1928 AF Transformable  |
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1927 Minerva AFS news, pictures, and information | ||
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 |  |  | Roadster Coachwork: d'Leteren Freres Chassis Num: 55979 Engine Num: 56047 |
This Minerva Roadster was constructed in 1927 as an 'S' or Sport model. The AFS featured a shortened chassis, a 5925cc Double Sleeve-Valve six-cylinder engine with a Zenith dual carburetor and rated at 32 CV. They received sporting coachwork, and in this case, the work was done by the Belgian house d'Ieteren Frères. It was given a low-raked windshield and sharply curved light fenders. It has a long curve of the tail and a low top.
The early history of this automobile is unknown. By 1985, it was in the care of Reginald P. Ghys of Antwerp, Belgium. The car has never been fully disassembled and remains very original.
In 2010, the car was purchased by the present owner.
In 2011, the car was offered for sale at the Gooding & Company auction held in Pebble Beach, CA. It was estimated to sell for $485,000-$585,000. Bidding failed to satisfy the vehicle's reserve and it would leave the auction unsold.
By Daniel Vaughan | Aug 2012
Sylvain De Jong, a Dutchman living in Antwerp, Belgium, began building motorized and non-motorized bicycles in 1897. By the early 1900s, De Jong began constructing automobiles and, by 1903, he formed Minerva Motors Société Anonyme. A few years later, Minerva obtained a license from Charles Knight for their double sleeve-valve engine. The sleeve valve engine design was a revolutionary concept that dropped engine noise substantially over the conventional combustion engine. The near-silent engine was to be fitted into all Minerva models to follow and most of the vehicles were given formal coachwork. Some of the Minerva's were built to participate in racing events. Two notable and victorious endeavors were at the Austrian Alpine Trials and the Swedish Winter Trials.
During the 1920s, Minerva offered their models with six-cylinder engines in varying displacement and power ratings. In 1926, the company introduced their AF models which featured a 5.3-liter, six-cylinder powerplant rated at 30 cv. After the company joined forces with Fabrique Nationale (FN) in 1927, the sales and revenue increased for these two large Belgian automobile manufacturers, partially through refinement of the AF. The engines received a boost in power, with an increase to six-liters.
In 1930, the company introduced straight eight that was available in two sizes, the 6.6-liter AL and the 4 liter AP. The last Minerva was the 2-liter M4 of 1934 but unfortuntaely, it was not a strong seller. The slow sales and the financial crisis of the 1930s forced the company to restructure as Société Nouvelle Minerva but in 1934 merged with the other major Belgian constructor Imperia. Imperia continued to make Minervas for a year and the AP until 1938 and from 1937 badged some of their cars and trucks for export to England and France as Minerva-Imperias. Just prior to World War II, a group of businessmen from Verviers bought out Minerva.
By Daniel Vaughan | Nov 2011
For more information and related vehicles, click hereDuring the 1920s, Minerva offered their models with six-cylinder engines in varying displacement and power ratings. In 1926, the company introduced their AF models which featured a 5.3-liter, six-cylinder powerplant rated at 30 cv. After the company joined forces with Fabrique Nationale (FN) in 1927, the sales and revenue increased for these two large Belgian automobile manufacturers, partially through refinement of the AF. The engines received a boost in power, with an increase to six-liters.
In 1930, the company introduced straight eight that was available in two sizes, the 6.6-liter AL and the 4 liter AP. The last Minerva was the 2-liter M4 of 1934 but unfortuntaely, it was not a strong seller. The slow sales and the financial crisis of the 1930s forced the company to restructure as Société Nouvelle Minerva but in 1934 merged with the other major Belgian constructor Imperia. Imperia continued to make Minervas for a year and the AP until 1938 and from 1937 badged some of their cars and trucks for export to England and France as Minerva-Imperias. Just prior to World War II, a group of businessmen from Verviers bought out Minerva.
By Daniel Vaughan | Nov 2011
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1927| AF AL |
| 1928 AF Transformable |
