Sharjah Classic Cars Festival 2026 Winners Crowned Across Four Categories

The third Sharjah Classic Cars Festival closed on 25 January 2026 at Sharjah Classic Cars Club, following four days of activity that drew more than 18,000 visitors. Over 300 classic and rare vehicles were on display, while awards, public voting and expert evaluations highlighted preservation efforts across the regional classic car sector.

Organised under the theme "When Time Moves", the festival presented classic cars as evolving narratives rather than static objects. Exhibitions, talks and family activities linked design, manufacturing history and personal memories. Visitors moved between display areas, discussion panels and interactive spaces, engaging with heritage vehicles through a contemporary museum-style experience.

Awards were central to the 2026 Sharjah Classic Cars Festival programme. Dr. Mohammed bin Butti Al Hajeri, Vice Chairman of the Board of Directors of Sharjah Classic Cars Club, and Ahmed Hamad Al Suwaidi, Board Member and Chairman of the Organising Committee, honoured winners in four categories designed to recognise originality, condition and public appeal.

Majed Al Bardan, Board Member of Sharjah Classic Cars Club, Chairman of the Strategy and Institutional Excellence Committee, and Head of the Awards Jury, outlined the judging framework, which aimed to secure objective outcomes. Criteria covered vehicle history, authenticity, mechanical status and presentation quality, ensuring that decisions reflected both technical standards and cultural significance.

The "Elite Cars" field brought together five high-profile vehicles: Ferrari 512 (1987) owned by Sheikh Rashid Al Nuaimi, DMC DeLorean (1981) from Dr Saeed Al Mutawa, Rolls-Royce Coupé (1979) entered by Shihab Gargash, Porsche 912 (1955) belonging to Mohammed Al Qamzi, and Lamborghini Diablo (1993) from Dr. Ahmed Al Zarooni.

Factory-correct restoration standards were recognised through the "Best Factory-Condition Classic Car" awards. First place went to Mercedes C220 (1958) presented by Gargash Enterprises. Second position was awarded to Toyota Land Cruiser (1980) owned by Ahmed Al Mazrouei, while Trans Am (1979) from Nasser Al Dhaheri secured third place in this category.

Individual distinctions complemented the competitive rankings. The oldest participating vehicle award went to Jaguar XJS120 (1951), owned by Dr. Ahmed Al Zarooni, underlining long-term preservation efforts. Public engagement was reflected in the "People’s Choice" prize, which went to Chevrolet Camaro (1991) exhibited by Qais Al Balushi, following visitor voting across the festival days.

Institutional backing remained important for operational delivery and safety. The festival recognised the contributions of Sharjah Volunteer Centre, Sharjah Civil Defence Authority, Sharjah Self-defence Sports Club, and Abu Dhabi Classic Cars Club. These organisations supported logistics, crowd management, community outreach and specialist programming throughout the four-day schedule.

Strategic and commercial partnerships framed the event as a broad cultural platform. The Gulf Mechanical Centre participated as a key partner, BMW acted as official sponsor, and Sharjah Driving Institute served as gold sponsor. Sharjah Commerce and Tourism Development Authority joined as strategic partner, aligning the festival with wider tourism and cultural objectives within the emirate.

Beyond the showground, Emirates Post collaborated with Sharjah Classic Cars Club and Museum on a commemorative stamp series. The collection featured rare vehicles from the collection of His Highness Sheikh Dr. Sultan bin Mohammed Al Qasimi, Supreme Council Member and Ruler of Sharjah, creating a visual archive of mechanical heritage for collectors and philatelists.

The 2026 edition assembled vehicles from Europe, the United States and Japan, offering visitors access to rare models and diverse engineering approaches. Collectors and specialists discussed restoration techniques, preservation challenges and modification issues in open sessions. Dr. Mohammed bin Butti Al Hajeri said the festival promotes responsible collecting and builds a knowledge-based community around classic cars, supporting the sector’s sustainability and cultural value. Dr. Al Hajeri thanked participants, vehicle owners, and visitors, as well as sponsors, partners, social media figures, and media organisations that helped convey the festival's cultural message locally and regionally.

With inputs from WAM