2024 Classic Cars Exhibition and Competition to be bigger than ever
Lovers of antique cars and automobiles have reasons to cheer as the fifth edition of the Qatar Classic Cars Exhibition and Competition is set to return to the Medina Central at the Pearl, from November 27 to December 2.
This year, at least 70 classic automobiles are expected to be showcased, almost double the numbers from previous editions.
The event, held under the patronage of Qatar Museums’ Board of Trustees Chairperson HE Sheikha Al Mayassa bint Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani, reflects the growing regional interest in classic car preservation and collection.
The Qatari Gulf Classic Cars Association (QGCCA) announced that the exhibition this year will last six days, marking a significant expansion in both scale and participation.
“This will be an exceptional edition, with a large number of participants from GCC countries. While there were more than 130 applicants from Qatar and abroad, we limited it to only 70 cars in the competition,” said QGCCA Secretary General Eng Abdul Latif bin Ali Al Yafei Al Yafei.
In a first for the exhibition, this year’s event will feature monetary prizes for winners across five categories, moving beyond the traditional trophy-only format from previous years.
A total of 18 winners will be chosen, including prizes for best-preserved cars, and the best overall vehicle in the show.
Qatar Tourism’s Senior Director of Partnerships Abdulhadi Al Marri emphasised the exhibition’s role in Qatar’s tourism strategy.
“The exhibition has become a beacon for visitors from Qatar and around the world. Such events have been instrumental in achieving our strategic goals of making Qatar one of the fastest-growing tourist destinations in the region,” he said.
Some of the cars in the competition are valued at up to $1m, said organisers. Negotiations are ongoing with insurance companies to protect these valuable automotive artifacts.
Qatar Museums’ Head of Partnerships and Sponsorship Affairs Abdullah bin Ali Al Khater highlighted the event’s cultural significance.
“The participation of Qatar Museums emphasises our interest in merging the fields of cars, art, and design. This aligns perfectly with our vision to develop Qatar’s automobile museum as a centre for celebrating automotive heritage,” he said.
The competition will maintains strict international standards, with cars required to be in original, unmodified condition and well-preserved.
Participants include collectors from Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, and Bahrain, with organisers hoping to expand participation to other Gulf countries in the future.
The exhibition will be judged by specialised experts in the field, ensuring technical and artistic merit are properly evaluated.
“The public might like the cars visually, but technically and artistically they might not be informed to form a fair judgment,” explained Eng Al Yafei, addressing questions about public voting.
The event represents Qatar’s growing prominence in preserving and celebrating automotive heritage while contributing to the country’s broader cultural and tourism objectives.
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