Sharjah Classic Cars Festival Highlights Memory And Collecting In Second Day Panels

The third edition of Sharjah Classic Cars Festival is drawing visitors with more than 300 classic and rare vehicles, extensive dialogue sessions, and family activities. The programme highlights how classic cars link personal memories with industrial heritage, while offering an open cultural space for residents and visitors in the UAE and wider region.

This year’s edition presents models from Japan, Europe, and the United States in one organised display. The arrangement allows visitors to compare design styles across decades and regions. Alongside the exhibition area, the festival hosts specialised talks and interactive activities that give the event both cultural and entertainment value.

The dialogue programme, held under the theme "When Time Moves On," continues until the evening of January 25. Organisers use these sessions to shift focus from individual experiences to shared social stories. The second day includes two panel discussions that examine the human, artistic, and social sides of classic motoring culture.

One of the key sessions on the second day is titled "A Car's Story." The panel features Dr. Nasser Al-Masari and is moderated by journalist Yousef Al-Hammadi. The discussion explores how a single vehicle can hold layers of memory, personal history, and technical detail that appeal to enthusiasts and general audiences.

Dr. Al-Masari describes buying a first classic car in 1984 while studying in the United States. At that time, specialised magazines and books are the main sources of information. Over the years, the collection grows to include rare vehicles, including a 1929 Cadillac regarded as one of the rarest models worldwide.

The conversation also addresses why collectors value older vehicles beyond their use as transport. Al-Masari explains that historic models have artistic and aesthetic qualities, and notes that earlier design lines are closer to music and fine art than many recent designs, which are strongly shaped by commercial priorities.

Key details from this year’s Sharjah Classic Cars Festival are shown below.

Through its large display, structured dialogue programme, and family-friendly events, Sharjah Classic Cars Festival continues to present classic motoring as part of cultural life. The mix of technical detail, personal stories, and public access supports growing interest in automotive heritage across Sharjah, the UAE, and the wider Middle East.

With inputs from WAM