 1930 AL |
 |  |  |  |  |
 |  |  |  |  |
 |
1931 Minerva 8 AL news, pictures, and information | ||
| Tweet | ||
 |  |  | Touring Sedan Coachwork: Rollston & Company Chassis Num: 80105 |
| Sold for $750,867 (€526,400) at 2011 RM Auctions. | |||
The Belgian Minerva company enjoyed a strong following in America, thanks to their elegant and refined motorcars. They were a favorite with high society, from film stars to politicians. Their finest model was the 6.6-liter straight-eight Type AL, was acclaimed as 'one of the most prestigious automobiles ever produced.' The sleeve-valve engine offered 120 horsepower, had dual ignition and a crankshaft carried in nine main bearings. They had an Adex Stabilisator, one of the earliest anti-roll devices, making the Type AL an impeccable road-handling vehicle. The 152-inch wheelbase was one of the longest on the market and was a suitable platform for coachbuilders to construct some of their finest work.
Timing, however, was not kind to the Belgian concern. Like many other automakers, they found it difficult to thrive during the Wall Street Crash in 1929 and sales quickly fell away. As a result, it is believed that around 50 examples of the Type AL were built.
The Rollston Coachbuilders were some of the most respected, and expensive builders of their time. The bodies they built were complex and built to last. They were well designed and structurally efficient.
This car has been owned by D. Cameron Peck and Dr. Gerald A. Rolph. Dr. Rolph kept the car for approximately 20 years before selling it at auction in Geneva in 1997. It was sold across the Atlantic and shortly after it received a Concours restoration. When completed the Minerva passed to Charles Morse of Washington State, with whom it was successfully campaigned at a number of Concours events around the country. Accolades included its Best in Class at the Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance in 1998 and awards at Meadowbrook Hall, Amelia Island and the Louis Vuitton Classic at Rockefeller Center.
Since that time, the car has changed owners a few more times.
In 2013, the car was offered for sale at Bonhams Auction in Scottsdale, Arizona. It was estimated to sell for $900,000 - $1,000,000. Bidding failed to satisfy the vehicle's reserve and it would leave the auction unsold.
By Daniel Vaughan | Feb 2013
| | | Touring Sedan Coachwork: Rollston & Company Chassis Num: 80105 |
| Sold for $750,867 (€526,400) at 2011 RM Auctions. | |||
| The Mercedes Benz S Class: automobile comfort of the highest standard | |
 | • S Class: the epitome of automobile comfort • Every generation of vehicles provides ground-breaking solutions to the expectations of customers with regard to comfort The history of the Mercedes Benz S Class shows that automobile comfort is far more than just a luxurious ambiance, size and performance. In fact it is far more the intelligent support of the driver and passengers through innovative technical solutions providing answers to current questions and requirements which contribute to t...[Read more...] |
| Mercedes-Benz Classic at the 2012 Grossglockner Grand Prix | |
 | • Revival of the mountain race from the 1930s • Mercedes-Benz SSK and W 125 at the start • 92 bends, 14 hairpins, 15 kilometres and a 1300-metre altitude difference The Grossglockner mountain race was one of the most prestigious motor sports events of the 1930s. This year it will be revived with the 2012 Grossglockner Grand Prix to be held from 20 to 22 September 2012 and Mercedes-Benz will be there with some famous cars. In 1938, the brand took part for the first time. As a classic c...[Read more...] |
| Final Countdown Underway to RM's Michigan Sale | |
 | RM Auctions, the official auction house of the Concours d'Elegance of America, has secured a wonderful selection of classic automobiles for its St. John's sale, July 28, in Plymouth, Michigan. Hosted on the beautiful grounds of the Inn at St. John's, the single-day sale is a mainstay on the auction concours circuit and boasts a reputation for including exceptional American classics. The upcoming sale, featuring more than 70 quality collector cars, presents nearly a century of American and Eu...[Read more...] |
| The Champion in Touring Car Racing : The BMW M3 | |
 | In August 1985, a rumour surfaced in motor magazine Auto-Deutschland which emanated from a new sports car. An A Group Car from BMW that was a thoroughbred racing car according to the rules but was also to be produced in a version licensed to drive on open roads for everyday use. Speculation about this dream car that could take to normal roads and was intended for the 'Most dynamic among BMW 3 Series drivers' was right on target. But the pundits missed the mark about the motor-sport car by a mile...[Read more...] |
| Auctions America By RM's 2012 Auburn Spring Auction | |
 | 'Variety' is the buzzword for this year's Auctions America by RM June 1-3 Auburn Spring auction, which will offer a huge range of collector vehicles and an enormous private collection of automotive memorabilia. More than 600 American muscle cars, Classics, foreign sports cars and hot rods will cross the block at the historic Auburn Auction Park, the company's national headquarters in Auburn, Indiana. 'Last year was our first spring event at the park,' said Auctions America by RM's President ...[Read more...] |
| AF AL |
| 1930 AL |
