1954 Series I 80-inch Minerva Blindé

Chassis number: 36635996

Registration number: 530 XWJ / 32176

Engine type: 2.0 Petrol

Gearbox type: 4 Speed Manual

Vehicle spec:

This vehicle was delivered from Solihull to Société Nouvelle Minerva SA, of Mortsel, Antwerp, Belgium, as a CKD (Completely Knocked Down) kit. Minerva assembled CKD kits in Belgium under licence from Rover, mostly for the Belgian military, with locally built all-steel bodies which had the distinctive angular sloping front wings.

This example was completed as a standard Minerva 80-inch soft-top and entered service in September 1954. It was converted to a Blindé (armoured) vehicle around 1961 and entered service with the UDA (Unité de Défense des Aérodromes), which was a highly trained specialist unit responsible for airfield defence.

This vehicle was equipped with Belgian .30 Cal FN machine guns and has armoured sides and WW2 SAS Jeep-style windscreens, radios, a Bazooka, various small arms and a host of other equipment, which means the all-up weight is very high for an 80-inch Land Rover.

The Minerva Blindé is a very rare vehicle, especially in the UK, and we were delighted to be able to add it to the Collection in May 2026. There is still much to do in terms of researching its history.