Belgian Torque Monster: The Minerva AF 32 CV Sport Sedan

[@memorimusic420]

As a Belgian who has sat in one and worked on an AK 32CV Landaulette, this is absolutely phenomenal! I also remembered the steering being so insanely heavy to the point that we had to thug it with two people to move it when parked lmao. Also Belguim had over 150 car manufacturers in the 20s.

[@mrdanforth3744]

I knew an old time collector who drove a sleeve valve 1924 Willys Knight 4 cylinder as a tour car in the 1960s. He told me in a day's driving it burned a quart of oil in the first 60 miles, after that, nothing. Next day, a quart in sixty miles, then nothing. It took that long for the engine to completely warm up.

[@MrIslandman59]

Absolutely beautiful car and pretty impressive from a company that started out building bicycles, thanks Donald!

[@firstnamelastname8060]

You've got some Minerva, driving a car like that, Donald. Man, you're just Minerva AF.

[@jamesellsworth9673]

It is a pleasure to follow along as someone so personable, DAPPER, and eloquent as you shares your knowledge. Years ago, we viewed a couple of Minervas in Brussels. I knew nothing about them at the time and was surprised that a small state like Belgium had an important 'ground-up' motoring manufacturer. This restoration showcases the marque.

[@AkioWasRight]

I love the bow-style windshield.

[@AudrainMuseumNetwork]

It is a great look, isn't it?

[@AkioWasRight]

@@AudrainMuseumNetwork Yes, it is. Thank you for the reply.

[@alexkalish8288]

Le Baron was designing in Paris from 1925 though Tim Hibbert was not with them when this car was designed, and their office was in New York as you say . It looks very Dietrich. That is a superb automobile and it was very well taken care of. I'm not sure where the body for this car was built ? A real classic era star.

[@TakashiAmanoOriginal]

I don’t see two LeBarons fredy

[@thereisnospoon52]

Hello Donald and thank you for these videos. I hope in the future you at least briefly show the entire car. Under the hood, in the back seat, a close up of the dash and a look in the trunk. Just a quick look would be appreciated.

[@melvinburwell8202]

Beautiful car. Don't remember ever seeing this car. Stunning Interior. Absolutely gorgeous. Made for the elite of the day. Only the Audrain.👍🏁❤️🧡😎

[@johndavey72]

Good evening Donald . Certainly a car of 2 characters . Elegantly proportioned but a devil to drive ! I could sense your constant battle to keep this laviathan on the road . Thankyou Donald.

[@plap.]

Just to confirm it is a privilege. You have many viewers dream job for sure.

[@radioguy1620]

Must say it seems very quiet, well done video as well.

[@AudrainMuseumNetwork]

A rolling cocoon!

[@MarkHenion-pd9qs]

Hello Donald, such a great automobile! I love to see it in action! Nice to see it at Pebble Beach, but on the back roads where it belongs is tremendous! Thanks

[@michelstockhem5124]

The Minervas and their velvet-silent Knight engine had a special prestige in my father's family -yet it has been loyal to... American cars from the 30's to 1973, i.e. my childhood. My grandfather was a member of the 300 soldiers expeditionary corps which, in 1915 (Belgian army being stuck in a small part of our country, resisting to German occupier), was sent to help Russian allies on the East front. 12 armoured Minervas (Auto-Canons Mitrailleuses) were the stars of the expedition -only one failed in the operations which lasted until 1917. The corps was dismantled because of the soviet revolution, and the cars destroyed to avoid these to be used in what had all the appearance of a civil war. Having to treat with all local soviets, the 300 soldiers came back to Belgium in 1918... via Vladivostok (transsiberian line) and the United States, as the road to the West was made impossible! Crossing the USA was made by train, no more Minervas to show, but it became an incredible "tour du monde" indeed! The big Minervas were incredibly expensive and were always reserved to veeeery healthy customers -by the way, you must know that their first foreign market was UK, and the first importer Charles Rolls himself ;-).

[@philhawley1219]

A brief but very interesting history lesson. Every day I love to hear something new every day. Thank you.

[@marcoluoma3770]

Thanks for another fun drive. I’m really loving this short-drive series where we get Donald's take on various cars. Thanks again.

[@pfkinsey]

Quite a car. I saw this car in the garage of the owner in Perkasie, PA just before it was shipped to Hershey to be sold at auction. It was in the collection of Drew Lewis, former Secretary of Transportation.

[@dcoop005]

That is a beauty of a car.

[@V8_screw_electric_cars]

Never heard of that make before, very interesting.

[@joshbrailsford]

Very elegant!

[@jamesonpace726]

Beautiful, just beautiful....

[@tedcoates402]

good show but would have enjoyed more interior information pictures

[@bennyhannover9361]

Mercedes produced also a sleeve valve model between 1908 and 1923 there was a 30 bhp model available that was extremely popular as a taxicab in Berlin during the early twenties and the tens …

[@soyounoat2814]

I'm hoping that replacement parts for my Minerva will be available at my local NAPA store.

[@AudrainMuseumNetwork]

Let us know!

[@zerkfiter]

And we in turn are privileged to ride with you Donald.TX

[@AudrainMuseumNetwork]

Thank you for enjoying our videos!

[@dominiqueviari5261]

My grandfather owned one in the early thirties, but we have only a couple of pictures left....

[@AudrainMuseumNetwork]

Thank you for sharing! Stay tuned for tomorrow's video which features our Minerva at the 2024 Amelia Island Concours

[@bennyhannover9361]

The mayor of Zurich in Switzerland had his 1929 Minerva still in Service at 1945 after WW2 until the early fifties…

[@paulhitchcock9760]

Two other makes of comparable quality were Excelsior and Metallurgique. Both were probably more "high end" than Imperia.

[@bennyhannover9361]

The Daimler Double Six from 1930 and the sixcylinder Daimler 48 HP the flying Carpet…

[@sparkplug0000]

That’s quite a steering wheel. Donald looks like a little kid who swiped dad’s car for a joyride.

[@TheBTG88]

That’s a engine that only has to turn at low revs to push that large car.

[@edsyphan3425]

Donald is not a short man, but he has to look through the steering wheel on this car.

[@chriscadman6379]

Hello.I own a guitar from 1938 called a Minerva.

[@AudrainMuseumNetwork]

Wow, that's quite uncommon!

[@larrysmith6797]

Willl someone at the Audrain Museum please give Donald Osborne a raise so he can afford a pillow to sit on?

[@Homieguerneville]

i feel sorry for Donald, he has to drive these old cars.....

[@TACOCAT....]

I sense displeasure from Donald. No smiles while driving....at all. More of a historic piece than a useable luxury car.

[@AudrainMuseumNetwork]

Focus while working with very heavy steering, yes. Displeasure, not an ounce. It was all smiles when we returned to the garage and reflected on the drive!

[@TACOCAT....]

@@AudrainMuseumNetwork Good....I hope it drives as wonderful as it looks...thank you for the reply