About John Staluppi

(Excerpt from April 2012 - Boat International.com) Literally and metaphorically, John Staluppi has spent much of his life with his head in an engine. As a 16 year old mechanic he fell in love with the muscular engines of classic 1950s cars, whose voluptuous forms convey speed, even when standing still. Later his mechanical passion was the basis on which he built an empire of auto dealerships, and of his sideline in super yachts, which he commissions, uses, charters and sells. His success has afforded him the luxury of a private museum, Cars of Dreams in North Palm Beach, Florida, filled with angular sedans and undulating soft tops. But a visitor is still most likely to find him out the back, tinkering with a carburetor.

April 2012 - Show Boats International Magazine

show boats international magazine john staluppi

3/22/12 - 3/25/12 - Palm Beach Boat Show

john staluppi diamonds are forever

diamonds are Fprever at Palm Beach Boat Show

ShowManagement.com - Newsletter

(Excerpt) The largest yachts expected at this years show is the New 200' Benetti Luxury Superyacht "Diamonds Are Forever". Shown by Ocean Independance, this true luxury yacht is a stunning collaboration between John Staluppi, Benetti Yachts, and Evan K. Marshall. This combined talent has resulted in a yacht that meets the most demanding charter requirements; palatial amounts of space, the very best materials and technology, the highest levels of service, and the utmost privacy and security. This fantastic yacht cruises in on Friday morning so come see the queen as she makes her appearance at Palm Harbor Ramp E; Slip E300A

3/26/2012 - YouTube.com - "Highlights Palm Beach Boat Show"

3/26/12 - Palm Beach Post.com - "Attendance, sales up at Palm Beach International Boat Show"

3/26/12 - Palm Beach Daily News - "At 200 feet, this 'Bond boat' was launched late last year and is largest yacht at Palm Beach boat show"

3/25/12 - WPTV.comAttendance, Sales Up at Palm Beach Boat Show

3/22/12 - pbpulse.com "boat-show-returns-to-west-palm-waterfront"

3/21/12 - Sunreef-Charter.com - "Our Experts On Board the Dazzling Benetti 60m Charter Megayacht DIAMONDS ARE FOREVER"

(Excerpt) Our charter experts had the priceless opportunity of touring Owner John Staluppi's newest Bond-themed megayacht, DIAMONDS ARE FOREVER. This Benetti 60-meter masterpiece is a dazzling tribute to the superb naval architecture and engineering synonymous with the brand, and the artistic genius of designer Evan Marshall . . .

John Staluppi Proud of Atlantic Auto Group for Continued Generosity to Cancer Foundations

John Staluppi watched as his two executives of the Atlantic Auto Group were honored at the Second Annual Gala Reception Dinner for the benefit of the National Kidney Registry. The National Kidney Registry has been facilitating living donor transplants since 2008. Both Atlantic Auto Group executives, John Pickett and Michael Brown, have offered their generous and enthusiastic support for the National Kidney Registry while overseeing the daily and long term operations of John Staluppi’s Atlantic Auto Group.

This second annual gala event also acknowledged other charitable donations given by John Staluppi and his company to two organizations: Hyundai Hope on Wheels and the Jimmy Fund. Both of these organizations are partnered together searching for a cure for pediatric and adult cancer.

“Hyundai’s multifaceted partnership with Dana-Farber [Cancer Institute] helps people of all ages fight cancer, while allowing us to capitalize on the Jimmy Fund’s commanding presence in the community,” said Bob Cosmai, former CEO of the Hyundai Corporation, in a quote on JimmyFund.org. “By serving as presenting sponsor of the Boston Marathon Jimmy Fund Walk, Hyundai increased its branding and marketing, while helping find cures for cancer.”

The Jimmy Fund organization was founded in 1948 and is currently located at the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, while the Hyundai Hope on Wheels campaign is intertwined with more than 800 Hyundai dealerships across the nation. Included are all three of John Staluppi’s Hyundai dealerships on Long Island who are continuing their efforts to support Hyundai Hope on Wheels.

John Staluppi is proud to say that his Atlantic Auto Group has supported all of these important and charitable organizations. There is no doubt of how vital work with these groups is for patients across the country, and John Staluppi wants to continue helping them make a difference.

John Staluppi and Atlantic Auto Group Host Gala Benefit for National Kidney Registry, a Fundraising Success and Honor

Excerpt from CNN article CNN: http://www.cnn.com/2009/SPORT/01/16/007.superyacht/

CNN -

LONDON, England (SuperYachtWorld) -- It may be named after the high-octane James Bond thriller, but does the latest offering from enthusiastic owner John Staluppi hit the jackpot?

"Casino Royale" was the first action-packed novel by Ian Fleming, paving the way for 11 more spy novels, and a catalogue of iconic films charting the adventures of secret service agent James Bond.

But it is also the name of the very latest in a line of yachts owned by renowned yachtsman John Staluppi -- all of which have been named after one of the Bond tales.

They may well be tributes to 007, but Octopussy, Moonraker, Thunderball and The World is Not Enough are also some of the fastest super-yachts in the world. Octopussy was built in Holland and Moonraker in Norway, both from plans drawn by the innovative Dutch naval architect Frank Mulder, and Thunderball was designed and built by Dennison Yachts in Fort Lauderdale.

To build The World is Not Enough, John Staluppi created Millennium Superyachts in 1998, a company that will be a vehicle for future builds.

It was the 43.5 meter Octopussy, which broke the 50-knot barrier 18 years ago, that first brought the name of New York-born John Staluppi to the attention of super-yacht aficionados.

The self-made millionaire left school when he was 16 and worked as a mechanic in Brooklyn before going on to start up one of the most successful car dealerships in North America -- a business that enabled him to indulge his passion for racing fast boats, and then later for super-yachts.

To build Casino Royale, Millennium Yachts has teamed up with the U.S.-based Christensen Shipyard, describing the new launch as the first of its "Millennium editions." Joe Foggia, president of Christensen Yachts, explains: "She has over 650 square meters of space on board -- that's a lot in a yacht of her length."

There is no doubt that John Staluppi 's vision and passion bring fervor and excitement to a sometimes conservative industry. There are, after all, few super-yachts aboard which you will be greeted by frosted-glass panels sweeping down the central staircase, delicately etched with the silhouettes of Bond girls.

And then there's the hand-crafted marble roulette wheel set into the deck of the main saloon, made by master-craftsman John Homchick at Christensen's dedicated marble shop.

Casino Royale isn't a speed machine to match his previous yachts but, as we chatted on the deck of his latest creation, it's very clear that John Staluppi is an owner who knows just want he wants. "So what is a super-yacht? To me, it has to be at least 120 feet overall with a master suite and four guest cabins, room for six crew and somewhere to carry the tender.

"And oh, one more thing, there has to be no teak. It adds weight, it's a pain in the butt to clean, and the oil gets all over my carpeting!" he says with a smile.

We look around and notice the acres of teak decking -- it's stunning, so perhaps this is one fight he's better off not winning.

The yacht's interior can best be described as richly ornate, yet it remains tasteful and has the softer touch of John's wife Jeanette in many of the living areas. Atop the divide sits a figurine of Vesper Lynd, the heroine from Casino Royale.

In terms of accommodation, John Staluppi has achieved the optimal use of space he was looking for. The master stateroom is accessed through the owner's study with its dark, leather-topped mahogany desk and cream leather office chair. As you may expect from a James Bond fan, a gargantuan double bed dominates with a mirrored deck head above.

Below, the guest cabins are equally well-appointed and appear to be larger than the standard on most yachts of this size. Forward are two twin cabins; astern of them two suites with king-size bunks and further aft is a stunning full-beam VIP suite.

Two decks above is the elegant sky lounge -- a party room if ever we saw one. The onyx-topped bar is seductively illuminated from within the stonework and is a perfect spot to enjoy a vodka martini or two. The lounge also has a custom-designed entertainment center and a huge cinema display with a movie library that fittingly boasts every one of Commander Bond's adventure-packed movies.

Captain Zak Matten is pleased with the work so far: "I really like the way her bow and stern thruster work together. I can get her to move just about anywhere. I can even shift her sideways when I have to.

"Her maiden voyage was up into Alaska and we encountered our fair share of lumpy seas. This U.S.-built boat can hold her head up when compared to European yachts; she is up there with the best."

She may not have the speed of her predecessors in the Staluppi stable but Casino Royale is nevertheless an impressive yacht. She will bring her owners a lot of enjoyment, and for the guests who are lucky enough to be invited on board the party is about to begin.

Quantum of Solace Yacht News

Motor Yacht Quantum of Solace
Quantum of Solace (formerly Alfa III) is a 52m (170.60ft) motor yacht, custom built in 2001 by Benetti. The yacht's interior has been designed by Zuretti and has exterior styling by Stefano Natucci. She was last refitted in 2009.

Quantum of Solace has a steel hull and aluminium superstructure with a beam of 9.30m (30.51ft) and a 3.40m (11.15ft) draft. This custom yacht is equipped with an ultra-modern stabilization system which reduces roll motion effect and results in a smoother more enjoyable cruising experience. She features 'at anchor stabilisers' which work at zero speed to increase onboard comfort at anchor and on rough waters. Quantum of Solace is built to comply to MCA and LR standards.