Today's Edition
ABU DHABI (ALETIHAD)
Car enthusiasts across the UAE are flocking to various car museums to dive into the world of classic and vintage automobiles, ranging from iconic sports cars to timeless vehicles. These museums, which include both privately funded and government-supervised establishments, showcase an array of automotive history and offer interactive experiences as part of the “World’s Coolest Winter” campaign.
Emirates National Auto Museum
Located on the outskirts of the Liwa Desert in Al Dhafra region, 45km south of Abu Dhabi, this pyramid-shaped museum displays a collection of approximately 230 vintage cars. Highlights include American cars and the Mercedes rainbow collection, parked alongside other masterpieces such as the Giant Dodge Pickup Truck, eight times larger than its usual size, and the eight-bedroom mobile home “caravan” that was certified by Guinness World Records.
The collection also includes 4x4 Lamborghini, mini coopers, 1950’s American and 1970’s European limousines, NYPD cars, Red Cross vehicles, and military vehicles and trucks.
Sharjah Classic Car Museum
Home to over 100 vintage cars dating back to 1915, the Sharjah Classic Car Museum features notable brands like Bentley, Ford, Chevrolet, and Mercedes. First inaugurated in 2008, the museum was renovated in 2013 in a modern style display that comprises five sections uncovering details of the historical development of cars in different eras, the car engine types, as well as the manufacturer of the vehicles. Visitors can also participate in several interactive sessions and activities held for children and adults.
A star attraction is the 1969 Mercedes-Benz 600 Pullman Limousine, which belongs to Sharjah’s Ruler His Highness Sheikh Sultan bin Mohammed Al Qasimi. The car, constructed with unique specifications, including hydraulic seat adjustments, doors and windows control, and bulletproof materials, is one of 2,677 that were manufactured in the world.
The museum’s most valuable collection includes 1957 Bedford Model, a British-made truck that has six cylinders and a maximum speed of 70 miles per hour, in addition to a 1930’s Plymouth, a 1967 Ford Mustang, a 1951 StudeBaker Champion Coupe, and a 1955 Audi Auto Union.
In a decree issued on June 9, 2022, the Sharjah Executive Council announced the merger of the Sharjah Classic Car Museum with the Sharjah Classic Car Club to expand efforts and initiatives for support and care of antique cars.
The merger augmented the club’s activities and events for vintage car enthusiasts, offering opportunities for knowledge exchange and providing a series of services that sharpen the classic cars’ splendor on the roads.
Off Road History Museum
In Al Madam, Sharjah, this museum is dedicated to 4x4 vehicles, showcasing over 350 models from various countries. It includes rare finds like the Ford Model T from 1915 and the world’s biggest 4x4, the 1958 Larc 60.
Al Serkal Classic Cars Museum
Located in old Deira, Dubai, this museum houses over 60 vintage, classic, and luxury cars, including a Cadillac Limousine owned by the late Dubai Ruler Sheikh Rashid bin Saeed Al Maktoum, and cars dating back to the First and Second World Wars.
Al Ain Classic Car Museum Founded by Rashid Mohammed Al Tamimi, this museum in Al Ain boasts over 37 vintage automobiles, some dating back over 70 years. It features sections for classic cars, antique motorcycles, and an exhibition of photographs depicting automobiles used in the UAE before and after the union, especially in Abu Dhabi. The museum is also home to a training centre for vintage car maintenance and restoration.
