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19-06-2015, 15:01

Production

Production started on 12 September 1951 with some 500 workers employed on the production line, from which 50 vehicles a day emerged. A total of 1,895 examples had been constructed by luly 1952 when the chassis number prefix was changed to reflect the 1953 model year.

Many brand-new vehicles were immediately put into war reserve store by the Belgian Army and were gradually introduced into service until well into the 1980s. This led to the curious situation of Belgian Army units being issued with ‘brand new’ 25-year old Minervas, often serving alongside newer Series III vehicles... and also led to some examples with very low mileage being sold to collectors in virtually‘as new’ condition.

A dispute between Minerva and Land Rover led to the cancellation of the production licence

Below: A small number of vehicles were converted for the parachute/ commando role, and armed with three FN MAG 7.62mm machine guns. The spare wheel was relocated to the front bumper in the style of the British ‘Pink Panthers'. (PW)

Right and below:

Commando vehicles were usually armed with either three Browning.30in calibre or three FN MAG 7.62mm machine guns, the two at the front protected behind an armoured screen. (PW)

In 1954, although a further 270 kits were supplied in 1955 and 630 in 1956 under the terms of a settlement agreed between the two companies. Total military production was 5,921, with a total of 9905 vehicles constructed before production ceased on 30 October 1956; of these, 8,805 were of the 80in (2.03m) wheelbase and 1,100 were 86in (2.18m).

By 1956 Minerva had produced all-terrain vehicles to the company’s designs; the TT-C20 (80in [2.03m]) and the TT-C22 (86in [2.18m])

Models were intended for the civilian market and the TT-M20 for the military. Despite a somewhat familiar appearance there was no Land Rover input. The vehicles were powered by a US-built Continental engine of 2,295cc producing 59bhp. Despite innovative unitary construction - engine, transmission and front axle mounted on a removable subframe - neither was particularly successful and the Belgian Army continued to buy Land Rovers direct from the UK.

Above: This Belgian Army M113 engineer fitters’ vehicle has lifted the Minerva to allow access to the chassis. (BM)

Technical specification Minerva TT; 1952 to 56

Typical nomenclature: truck, 1/4 ton, cargo, 4x4; Minerva ‘licence Rover’ TT.

Engine: Rover; four cylinders; l,997cc; overhead inlet valves, side exhaust; petrol; power output, 52bhp at 4,000rpm; torque, 101 Ibf/ft at l,500rpm. Transmission: 4FlRx2; part-time 4x4.

Steering: recirculating ball, worm and nut. Suspension: live axles on multi-leaf semi-elliptical springs; hydraulic double-acting telescopic shock absorbers.

Brakes: hydraulic; drums all-round.

Construction: steel ladder chassis with pressed/fabricated-steel body.

Electrical system: 12V or 24V.

Dimensions

Length, 141in (3.6m) (including jerrycan holder and rear-mounted spare wheel), 129in (3.3m) (without jerrycan and spare wheel).

Width, 61in (1.56m);

Height, 74in (1.9m) (top up), 55in (1.4m) (top and windscreen folded).

Wheelbase, 80in; 86in (2.03m; 2.18m).

Ground clearance, 8.Sin (22cm).

Weight, (unladen) 2,7061b (1,227kg), (laden) 4,0041b (1,816kg).

Performance

Average speed, (road) 55mph (88.5kph);