Beschreibung:

Minerva – the ‘Goddess of Automobiles’ – was the finest make produced by Belgium’s once vibrant motor industry. One of the select aristocracy of motoring that included such patrician marques as Rolls-Royce, Hispano-Suiza, Isotta Fraschini, Cadillac and Pierce Arrow, Minerva Motors, Sté. Anonyme originated with the cycle business run by the energetic Sylvain de Jong, a Dutchman living in Antwerp. The first Minerva appeared around the turn of the century, (variously quoted as 1899 through to 1902), and featured a twin-cylinder engine with chain-drive, following Panhard design in all major respects. Minerva enjoyed singular success in their home country and in their principal export market, England, where the enterprising London agent, David Citroen, (cousin of car maker André Citroen), spearheaded their marketing and joined de Jong on the Board of a recapitalised Minerva Motors, Sté Anonyme in 1903. A landmark year for Minerva was 1908 when they exhibited at the Brussels Salon a 38hp car with Charles Yale Knight’s double-sleeve valve engine and from 1910 onwards the smooth and silent sleeve-valve engine was to be a feature of all Minerva motor cars. 1923 saw four production models listed from this renowned manufacturer, two 4-cylinder and two 6-cylinder cars, the Type AB being powered by a six-cylinder engine with a treasury rating of 23.8hp, driving through a multi-plate clutch and four-speed and reverse gearbox, a car comparable in most respects with Rolls-Royce’s 20hp model. This most versatile Type AB carries fully convertible Salamanca coachwork, enabling the car to be used in either fully open or fully enclosed positions, only the chauffeur being mildly exposed to the elements, although enjoying the protection of canopy and windscreen. The coachwork features a wind-down division with fold-down side pillars and landaulette-style rear hood, allowing ready conversion to full tourer specification. The coachwork is presented in blue livery with black wings and valances and silver painted wheels. Driving equipment includes Willocq and Bottin headlamps with matching auxiliary lamps and two-piece, double-hinged windscreen with a most practical luggage grid fitted to the rear and twin side-mounted spare wheels. The car retains its original black leather to the chauffeur’s compartment, which now perhaps will benefit from refurbishment, and the rear compartment is upholstered in cloth and furnished with two occasional seats. The dashboard carries period instrumentation including a Scintilla switch panel and Jaeger speedometer. A Minerva Goddess mascot adorns the radiator cap. The car was acquired for the Max Lips Collection in 1975. It has seen minimal use in recent years and the usual careful recommissioning is recommended.