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1931 Minerva L Collapsible Town Cabriolet
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1931 Minerva L Collapsible Town Cabriolet | March 21, 2008
The Minerva was a prominent Belgian luxury automobile manufactured from 1902 until 1938. This is one-off Minerva with a Knight 6.6 liter 8-cylinder engine and outstanding coachwork by Hibbard and Darrin.

Following WWI, the Minerva’s popularity and reputation grew not only in Europe, but also in the United States. Minerva’s clientele included the kings of Belgium, Sweden and Norway; Henry Ford; and, in the case of this car, Gypsy Rose Lee. Gypsy Rose Lee was an American actress, burlesque entertainer, and writer whose 1957 memoir was made into the stage musical and film Gypsy. Gypsy Rose specifically ordered the gold plating on the grill and brightwork for her car.

Minervas used American-made Knight Engines. The Knight motor used double sleeve valves and ran almost silently. During the classic era, due in part to the Knight engines, Minervas had many of the same qualities as the Rolls-Royce, but were slightly less expensive. Although the company produced small cars too, it was the large cars, such as this example, that continued to be an automaker’s specialty. In1930 the straight eight was introduced in two sizes; the 6.6-liter AL and the 4-liter AP.

In the 70s and 80s this Gypsy Lee Minerva was part of the Harrah Collection in Reno. Years later it was later part of the Imperial Palace Collection in Las Vegas.
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