Sharjah, the go-to hotspot for vintage beauties

Classic car club leaders in the UAE and the region stressed that owning a classic car means preserving its history and stories. They highlighted knowledge, sustainability, and documentation as key to safeguarding the sector and noted that clubs help overcome technical and administrative challenges while documenting vehicle histories.

This came during a panel discussion titled "Car Clubs: Their Objectives and Significance", held on Sunday at the ongoing Sharjah Classic Cars Festival 2025.

The session brought together Ahmed Bin Hanzal, Director of the Sharjah Classic Cars Museum; Elyas Zadjali, Founder and President of the Oman Classic Car Club; Dr. Nasser Al-Massari, President of the Saudi Classic Car Club; Ateeq Mubarak, General Coordinator of the Automobile and Motorcycle Federation in the UAE; and Rashid Al-Tamimi, Chairman of the Abu Dhabi Classic Car Club.

The panellists discussed their club experiences, classic car owners' challenges, and strategies to increase interest in these vehicles locally and regionally. They identified key challenges, including securing financial support, high maintenance and insurance costs, and the limited availability of specialised workshops and original spare parts.

A leading hub for classic car enthusiasts

Ahmed Bin Hanzal highlighted the vital role of classic car clubs in promoting awareness and preserving automotive heritage. He noted that the Sharjah Classic Car Club serves as a comprehensive hub, meeting the needs of classic car enthusiasts. The club offers membership, licensing support, exhibition organisation, and activities to preserve this heritage. These initiatives strengthen Sharjah’s position as a key destination for classic car collectors and enthusiasts in the region.

Force for social impact

On his part, Elias Zadjali underlines the need for classic car clubs to go beyond hobbyist gatherings and become platforms for public awareness and heritage preservation.

He shared an initiative by his club that integrates classic cars into mental health therapy, where they are used in programmes for individuals with depression.

He stressed that it is successful in enhancing participants’ well-being.

Sustaining knowledge and club longevity

On the importance of ensuring that classic car clubs remain active beyond their founders’ involvement, Nasser Al-Masari cited examples like the British Classic Car Club, which has thrived for over 140 years, demonstrating the value of long-term sustainability.

He pointed out that knowledge is the most significant challenge for classic car owners: “Owning a classic vehicle requires an understanding of its history, maintenance, and purpose. Without this awareness, owners risk avoidable financial losses.”

Preserving history through documentation

Meanwhile, Ateeq Mubarak highlighted the 'Classic Vehicle Passport,' an initiative by the General Federation for Automobiles and Motorcycles.

He noted that it serves as an official record of classic vehicles, detailing ownership, history, and origin to ensure their authenticity and heritage.

Safeguarding the UAE’s Automotive Legacy

Similarly, Rashid Al-Tamimi discussed an Abu Dhabi Classic Car Club initiative, which offers specialised training in classic car maintenance to pass this expertise on to younger generations.

He also stressed the importance of documenting the UAE’s transportation history, revealing that 80% of classic cars in the country were either Gulf-made or imported decades ago.

To preserve this legacy, the club is creating a digital archive, compiling images, ownership records, and chassis numbers to safeguard the history of these vehicles.