Sharjah Classic Cars Festival highlights car enthusiasts memories

A car’s story

The Sharjah Classic Cars Festival kicked off its second day of panel discussions with a session titled "A Car's Story," featuring Dr Nasser Al-Masari and moderated by journalist Yousef Al-Hammadi. Dr Al-Masari shared a personal account of his journey with automobiles, beginning with his acquisition of his first classic car in 1984 while studying in the United States. At that time, specialised magazines and books were the primary sources for exploring this world. His journey later expanded to include the acquisition of rare cars, among them a 1929 Cadillac, considered one of the rarest models in the world.

Al-Masari recounted several pivotal moments that shaped his relationship with cars, including his attempt to purchase a rare vehicle in 1986 and how missing that opportunity has prevented him from acquiring such a car to this day. He also spoke of his deep emotional connection to a 1947 Cadillac, which he personally restored. He also noted that his commitment to university teaching prevented him for years from attending many international events, before he had the opportunity to engage more broadly in this world after completing his academic career. He benefited from social media, which helped strengthen his relationship with his students and enthusiasts in general.

The discussion touched on the philosophy of collecting from a broader perspective. Al-Masari emphasised that classic cars possess an aesthetic and artistic value that transcends their primary function, pointing out that older design lines were closer to music and art, compared to modern designs dominated by commercialism. He also spoke about his personal museum, which houses dozens of rare cars, affirming that collecting is governed by three main motives: investment, passion, or emotional connection. This aligns with the festival's vision, which presents the car as a living memory and a cultural witness, not merely a mechanical part.

When cars unite us

The "When Cars Unite Us" Session: In the second dialogue session, titled "When Cars Unite Us," moderated by journalist Yousef Al-Ansari and featuring Salem bin Salem Al-Suwaidi, the discussion shifted from the individual experience to the collective dimension of the passion for classic cars. Al-Suwaidi recounted his childhood journey with cars, from taking apart toy cars out of curiosity to developing a passion for American vehicles, which he described as a dream come true due to their size, design, and identity. He emphasised that many of the cars he later acquired were extensions of personal memories and experiences.

Al-Suwaidi spoke of his preference for classic cars, particularly Cadillac models, considering them to be history in motion on wheels, embodying the spirit of the era in which they were made. He noted that modern designs, despite their technological advancements, often lack artistic flair, stressing the importance of specialised gatherings, such as associations and clubs, in connecting enthusiasts, exchanging expertise, and preserving this industrial and cultural heritage.

The session highlighted the role of festivals and exhibitions in transforming individual passion into a collective experience, where classic cars become a common language that brings together people of different ages and backgrounds, providing spaces for intergenerational dialogue. The speakers also discussed the cultural and social aspects of this interest, and its role in building a living collective memory, reflecting the essence of the session's theme and aligning with the festival's message of presenting the car as a human bridge connecting the past and present.

More than 300 classic and rare cars

This year, the festival features more than 300 classic and rare cars, representing diverse design schools from Japan, Europe, and the United States, in an arrangement that allows visitors to compare models in one place. It also offers a diverse program combining specialised panel discussions, interactive activities, and family events, enriching the visitor experience and giving it a comprehensive cultural and entertainment dimension.

The Sharjah Classic Cars Festival continues to solidify its position as a cultural platform that reinterprets industrial heritage in a contemporary language, combining knowledge and enjoyment, and opening the door for new generations to di