The 1967 Lamborghini Mura, owned by Mr.Imtiaz Shaikh, was adjudged ‘Best of Show’ at the Emirates Classic Car Festival held in Downtown Dubai organised by Emaar Properties in association with the Automobile & Touring Club of the UAE (ATCUAE) and with the support of Ministry of Culture, Youth and Community Development, as part of the UAE National Day celebrations.
The very prestigious “FIVA Award” was granted by Mr. Horst Brüning, president of FIVA, for the third time worldwide and the first in the region. It was given away at Pebble Beach and Villa d’Este in the USA and Italy. The FIVA award winner is Mr. Wael Buheiry for his 1960 Mercedes Benz 300SL Roadster for the ‘best preserved original car.’
Renowned personalities associated with the festival including Mr. Suhail Marar, Chief Steward of FIVA Jordan; Mr. Rony Karam, President of FIVA Lebanon; Mr. Robert Bryan, Technical Director of ATCUAE; and Mr. Dave Dresen, a classic car restorer with over 40 years of experience and General Manager of West Coast Custom Middle East, were also honoured at the festival.
Also feted were the passionate collectors who support the festival with a variety of classic cars every year – Al Serkal family, Al Attar Family, Baker Family and Mr. Tariq Al Qamzi – who displayed their cars at the festival on Emaar Boulevard, which was attended by several thousand spectators over three days. Mr. Mohammed Ben Sulayem, President of the ATCUAE, and the Ministry of Culture, Youth and Community Development, were honoured for their support.
Competitions to 14 categories including a public poll were a key component of the festival. Eminent classic car experts scored the cars on the basis of car originality, engine cleanliness, original car colour, historical car value, finishing and aesthetics.
The other winners in various categories are: Mr. Tariq Al Qamzi – 1976 Triumph TR6 (UAE Award); Mr. Mohammed Al Tahiri – 1970 Mercedes 280S (Dubai Award); Mr. Al Attar – Peterbuilt Truck & Batmobile from Batman movie (Emaar Award); Mr. Marzooq Al Mansouri – 1947 Chevrolet Pickup (Classic Truck Award); Mr. Samer Al Fakir – 1929 Pontiac (Pre-World War II Award); Mr. Jamal Salam – 1955 Buick Convertible (Heritage Award); Mr. Hisham Al Rifai – 1978 Corvette Indy Pace Car (Modern Classic); Mr. Rafiq Mahmoud – 1963 Corvette (American Award); and Mr. Simon Crispe – 1961 Daimler Dart (European Award).
The Public Choice Awards were presented to Mr. Al Attar for the Batmobile from Batman Movie; Mr. Leslie Bowis for the 1959 Mercedes 190 SL; and Mr. Hassan Ali Alaleeli for the 1948 Chrysler Plymouth.
More than 100 cars participated in the festival, across Downtown Dubai, described as the new heart of the city.
