Highlights

Rare Belgian-built Land Rover under Rover licence
Ex-military vehicle with documented service from 1954-1993
Comprehensive recent restoration with full strip down and repaint
Authentic military provenance with Ministry of National Defence documentation
Little used since rebuild completion
Recent service and general mechanical refurbishment

The Appeal

During the war, European armies observed the Americans in their go-anywhere Willys Jeeps and liked what they saw. A lot. After the war, like many of its country peers, the Belgian army sent out a tender for 2,500 Willys Jeep-like all-terrain reconnaissance vehicles. Local manufacturer Minvera was determined the contract wouldn’t go to Willys itself. So it teamed up with Rover, for whom it was already building cars under contract, and the intriguing Land Rover Minerva was born.

Differing in key details from the homegrown Land Rover, most obvious in the way it looked, the Minerva was claimed to use 63% Belgian parts. Amongst many changes, it was built as a ‘CKD’ knock-down kit using a box welded chassis with no PTO hole provision in the rear cross-member. 5,921 were eventually supplied to the Belgian Army and this lovely example began its service in 1954.

It was finally decommissioned in December 1993 and arrived in the UK in 2017. It was extensively restored by the previous keeper and finished in red, one of the many colours available for the civilian versions of the Minerva. It is in really lovely condition, helped by the sparing use since it was completed.

The vendor acquired it in 2021. In 2023 it received over £1,000 of mechanical servicing and general checks including replacing gaskets and seals on the 2L engine. In great running order and looking fantastic, this is a very rare 4x4 and an interesting talking point wherever it goes.

History and Paperwork

First registered in 1954 with Belgian Armed Forces
Served with the Belgian Ministry of National Defence until December 1993
Imported to the UK in July 2017
Registered with DVLA as green which buyer may wish to update
Three UK registered keepers
Current keeper since October 2021
Previous keeper acquired it in 2018
V5 registration document present
Official letter from the Ministry of National Defence documenting military service from 1954-1993
Certificate verifying the authenticity of the translation included
DVLA importation documents
Odometer reading of 51,766 km when purchased and now showing 51,955 km
We are led to believe that the odometer reading is original
£1,083 mechanical servicing and other work in September 2023

The Condition

Recently repainted in bright red with silver chassis following a full strip down
This work was completed prior to 2021
Interior floor finished in satin black and appears free from notable defects
Front and rear seats re-trimmed in grey vinyl
Versatile seating with three front seats and two rear inward-facing bench seats
Original instruments retained and all reported to be working correctly
Fold-down windscreen with frame appearing free from obvious corrosion
Removable doors with replaced seals included
The passenger side sliding window is broken
Door tops are also included
Used but good condition canvas roof included with supporting hoop bars
Colour-coded wheels fitted with new matching tyres
Jerry can mounted on the rear is date stamped 1976
Spare wheel with new tyre mounted at the rear
The chassis appears to be free from welding repairs

The Mechanics

2.0-litre Land Rover petrol engine
4-speed manual transmission with high-low range
The vendor reports the vehicle starts readily with no concerning noises
Transmission is said to operate as it should with appropriate gear changes
Brakes have been completely overhauled with the necessary parts replaced
The vehicle is reported to brake effectively for a vehicle of this type and age
Recent 2023 service and check over as shown in photos

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