The Sharjah Classic Cars Festival (SCCF 2025) has kicked off at the Sharjah Old Cars Club (SOCC) headquarters, gathering industry experts, classic car enthusiasts and collectors to celebrate automotive heritage.
The second edition revolves around the theme “Where the Story Begins”, offering visitors an unparalleled experience with the combination of history, entertainment, and education.
The event, scheduled to run until 17th February, was launched in the presence of Sheikh Mohammed bin Humaid Al Qasimi, Chairman of the Department of Statistics and Community Development in Sharjah; Sheikh Saud bin Sultan Al Qasimi, Director General of the Sharjah Digital Authority; Sheikh Salem bin Mohammed Al Qasimi, Director of the Sharjah Commerce and Tourism Development Authority, and Ali Salem Al Midfa, Chairman of the Sharjah International Airport Authority; and Dr Ali Ahmed Abu Al-Zoud, President of SOCC.
The opening ceremony of the event featured a tour of festival grounds and the classic cars on display, including two historically prominent vehicles: a 1988 two-door Range Rover Classic once owned by the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan and a 1988 four-door Range Rover belonging to the late Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan.
These iconic cars serve as a testament to the rich legacy of the nation’s leadership, bringing a rich historical dimension to the exhibition.
This five-day event features over 400 rare classic cars, including cars that date back to the early 20th century. This reflects the event’s prominence as one of the most specialized gatherings in the region.
The festival program includes expert discussion panels, entertainment activities, interactive competitions, dedicated food and beverage areas, and an exclusive auction for rare classic cars, providing collectors with an opportunity to bid on unique models and secure exceptional deals.
As part of the inaugural day, a panel discussion titled “Passion or Business? The Art of Collecting Classic Cars” featured Ahmed bin Mohammed Al Jarwan, Mohammed Bin Dakhin Al Matroushi, and Salem Bin Salem Al Suwaidi. The discussion delved into key considerations in selecting a classic car.
The session also examined how a passion for classic cars can turn into a profitable business, highlighting that ownership is not exclusive to people with financial means, as enthusiasm for the sector transcends social barriers.
Additionally, experts shared valuable insights on accurate valuation methods and effective investment strategies in the classic car market.
During the session, Ahmed bin Mohammed Al Jarwan, commented that, “At its core, this field is a hobby, and any commercial activity that emerges from it supports a passion that has gained global recognition through auctions and specialized publications.”
Mohammed bin Dakhin Al Matroushi underscored that modifying classic cars requires skill and creativity, with certain modifications preserving a vehicle’s original value. Al Matroushi also stressed that success requires in-depth knowledge and expertise to achieve profitable returns.
Salem bin Salem Al-Suwaidi highlighted classic cars’ nostalgic value and growing global demand, also noting that collectors from the US and Japan are willing to pay high prices to reclaim rare models.
Al-Suwaidi also emphasized the significance of maintaining a car’s authenticity during modifications and advocated for expert committees to evaluate vintage vehicles, particularly inherited ones, to ensure their true value is officially recognized.
During the opening ceremony, Sheikh Mohammed bin Humaid Al Qasimi and Dr. Ali Ahmed Abu Al-Zoud honored the event’s strategic partners and sponsors, including Arabian Gulf Mechanical Centre – BMW, Emirates Auction, Sharjah Islamic Bank, and the Sharjah Commerce and Tourism Development Authority.
