Minerva at Auto Rai – Amsterdam Motor Show.
After World War
I, during which Sylvain de Jong and his engineers had headed to
Amsterdam where they kept on developing parts, they returned to
restart the production of luxury cars in 1920 with 20CV 3.6 litre
4 cylinder and 30CV 5.3 litre six cylinder models. The
constructor's star rose in the United States as well where
American filmstars, politicians and industrials liked the cars.
The car had the same qualities as the Rolls-Royce, but was a
little cheaper. In 1923 smaller models were introduced with the 2
litre four cylinder 15CV and 3.4 litre six cylinder 20CV with
standard four wheel brakes. For 1927 there was a replacement for
the 30CV with the 6 litre AK and also a new 2 litre six with the
12-14. Large cars continued to be something of a speciality 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.
32 CV carroserie De Gaston Grummer
Minerva carrosserie D'Ieteren circa 1930
40 CV Limousine DeVille by Van Den Plas
6-Litre Speed Six Drophead Coupe body by Van Den Plas.