Doha, November 20 (QNA) - The sixth edition of the Qatar Luxury Classic Car Competition and Exhibition 2025 kicked off today. The event is organized by the Gulf-Qatari Classic Cars Association and will continue until Nov. 23 on The Pearl Island. It is held under the patronage of HE Chairperson of the Board of Trustees of Qatar Museums Sheikha Al Mayassa bint Hamad Al-Thani and attended by HE Director General of the General Retirement and Social Insurance Authority Ahmed bin Ali Al Hammadi, along with several distinguished sheikhs, senior officials, and ambassadors accredited to the State.

This year, the exhibition is presented in a new format and double the previous display space, showcasing a collection of the world’s rarest and most luxurious classic cars. It features broad participation from the Gulf Cooperation Council countries and is supervised by the International Federation of Historic Vehicles (FIVA).

Chairman of the Gulf-Qatari Classic Cars Association HE Sheikh Faisal bin Qassim Al-Thani affirmed that the exhibition has become a platform that brings together classic car enthusiasts. His Excellency noted that the event is not limited to displaying cars but also tells stories of innovation, design, and history, contributing to the cultural identity of the State of Qatar.

He added that this edition represents a qualitative milestone in the exhibition’s history, praising the support that reflects the country’s commitment to this cultural and engineering heritage. He emphasized that, for the second year in a row, the exhibition features unprecedented participation from GCC countries.

For his part, HE Board Member of the Gulf-Qatari Classic Cars Association Sheikh Nawaf bin Nasser bin Khaled Al-Thani said that the association strives in every edition to offer something unique to the public by selecting the finest and most beautiful classic cars to participate and by providing financial and in-kind prizes to participants.

He noted that the exhibition is not merely a recreational event but also a space for cultural and technical interaction, where classic car owners and the judging committee engage with visitors, creating a rich educational and interactive environment.

He added that what distinguishes this edition is the great diversity of participating cars and the growing interest of Qatari youth in this field, which he said reflects the association’s success in establishing a culture of classic car ownership as part of the national heritage.

Secretary-General and Board Member of the Association Eng. Abdulatif Ali Al Yafei said that the sixth edition of the exhibition features extensive participation from GCC countries, representing 40 percent of the total cars on display. This brings together a remarkable and rare collection of luxury classic cars reflecting different historical eras.

He added that the competition will select outstanding cars across several categories, based on precisely established global criteria evaluated by a specialized judging panel. The cars will be judged according to the standards of the International Federation of Historic Vehicles, and the winners will be announced during the final day of the event, with the top three winners in each category being honored. 

Meanwhile, Qatari Museums CEO Mohammed Saad Al Rumaihi hailed Qatar Auto Museum's debut at the exhibition as a milestone that highlights the museum's commitment to sharing Qatar's rich cultural history and the artistic value of automobiles.

He also noted the museum team's involvement in judging the competition and leading community workshops to deepen public engagement.

The museum's exhibit features a replica of the 1886 Benz Patent-Motorwagen, linking the event to the origins of the modern automobile.

The event includes a classic car competition across five categories, ranging from pre-1947 vehicles to cars manufactured between 1982 and 1995. Winners are selected by a jury and will receive both monetary and in-kind awards for the first time. Special awards for excellence, including Best Preserved Car and Most Iconic Car, will also be presented.

The Qatari Gulf Classic Car Association encouraged the public to attend, noting that this year's exhibition also features children's activities and artistic performances. Organisers honoured sponsors and partners at the opening, underlining the event's role in preserving national heritage and celebrating Qatar's automotive culture. (QNA)