Qatar Classic Cars Contest & Exhibition 2024

Features a selection of the world's rarest classic cars

The fifth edition of the "Qatar Luxury Classic Cars Contest and Exhibition 2024" launches at The Pearl 

* Sheikh Faisal bin Qasim: This year's edition is witnessing wider participation from various Gulf countries

* Omar Al-Fardan: Monetary prizes are given to the winners in all categories for the first time

* Saad bin Ali Al-Khadi: The wider Gulf participation in the exhibition reflects its distinguished position amongst other events hosted by the country

* Ibrahim Jassim Al-Othman Fakhro: Expanding this edition’s exhibition space was to keep pace with the significant increase in the participation of classic car collectors 

* Nasser Matar Al-Kuwari: We strive to participate in events that highlight our culture for the visitors to enjoy

* Maan  Al-Hamwi: The Fifth edition propels the exhibition towards new horizons of excellence

Doha - Qatar 

The Qatar Gulf Classic Cars Association announced the launch of the fifth edition of the Qatar Classic Cars Contest and Exhibition, under the patronage of Her Excellency Sheikha Al Mayasa bint Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani, Chairman of the Board of Trustees of Qatar Museums. The exhibition takes place in Medina Central - The Pearl, from November 27 to December 2, and is witnessing a wider participation from the neighboring GCC countries, following the expansion of the exhibition space, in order to accommodate the growing number of the participating luxury classic cars that represent different historical categories.
The association had announced its strategic partnership with the United Development Company (UDC), the main developer of The Pearl and Al Gewan Island, and under the sponsorship of Qatar Tourism, Al-Fardan Automotive, and DAAM.  Katara Hospitality Serves as hospitality partner and Al-Sharq Newspaper as media partner.
The fifth edition is organised under the supervision of the International Federation of Classic Cars (FIVA) and the association will present offer monetary prizes to the winners of across all competition categories for the first time.

Broad regional and international participation
His Excellency Sheikh Faisal bin Qasim Al-Thani, Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Qatar Gulf Classic Cars Association, stated: "We are pleased to announce the launch of an exceptional edition of the Qatar Classic Cars Contest and Exhibition, which is organised under the patronage of Her Excellency Sheikha Al Mayasa bint Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani, Chairman of the Board of Trustees of Qatar Museums and held under the supervision of the International Federation of Classic Cars (FIVA)." His Excellency added: “The active participation of national companies in the event reflects the importance of the event.”

A new edition
Mr. Omar Hussein Al-Fardan, Vice Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Qatar Gulf Classic Cars Association, said: "The fifth edition of the Qatar Classic Car Contest and Exhibition will witness various surprises, as the exhibition space has expanded. It will also include a wide participation of luxury classic car collectors from the Gulf region. The competition has also been announced on social media to give owners of luxury classic cars an opportunity to equip their cars in order to participate in this special edition. For the very first time, monetary prizes will be awarded to the winners in all categories of the contest to heighten the competition amongst the luxury classic car collectors.” He added, "The Qatar Classic Cars Contest and Exhibition offers the collectors of this category of cars  an opportunity to display their cars to the public, and provide a platform through which enthusiasts can admire their favourite classic cars."

Strategic partner
Mr. Ibrahim Jassim Al-Othman Fakhro, CEO and Board Member of the United Development Company (UDC), praised the great development witnessed by the Qatar Classic Cars Contest and Exhibition, and stated: “We are pleased to be part of this annual event, which has become a legacy in its own right. We are proud of our strategic partnership with the Qatar Gulf Classic Cars Association in organising and hosting this contest and exhibition, and we look forward to a special edition this year with much bigger exhibition space and a wider participation from other Gulf countries.” He added: "Medina Central in its entirety has been dedicated to host the exhibition, because of its prime location which will be sufficient in displaying the participating cars in a distinctive way that adds more success to the event." Al-Othman also invited the public to visit the exhibition in order to admire these rare cars, stressing that the exhibition represents a distinctive tourist destination and a valuable opportunity to enhance the role of the private sector in promoting the country’s tourism.

Qatar Tourism serves as main sponsor for the fourth year
On the sidelines of the preparations for a special edition of the Qatar Classic Luxury Cars Competition and 

 Exhibition 2024, H.E. Mr. Saad bin Ali Al Kharji, President of Qatar Tourism and Chairman of Visit Qatar, stressed the importance of the exhibition and the wide success it has achieved in attracting foreign tourism, both for first-time participants and even for admirers of this type of cars. He also noted that participations from neighboring Gulf countries in the exhibition reflect the distinguished status of the exhibition among other events hosted by the state. “We appreciate the efforts of the Gulf-Qatar Classic Cars Association in organising such vital events, as part of the rich and diverse calendar of events taking place in the State of Qatar," he said. Al-Kharji added, "For the fourth year in a row, Qatar Tourism continues to support the Qatar Classic Cars Competition and Exhibition, which has been successful in gaining status as an anticipated event among other events hosted by our beloved country.”

Katara Hospitality
Mr. Nasser Matar Al Kuwari, CEO of Katara Hospitality, said: “We are delighted to be selected as an exclusive hospitality partner for the Qatar Classic Cars Contest and Exhibition, which allows visitors to admire these priceless cars, and to enjoy the exhibition which serves as an important event that attracts local and regional attention.” He added, "At Katara Hospitality, we strive to participate in events that highlight our culture, therefore, we aim to enhance their sustainability and ensure the achievement of their goals as effectively as possible." He noted that Katara Hospitality's sponsorship of this exhibition is only the beginning of an active partnership with the Qatar Gulf Classic Cars Association with events and activities that extend throughout the year.

Al-Fardan Automotive
Dr. Moin Al-Hamwi, CEO of Alfardan Automotive, said that the group has chosen to sponsor this important event and stated: "We are proud to sponsor the Qatar Classic Cars Contest and Exhibition, which is held this year with a new look, which will no doubt propel the Qatar Gulf Classic Cars Association towards new horizons of excellence." He added: “At Alfardan Automotive, we believe in the importance of this sponsorship and its role in elevating the lthis event, and we will continuously work to support it in the future to achieve further development and excellence.”

Classic Cars Contest
A contest will be organized on the sidelines of the exhibition, during which the best participating car will be selected. A specialised committee will be formed in order to select the winning cars. The winners will be selected unanimously by the members of the jury, and will receive monetary prizes for the very first time. The competition includes five categories of classic cars, three winners will be selected from each category, including:

Category 1: 1947 and before

Category 2: 1948 – 1958

Category 3: 1959 – 1969

Category 4: 1970 – 1980

Category 5: 1981 – 1994

The prizes include:

1. The Best exceptional luxury car award

2. The most represented car award

3. The most authentically preserved car award

4. The most local heritage preserved award

5. The best car at the exhibition award.

This competition will play a major role in fuelling the spirit of competition and motivating the participants in the exhibition to display the best of their cars. The contest will elevate the exhibition and the interest of car enthusiasts and the public alike in wanting to see the cars on display, and especially the winning car.

The Qatar Gulf Classic Cars Association
The Qatar Gulf Classic Car Association aspires to primarily introduce the Qatari society to its activities as a sponsor and supporter of the owners of this category of cars, and to highlight the association's efforts within the Qatari society, as well as encouraging investment in classic cars, highlighting its history in Qatar, in addition to introducing the different stages that the classic car industry has gone through.
The Association also seeks to provide a distinguished and attractive environment to preserve classic cars as a legacy passed down by generations, and a community heritage owned by a professional and conscious generation with all the necessary skills to preserve it, by providing the owners of those cars with the necessary educational, artistic and cultural experiences and the skills necessary to preserve this historic heritage.
The acquisition of classic cars for many in Qatar represents a culture and a heritage that must be preserved and promoted. Classic cars have their enthusiasts throughout Qatar as well as around the world. The Association seeks to promote and support classic car enthusiasts and owners, as well as highlight their cars, which are considered masterpieces of art and engineering, and were developed by the oldest and most renowned car manufacturers in the world, which are invaluable to their owners and enthusiasts alike.