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Horse-powered oldies line up for classic race

Abu Dhabi - The Classic Cars Competition is organised, for the first time in the nine years Festival, by the Abu Dhabi Classic Cars Club.

Some are as old as the 1920s, having beautiful wooden seats and even wooden wheel rims, others are 1960s trucks, popular during Shaikh Zayed's time for crossing desert areas. Displaying a classy look, these heritage vehicles are ready for an unique 'good looking' competition, on the sidelines of the ongoing Al Dhafra Festival.
Looking at them, one feels the proverb "old is gold' couldn't be truer.
The Classic Cars Competition is organised, for the first time in the nine years Festival, by the Abu Dhabi Classic Cars Club.
Some of the best looking classic trucks, sedan and four wheel cars from across the country were registered for the competition as part of the festival in Madinat Zayed, in the Western Region of Abu Dhabi Emirate, which will run until December 30.
Although not an ancient tradition, cars, and particularly the classic ones, are becoming part of the modern Emirati heritage.
The first car ever to enter the country was in 1924, in Sharjah.
Abu Dhabi had to wait 10 more years, as the first vehicle ever to arrive was in 1934, which was believed to be a Ford.
Rashid Al Tamimi, General Manager of Abu Dhabi Classic Cars Club, said: "For Al Dhafra Festival we have 44 cars participating in the competition, to coincide with the recent 44th anniversary of UAE National Day. The 44 classic cars belong to our club members, but we also have some from other companies."
In an open area next to the traditional market, these old horse-powered beauties were all lined up at the festival.
The 12 categories of the competition award the top three finest looking cars with Dh10,000, Dh7,500 and Dh5,000 respectively.
Also, Dh2,000 will be given for most luxurious classic car, biggest classic car, smallest classic car, finest looking classic four-wheel car, best looking limousine, best looking sports car, best looking truck, best looking heritage car and best looking salon car.
Each car has its own information stand, describing its model, power and year of making.
"People have now started to see the value of classic cars and are trying to collect and restore them, usually from parents and grandparents. Some came as a gift from a shaikh and some collectors even bought them from shaikhs," Al Tamimi said.
"We are for the first time at Al Dhafra Festival and I think it's a great opportunity for us to showcase classic cars, but also a good challenge to organise a good competition and raise people's interest in classic cars," Al Tamimi added.
Restoration and maintenance, though, are the biggest challenge for classic cars collectors, as spare parts and workshops knowledgeable about such vehicles are very few in numbers.
reporters@khaleejtimes.com