Lot details
Registration No: UN-REG
Chassis No: 9540
Mot Expiry: None

Minerva is generally rated as Belgium's top marque, the Antwerp firm making high quality automobiles longer than any of their rivals. Founded by Dutch journalist Sylvain de Jong, who had started making cycles in 1897 badged Minerva and Romania. Motorised-tricycles followed in 1899, whilst Minerva engines were employed by seventy-five motorcycle makers, including British Humber, Royal Enfield and Triumph, French Cottereau, and Adler and Opel in Germany. Minerva powered their own bikes 1901-1910, their first car in 1902, the 636cc Minervette from 1904, and larger 3.6-litre four-cylinder or 6250cc six-cylinder engined cars from 1906 and 1907 respectively.
This Minerva S with double phaeton bodywork providing open accommodation for four was originally exported from Europe to Australia. Made in 1909/10, this tourer is reckoned to be one of only two known and one of the oldest Minervas with the famous Knight sleeve-valve engine in existence.
Interestingly, too, it is probably one of the earliest installations of an Eveready electric starter located in a copper bowl at the front under the distinctive radiator, upon which is written Minerva rather than having the oval badge as on later Minervas. The De Soete designed mascot is particularly impressive, too, being one of the largest made for Minerva.
The declared to be 4084cc four-cylinder engine, though claimed to be unrestored, reportedly runs very well, with chassis, mechanical equipment and wheels also in good order. Red over black mudguards paintwork is said to be in good condition, hood fairly new and brown interior older, but also in good condition.
PLEASE NOTE: We have not had this vehicle running.