The Gulf Qatari Classic Cars Association is organizing the Qatar Classic Car Competition and Exhibition 2021

Under the patronage of Her Excellency Sheikha Al Mayassa bint Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani, Chairperson of the Board of Trustees of Qatar Museums, the Gulf Qatar Classic Car Society is organizing the Qatar Classic Car Competition and Exhibition 2021 from 17 November this year, to promote a culture of interest in classic cars and make room for the public During the year, a group of the rarest and most luxurious classic cars owned by amateurs and those interested in acquiring this category of cars will be viewed.

In the following dialogue, we learn more about the association and its activities, with His Excellency Sheikh Faisal Bin Qassim Al Thani, Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Gulf Qatar Classic Car Association.

• First of all, tell us, His Excellency Sheikh, about the generation of your love of acquiring classic cars?

From the early years of my life I developed a love for cars in general, although this inclination was not common among people at the time, as I looked with admiration at the cars that carried people to important gatherings such as Hajj or long and special trips like Al-Muqannas. And in later stages of my life, I became more keen to preserve the cars that I began to own, and as I became familiar with classic cars and their transformation into an expensive piece, I thought of assembling as many of them, and it became painful to see them neglected and in tatters, and sold for very insignificant amounts. , especially as it is considered wealth like jewelry. And if we talk about the elderly, the classic car is a precious piece because it carries with it special memories and stories, although it can be a simple car. The fondness for cars is not new to humans, as humans have been known for their interest in means of transportation, such as animals, camels and horses.

• Your Excellency, is there a classic car that carries special memories with you?

It is a classic Ursmobile, which entered the country through a wooden ship "Leng" through the port of Zikrit in western Qatar, and it was transported with difficulty from the ship to the outside. The other car is a 1948 Chevrolet Pickup, and it was a witness to deer hunting trips, and the cars that took us to schools and camping trips in mainland Qatar at the time, and my father was driving them. And all these cars I have now and I still keep them despite all these years.

• How did the idea of ​​establishing the Gulf Qatar Classic Car Association begin?

Classic cars have become an investment, and instead of throwing them in the scrap car, we must preserve them, and from here we had the idea of ​​establishing the Gulf Qatar Classic Car Association, to attract all those interested in them and preserve these valuable pieces, and the idea found a local welcome, especially since classic cars have become a wealth It is important in Qatar and must be taken care of, as it represents a piece with its history, and in order to work to raise awareness of this wealth, we organize exhibitions and auctions. The association also embraces young people interested in classic cars, and offers them awareness and discussion lectures related to this field. The history of classic cars is rich in important situations, events and stations, such as the use of some cars by senior statesmen, as they represent an important value that differs from those of the same model. For my part, I have tried for 30 years to collect the cars that the people of Qatar used in the past, so that we have a large group that will help us support the goals and vision of the association, and there are many documents and information in this aspect, and I am sure that awareness of the importance of classic cars will increase.

• What is the interest of society in general in classic cars?

We note that those interested in classic cars are constantly increasing, as they represent wealth in the end, and their price doubles and reaches hundreds of thousands, but of course their value varies from one country to another.

• How does the association operate at the Gulf level, as it is called?

We found that the Gulf countries do not have a special association for classic cars, and from this point of view, the association was named "Gulf Qatar", to extend its activities to neighboring countries, and it has a long history of owning classic cars, and we found welcome and visits from them to the association, and we can expand In our activities in associations to include boats, yachts and other hobbies.

• How are classic cars classified?

Any vehicle over the age of 50 is classified under the "Classic Car" category. And now I think that the car that is more than 30 years old is considered a classic because of the great changes in the ways of making cars and the intervention of the technology factor in its manufacture

• Are there any figures on the number of classic cars in Qatar?

At the present time, there are no estimates available about the number of classic cars in Qatar, and about the most available categories. Each company has its own classic cars, such as the classic “Tender Bird” car, which is one of the famous cars since the fifties and it maintains its value until now. There are many cars, but not like any Regular and dated cars.

• How are maintenance operations performed on classic cars?

The process of maintaining classic cars is a very expensive issue, due to the lack of spare parts for cars, which are usually available outside the country, and require several months to arrive. Classic cars require comprehensive care and periodic engine operation. From our side in the association, during the Corncord exhibition, we contributed to educating people about the necessary maintenance methods.

• What are the most prominent initiatives and future plans that the association is working on?

The association is currently working to raise awareness of the importance of classic cars, and to provide initiatives that facilitate maintenance operations in the country, as many are forced to travel to maintain their cars or import the necessary spare parts, so it is important that we seek to provide a mechanism for maintenance