The increasing popularity of classic cars in Qatar underlines the enthusiasm and passion for history of such valuable and timeless objects, Gulf Qatari Classic Cars Association vice-chairman Omar Alfardan has said.
“We see the love for luxury classic cars continuously growing in Qatar,” he told on the sidelines of the Qatar Classic Cars Contest & Exhibition 2020, which will conclude Saturday.
The four-day event is taking place at The Pearl-Qatar’s Porto Arabia Boardwalk, under the patronage of HE the Minister of Culture and Sports Salah bin Ghanem bin Nasser al-Ali and organised by Gulf Qatari Classic Cars Association in partnership with United Development Company (UDC).
The opening ceremony was also attended by HE Sheikh Faisal bin Qassim al-Thani, chairman of the Gulf Qatari Classic Cars Association; and Ibrahim Jassim al-Othman, UDC president & CEO and member of the Board; classic cars enthusiasts and other guests.
Alfardan noted that several enthusiasts, who appreciate luxury and the history of these automobiles, are participating in this one-of-its-kind exhibition, which he announced will be held annually.
“We see growth, we see passion and we see young people even investing in these beautiful cars. If you are owner of today’s Rolls-Royce, suddenly you start reading and knowing more about its history,” he said.
Alfardan added that many of manufacturers also dig deeper into the cars’ past to bring it up and justify the value of the commodity they produce.
Apart from exhibiting 11 classic cars at the event, including Rolls-Royce, Ferrari, BMW, and Maserati cars, among others, he also owns a classic cars museum, Letbelah, which houses a prized collection of vintage cars.
“It is an important museum, hosting more than a hundred cars, some as old as 1911, the first car I have there, it was owned by George the Fifth, King of England and he was crowned in that car,” Alfardan said.
He described “The Pearl-Qatar is a magnificent site for such an event and we are astonished that 50 cars of such magnitude and value have been displayed in the first edition of the Qatar Classic Cars Contest & Exhibition.”
Some of the cars being exhibited include classic models from Ferrari, Maserati, Rolls-Royce, BMW, Datsun, Lotus, Mercedes-Benz, Cadillac, Buick and Ford, among others.
The show includes a 1962 Studebaker GT Hawk (V8 4.8-litre engine), considered as “one of the greatest under-the-gun automotive styling achievements of all time”; a 1980 Daimler known as Britain’s oldest car manufacturer) DS420 Limousine (V6 4.6-litre engine), which replaced the DR450 and its customers included HM Queen Elizabeth, King Hussain of Jordan, Prince Rainier III of Monaco, Duke Jean of Luxemburg, Sultan Qaboos of Oman, Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah of Brunei, and Prince Charles, among others; 1956 Ford Thunderbird (Y-Block V8 4.8-litre engine) – a Ford first with a 12-volt electrical system – and its sales came in at 16,158 units; 1940 Buick Special Cabriolet (V8 5.4-litre engine), a uniquely exclusive classic from the late pre-war era and one its main features is its “Dynaflash 8” 248 CI Straight-8 engine, which used valve-in-head technology before most competitors; and the 1954 Cadillac Eldorado Convertible (V8 5.4-litre engine).
Organisers said the exhibition aims to encourage investment in classic cars to underline its history in the country, in addition to introducing the various stages that the classic car industry has gone through, and encouraging the hobby of acquiring classic cars.
“To this end, the exhibition will "represent a tourist attraction and a valuable opportunity to enhance the role of the private sector in promoting tourism in the country in various sectors", according to a statement from the organisers.
The four-day event is taking place at The Pearl-Qatar’s Porto Arabia Boardwalk, under the patronage of HE the Minister of Culture and Sports Salah bin Ghanem bin Nasser al-Ali and organised by Gulf Qatari Classic Cars Association in partnership with United Development Company (UDC).
The opening ceremony was also attended by HE Sheikh Faisal bin Qassim al-Thani, chairman of the Gulf Qatari Classic Cars Association; and Ibrahim Jassim al-Othman, UDC president & CEO and member of the Board; classic cars enthusiasts and other guests.
Alfardan noted that several enthusiasts, who appreciate luxury and the history of these automobiles, are participating in this one-of-its-kind exhibition, which he announced will be held annually.
A view of the exhibition at The Pearl-Qatar’s Porto Arabia Boardwalk. PICTURE: Jayan Orma
Some of the cars being exhibited include classic models from Ferrari, Maserati, Rolls-Royce, BMW, Datsun, Lotus, Mercedes-Benz, Cadillac, Buick and Ford, among others. PICTURE: Jayan Orma
Vintage BMW cars on display at the exhibition. PICTURE: Joey Aguilar
Vintage BMW cars on display at the exhibition. PICTURE: Joey Aguilar
A classic Ferrari on show. PICTURE: Jayan Orma
Several classic Mercedes-Benz cars on show at the exhibition. PICTURE: Jayan Orma
A classic Rolls-Royce on display at the exhibition. PICTURE: Jayan Orma
The exhibition showcases a 1954 Cadillac Eldorado Convertible (V8 5.4-litre engine). PICTURE: Joey Aguilar
Several classic cars from Letbelah museum on show. PICTURE: Jayan Orma
Some of the cars being exhibited include classic models from Ferrari, Maserati, Rolls-Royce, BMW, Datsun, Lotus, Mercedes-Benz, Cadillac, Buick and Ford, among others. PICTURE: Jayan Orma
Vintage BMW cars on display at the exhibition. PICTURE: Joey Aguilar
A classic Ferrari on show. PICTURE: Jayan Orma
Several classic Mercedes-Benz cars on show at the exhibition. PICTURE: Jayan Orma
A classic Rolls-Royce on display at the exhibition. PICTURE: Jayan Orma
The exhibition showcases a 1954 Cadillac Eldorado Convertible (V8 5.4-litre engine). PICTURE: Joey Aguilar
Several classic cars from Letbelah museum on show. PICTURE: Jayan Orma
“We see growth, we see passion and we see young people even investing in these beautiful cars. If you are owner of today’s Rolls-Royce, suddenly you start reading and knowing more about its history,” he said.
Alfardan added that many of manufacturers also dig deeper into the cars’ past to bring it up and justify the value of the commodity they produce.
Apart from exhibiting 11 classic cars at the event, including Rolls-Royce, Ferrari, BMW, and Maserati cars, among others, he also owns a classic cars museum, Letbelah, which houses a prized collection of vintage cars.
“It is an important museum, hosting more than a hundred cars, some as old as 1911, the first car I have there, it was owned by George the Fifth, King of England and he was crowned in that car,” Alfardan said.
He described “The Pearl-Qatar is a magnificent site for such an event and we are astonished that 50 cars of such magnitude and value have been displayed in the first edition of the Qatar Classic Cars Contest & Exhibition.”
Some of the cars being exhibited include classic models from Ferrari, Maserati, Rolls-Royce, BMW, Datsun, Lotus, Mercedes-Benz, Cadillac, Buick and Ford, among others.
The show includes a 1962 Studebaker GT Hawk (V8 4.8-litre engine), considered as “one of the greatest under-the-gun automotive styling achievements of all time”; a 1980 Daimler known as Britain’s oldest car manufacturer) DS420 Limousine (V6 4.6-litre engine), which replaced the DR450 and its customers included HM Queen Elizabeth, King Hussain of Jordan, Prince Rainier III of Monaco, Duke Jean of Luxemburg, Sultan Qaboos of Oman, Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah of Brunei, and Prince Charles, among others; 1956 Ford Thunderbird (Y-Block V8 4.8-litre engine) – a Ford first with a 12-volt electrical system – and its sales came in at 16,158 units; 1940 Buick Special Cabriolet (V8 5.4-litre engine), a uniquely exclusive classic from the late pre-war era and one its main features is its “Dynaflash 8” 248 CI Straight-8 engine, which used valve-in-head technology before most competitors; and the 1954 Cadillac Eldorado Convertible (V8 5.4-litre engine).
Organisers said the exhibition aims to encourage investment in classic cars to underline its history in the country, in addition to introducing the various stages that the classic car industry has gone through, and encouraging the hobby of acquiring classic cars.
“To this end, the exhibition will "represent a tourist attraction and a valuable opportunity to enhance the role of the private sector in promoting tourism in the country in various sectors", according to a statement from the organisers.
