Minerva (automobile)

Minerva was a Belgian business specialising in bicycles, motorbikes, and later automobiles active between 1897 and 1958.

Founded by Dutchman Sylvain de Jong, the company initially produced safety bicycles before branching out into light cars and motorized bicycles in 1900. By 1902, Minerva added luxury cars to its lineup. The brand achieved fame due to the quality and quietness of its Knight Engines and was favored by royalty and influential people like Henry Ford. Despite success, financial struggles during the 1930s led to its merger with Impéria Automobiles, another Belgian manufacturer.

After World War II, Minerva was revived and produced a version of the Land Rover under license for the Belgian Army until 1954. A fallout with Land Rover and subsequent court case led to the end of this partnership. The company made attempts to re-enter the car market, and finally became defunct in 1958.

History

In 1883, a young Dutchman, Sylvain de Jong (1868–1928) settled in Antwerp, Belgium.

Bicycles and motorcycles

Automobiles

In 1902 De Jong added cars to his production as well with a 6 hp four-cylinder model. In 1903 he founded Société Anonyme Minerva Motors in Berchem (Antwerp). Volume car production began in 1904 with a range of two-, three- and four-cylinder models with chain drive and metal clad wooden chassis and the Minervette cyclecar. The 8-litre Kaiserpreis won the Belgian Circuit des Ardennes race in 1907. Charles S Rolls (of future Rolls-Royce fame) was a Minerva dealer in England selling the 2.9-litre 14 hp. The most important market for the manufacturer remained England, where at £105 the small 636 cc single-cylinder Minervette was the cheapest car on the market, followed by the Netherlands and France.

In 1908, Minerva obtained a worldwide Knight Engine license. The Knight motor, developed by Charles Yale Knight in the United States, used double sleeve valves and ran almost silently. All future Minervas would use these engines. Sporting successes continued with the new engines including the Austrian Alpine Trials and Swedish Winter Trials. Customers for the Minerva would include kings of Belgium, Sweden and Norway, Henry Ford and the Impressionist Artist Anna Boch.[6]

During World War I Sylvain de Jong and his engineers were based in Amsterdam where they maintained development of their automobiles. Minerva cars were used for hit and run attacks against the Germans initially with rifle fire and light machine guns from simply protected open topped vehicles. These vehicles became increasingly sophisticated until trench warfare robbed them of the mobility needed for their hit and run tactics.

In 1920, they returned to Belgium to restart the production of luxury cars with the 20CV 3.6-litre four-cylinder and 30CV 5.3-litre six-cylinder models.[7] The manufacturer's star rose not only in Europe, but in the United States as well where American film stars, politicians and industrialists appreciated the cars. The Minerva had the same quality as the Rolls-Royce, but was slightly less expensive. Due to the success, in 1922 a second factory apart from the primary one in Berchem was built in Mortsel for coachbuilding. In 1923, smaller models were introduced; the 2-litre four-cylinder 15CV and 3.4-litre six-cylinder 20CV with standard four-wheel brakes.[7] The Minerva AC was produced from 1924 to 1927.[8] In 1927, the 30CV was replaced with the 6-litre AK and also a new 2-litre six, the 12-14, was introduced. Large cars continued to be a specialty of Minerva's, and in 1930 the then almost-compulsory-for-the-time straight eight was introduced in two sizes; the 6.6-litre AL and the 4-litre AP.[7] The last Minerva was the 2-litre M4 of 1934 but it did not sell well.

fate	Sold to Rheinmetall
foundation	(1897)
founder	Sylvain de Jong
defunct	1958
location city	Antwerp
location country	Belgium
industry	automobiles
products	bicycles, motorcycles, automobiles

Minerva (automobile)

History

Bicycles and motorcycles

Automobiles

1930s crisis and restructuring

Land Rover production

Name revival in 2013

External links

See also

References