Classic cars with history: Minerva Type AM Limousine

It is not that common for our Classic Cars section to feature a pre-war car, but the Minerva AM is one of the largest and most luxurious vehicles ever built, with several details that still make it unique despite not being very well known.

The AM was launched by this now-defunct Belgian brand in 1927, and among its most distinguished customers were several members of the European royal families of the era. The Type AM had a wheelbase of nearly four metres and a total weight of almost 2,400 kilos. With such weight, the AM had to use dual rear wheels.

As was quite common at the time, engines had an almost exaggerated displacement, although the power output was not great. The Minerva AM was powered by a 150 hp, 5.9-litre straight-six, though power was not the most important thing, but rather the level of comfort it could offer. With three rows of seats, the second row featured swivelling seats, while the third row was not a proper seat as such, but a pleasant, cushioned sofa. Despite all this, Minervas were not the most expensive cars; their prices were slightly below those of the Rolls-Royce.

Minerva cars remained in production until approximately 1956. In its final years, the brand survived by building Land Rover under licence for the Belgian army, before eventually disappearing.

Sources | Concept Carz, Minerva Cars