1925 Minerva AC Tourer

The Minerva Company was a manufacturer of quality touring cars that rose to fame during the first decade of the last century. Their products were promoted and gained respect in motorsports with several noteworthy successes. These included an outright win in the 1906 Kaiserpreis Event with Lord Brabazon driving. Before the outbreak of the First World War, Minerva's also performed well in the grueling Tourist Trophy held on the Isle of Man to circumvent Britain's mainland ban on racing on public roads.

Minerva was one of the early exponents of the sleeve valve engine, licensing the technology from Knight Engines. During the 1920s, the engines became popular in Europe and across the Atlantic Ocean in America due to their smooth operating and silent products.

By the mid-1920s, they offered the four-cylinder 15CV and the 6-cylinder 20CV and 30CV models, all powered by sleeve valve engines. The 30CV in standard chassis length became the company's most popular product and was given many different body styles clothed by coachbuilders from around the world.

The Minerva's offered a similar product, with nearly equal quality, to the Rolls-Royce Company, but at a slightly lower price.

This Minerva AC is fitted with the largest 30CV, six-cylinder engine. It was owned, when new, by the celebrated Hutton family. The Hutton fortune was inherited from department store magnate F.W. Woolworth.

This Tourer is fitted with large Stephen Grebel headlamps. It was shipped in bare chassis form to the United States, where it was bodied by the Rollston Company of New York. Since then, the car has received a restoration and is now finished in White and riding on chromed wheels. Inside, there is a blue leather interior.

It is believed that this elegant Touring car is one of only 40 left worldwide of this chassis type.

In 2012, the car was offered for sale at Coys 'Legende et Passion' Monaco sale, where it was estimated to sell for €200.000 - €250.000.

By Daniel Vaughan | Jul 2012