Doha: The Qatari Gulf Classic Cars Association (QGCCA) has successfully concluded the sixth edition of the Qatar Luxury Classic Cars Contest & Exhibition, which took place over five days at The Pearl Island and saw extensive participation from across the GCC for the second consecutive year.
Twenty winners were recognized across various categories of the competition, in front of an impressive audience turnout from both Qatar and international attendees.
Chairman of the Association’s Board H E Sheikh Faisal bin Qassim Al Thani conveyed his pride in the success of this year’s edition, stating: “This year’s edition was characterized by a competitive spirit among participants, giving it a truly remarkable essence. It effectively attracted visitors from all GCC nations, creating a celebration that merges luxury with the rich heritage of automotive history.”
He also highlighted that the exhibition experienced considerable growth in both its area and the number of participating vehicles, totaling 65 cars, marking the largest display since the exhibition's inception.
QGCCA Vice Chairman Omar Hussein Alfardan said: “The remarkable turnout at this year’s edition affirms the strong stature of this event and its growing role in enriching classic car culture in Qatar and the region. The extraordinary audience engagement reflected a genuine passion for this historic world, reinforcing the exhibition’s position as an elegant platform that brings together car enthusiasts, experts, and designers. At the association, we remain committed to organizing this event to strengthen Qatar’s position as a leading cultural and tourism destination, and to inspire the next generation with a spirit of authenticity and creativity.”
This year, the “Best of Show” honor went to Badr Alsaid of Kuwait for his immaculate 1969 Mercedes-Benz 280SL—a symbol of timeless design and engineering.
The event featured winners across multiple categories. In the Pre-1947 class, Ali Kaakour’s 1936 Peugeot 201D took top honors, followed by Al Gassar Capital’s 1931 Rolls-Royce Phantom I Continental. Among 1948–1959 models, Sheikh Ahmed Bin Ali Al Khalifah of Bahrain claimed first place with a 1959 Bentley Continental by Mulliner. Kuwaiti enthusiasts dominated several categories, including Basil Alhudaib’s 1957 Mercedes-Benz 220S and Fahad Abdulwahed’s 1978 Chevrolet Corvette.
Special awards highlighted regional pride and craftsmanship: FBQM’s 1964 Dodge Polara 880 earned “Best Local Heritage,” while Hassan Alibrahiem’s 1968 Mercedes-Benz 230S was recognized for “Best Deserving Restoration Project.” Jassim Mohamed Ayoub of Bahrain received dual accolades—third place in the 1982–1995 category and “Best Preserved Vehicle” for his 1982 Nissan ZX 280.
QGCCA Board Member H E Sheikh Mohammed bin Faisal bin Qassim Al Thani praised the prestigious status the exhibition has earned among classic car lovers in Qatar and the GCC, which was evident in the diverse participation from all GCC countries and in the unprecedented audience turnout, the largest ever recorded for a classic car event in the region.
He congratulated the winners and expressed his appreciation to all participants from inside and outside Qatar.
“We were delighted to host the sixth edition of the Qatar Luxury Classic Cars Contest & Exhibition on The Pearl Island, where the event welcomed distinctive attendance and wide engagement from classic car enthusiasts and visitors from across the region. This exceptional turnout added a unique spirit to the event and highlighted the beauty of this rich heritage.”
“The success of this edition reflects the importance of The Pearl and Gewan Islands as premier destinations for prestigious events. It also underscores United Development Company’s commitment to offering community experiences that enrich lifestyle and support cultural vibrancy in the State of Qatar. We thank our partners, participants, and visitors, and we look forward to welcoming them in future events.”
The successful conclusion of the Contest & Exhibition came with support from the Sports and Social Activities Support Fund (Daam), which aims to enhance the presence of cultural and community activities that preserve heritage and celebrate the passion of classic car collectors and enthusiasts.
This aligns with Daam’s mission of supporting initiatives that strengthen societal culture, raise awareness about heritage-driven community events, enhance participation, and contribute to sustainable social development in line with Qatar National Vision 2030.
Mohammed Saad Al-Rumaihi, CEO of Qatar Museums, said: “The tremendous success of this prestigious exhibition reaffirms its role as a dynamic cultural platform that continues elevating appreciation for automotive culture in Qatar.”
He added: “Through our strategic partnership with the Qatari Gulf Association for Classic Cars, the exhibition has evolved from a refined competition into a vibrant public space of creativity and interaction. Our institution ensures that practical workshops are inspiring for the next generation, from aspiring car designers to engineers, by bridging arts and design with essential STEM skills. This initiative supports our vision for the Qatar Auto Museum as a leading institution dedicated to automotive history and culture, innovation, research, and technical skill development that will shape the future of mobility in the region.”
Dr. Maan Al-Hamawi, CEO of Alfardan Automotive, expressed his pride in partnering with the Association to organize the exhibition, stating:
“The massive public turnout is clear proof of the exceptional success of this year’s edition. Our partnership with the Qatari Gulf Association for Classic Cars reflects our commitment to supporting events that combine luxury, heritage, and engineering excellence. This year’s turnout was not merely attendance, it was a vivid expression of genuine passion for classic cars and solid evidence of the outstanding success of this edition.”
“This event opened new horizons of excellence and created an interactive space that brought together car enthusiasts, experts, and designers in a refined atmosphere reflecting the spirit of innovation and distinctiveness that Alfardan Automotive is committed to promoting. We will continue supporting initiatives that elevate public taste and strengthen Qatar’s position as a regional hub for high-end events.”
