JUST OUT OF THE BOX……
Eric Clarke
JUST OUT OF THE BOX? YOU HAVE TO BELIEVE IT!! Having spent some time over the last three years in DUBAI we had almost given up hope of seeing classic cars except in museums, but this year we were lucky enough to be there when they held their second classic car show. A four day event held on one of the many beautiful wide boulevards that dissect downtown Dubai. In the long shadow of the Burj Kharlifa, the tallest building in the world (810 meters high), the cars were arranged under white individual tented pavilions, each with their own guard! The wide range of exotica, mainly from Sheiks private collections, all with no expense spared restorations. They ranged from American muscle cars, Cadillacs in various colours, to Pierce Arrows, and the more humble model T, all looking as if they had never been on the road. Due to family commitments we were only able to go there in the day, but would like to have seen the illuminated parades held each evening. The Classic Car scene is alive and thriving in Dubai, as it is already scheduled on their busy calendar for 2011. The best car award went to a 1970 Ferrari 246GT (worth ????) and a Heritage class award to a VW Samba, so all tastes are catered for. Our favourite was a very, very, large LINCOLN CONTINENTAL from the 30’s and the worst faux pas was a smart 2CV Dolly listed as a Citroen DS! A Triumph TR6 and a Spitfire, both looking sad in comparison, but we were saved by some beautifully turned out Jaguars ranging from an immaculate Red XK120 to the XKS series. Take in some more of the photos on Image Gallery and dream!
Follow our next posting Wadi Bashing in Oman. An interesting story of survival against all odds!
Eric and Ann Clarke March 2010