Minerva 1907 4 ½ HP 577cc 2 cyl sv 3511

Minerva 1907 4 ½ HP 577 cc side valve V-twin frame # 2081 engine # 30627

Mr Sylvain de Jong, born in Amsterdam on 5 January 1868, moved at the age of 13 with his parents and two brothers to Brussels. After working for some years as a journalist, he went to the U.K. to study the safety bicycle production. In 1895, S. de Jong, his brothers and other investors started a factory in Antwerp, to produce and repair bicycles. For these bicycles, they chose the name “Mercury”. Only two years later, after a dispute with the other investors, On October 15, 1897 S. de Jong created “S. de Jong & Cie”. This time he selected the name “Minerva” for the new plant in Antwerp. Minerva, the Roman goddess, daughter of Jupiter, sprang from the head of her father, fully grown and in full armour. She was the patron of warriors, goddess of knowledge and wisdom and goddess of artisans and industry. Sylvain de Jong anticipated on a slackening bicycle market and in February 1899 he announced the production of light cars (voiturettes) and motorcycles.
In 1900, the firm bought an engine from the Neuchâtel – Swiss based Zürcher & Lüthi. Zürcher & Lüthi did not only build the engines, they also patented the bicycle set-up. The engines were “clamped to the framing” (clip-on). S. de Jong & Co. bought the license and started the production of all parts needed to turn a Minerva bicyclette into a Minerva motocyclette. Due to the reliability of the clip-on engine, success was immediate. In 1905 Minerva introduced a V-twin for sale to the public. The clip-on had been deleted from the production program. 1907 was the last year of the square-shaped petrol tank; for the 1908 model year a cylindrical type of tank was introduced. For model year 1907 four models were marketed, three singles of 254, 345 and 433 cc and a V-twin of 577 cc. The 4 ½ HP twin has bore x stroke of 70×75 mm and had detachable cylinder heads. In 1908 a second V-twin would become available, with a capacity of 855 cc.
Since 1904 the production of cars had taken more and more of the factory potential. Therefore, during the years 1904 till 1907, the production of motorcycles decreased to a mere 1500 per year and in 1908 or 1909 the production of motorcycles was stopped. A total of about 35,000 Minerva motorcycles left the factory. Ads indicate that at least till 1910 Minerva motorcycles were available. (For more Minerva information: www.minerva-motocyclettes.com)

This exceptionally rare 1907 Minerva V-twin was restored in the late 1980s by Scottish enthousiast Mr. Allan Gibson. In January 1987 a Pioneer certificate was obtained and in March the Minerva was registered for the road. The machine was actively campaigned for a short time, and then dry-stored till 2003, when it was acquired by the former owner. He recommissioned the machine and rode it in the 2007 Isle of Man Centenary TT 1907 Re-enactment, covering two laps of the original 15-mile St John’s course. He was rider number 6, and the Dunlop Tyres-sponsored tabard, vehicle pass, re-enactment programme listing him as entrant 6, and official TT race guide are all included with the machine. Additional documentation has been added, including a V5C, MoTs from various years, a photostat copy of a 1906 Minerva brochure and old tax discs. The history file contains various correspondence with veteran motorcycle luminaries such as Derek Foxton, Willem Pol, and Geoff Morrisand also an invoice for £7,149 for engine work and parts carried out in 2022.