UAE. Classic car owners from across the UAE will display a sparkling collection of vehicles dating back to the 1920s during a special event being staged in Sharjah and Dubai as part of the 37th UAE National Day celebrations.

The two-day Emirates Classic Car Festival is being organised by the Automobile and Touring Club of the UAE (ATCUAE) in conjunction with the Ministry of Culture, Youth & Community Development.

Conceived by ATCUAE President Mohammed Ben Sulayem and UAE Minister of Culture Youth & Community Development, HE Abdul Rahman Mohammed Al Owais. the festival is supported by Sharjah Old Cars Club and Museum and Dubai Festival City.

The event gets under way on Monday when around 80 classic vehicles go on view from 4.00pm to 8.00pm at Khalid Lagoon in Sharjah, near Al Noor Mosque. Following judging of the cars and a prize presentation, the vehicles will set off on a parade of the lagoon.

The second leg of the festival on Tuesday will see another impressive line-up of classic cars assembling between 4.00pm and 8.00pm at Festival Centre where a colourful programme of National Day celebrations and activities is planned.

An official panel of judges, headed by Sulayem, will then select the second day and overall prize winners in 26 categories.

Scheduled to become major annual attraction for enthusiasts across the region, the Emirates Classic Car Festival is among a series of new events planned by the ATCUAE in its role as the official representative in the Emirates of FIVA, the world governing body for historic vehicles.

“There are a lot of classic car owners in the UAE and across the region, and this event will go from strength to strength,” said Sulayem, who will have several of his own cars – including a stunning 1959 Cadillac Eldorado Biaritz – on display in Dubai.

Classic car enthusiasts now busily preparing their beloved vehicles for the festival include club members of the UAE’s BMW, Seat, Hummar, VW Audi, Honda, Mustang, Corvette, Evolve, Evo ME, UAE Boost and Womens Auto and Race clubs.

During the UAE National Day, Festival Centre will also be lively enriched by traditional performances and decoration, to celebrate and commemorate the national anniversary.

Plans are already in place for two FIVA-sanctioned touring rallies for historic vehicles next year: the Trans Emirates Classic in February, and another event organised in conjunction with the Rolls Royce Club in March linking Qatar, the UAE and Oman.

The ATCUAE also plans regular events bringing together historic car enthusiasts for discussions, and demonstrations by experts, on subjects such as restoration and preservation of vehicles.

As a result of its appointment earlier this year to represent FIVA in the Emirates, the ATCUAE is now solely responsible for issuing historic car certificates to vehicles which are at least 25 years old.

FIVA has more than 75 member organisations in more than 50 countries throughout the world, which in turn represent more than one million historic vehicle enthusiasts. FIVA certification provides international credibility and can enhance the value of historic cars, although vehicles have to undergo intensive examination.

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