1936 Pontiac Plexiglass Deluxe Six “Ghost Car”. Pic: Salim Matramkot/The Peninsula
The public can now preview the Qatar Auto Museum (QAM) project at the National Museum of Qatar (NMoQ) boasting three iconic vintage cars from Qatar Museums’ collection.
This is along with 20 historic models on loan from members of the Qatar Auto Museum advisory board and Qatar’s community of automobile enthusiasts.
The sneak peak is a teaser of what the community can expect of the Qatar Auto Museum which will sit on 30,000 sqm at the old building of Doha Exhibition Centre at Al Gassar.
Qatar Museums Chairperson H E Sheikha Al Mayassa bint Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani said: “From sporting events like Formula 1 races to classic car shows, car culture has an expansive presence in Qatar. We are thrilled to present this exhibition, which reflects our passions as auto enthusiasts, during a year when so many visitors will come to Doha to celebrate the World Cup.
"The exhibition showcases our culture while introducing an exciting new institution dedicated to providing an inspiring educational and technological experience for all. Qatar Auto Museum will serve as an innovative community hub for auto enthusiasts, students, collectors, engineers, and all who appreciate the impact on our world of the emergence and evolution of the automobile.”
Qatar Museums Chairperson H E Sheikha Al Mayassa bint Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani; President of Qatar Olympic Committee H E Sheikh Joaan bin Hamad Al Thani; Chairman of Qatar Tourism and Qatar Airways Group Chief Executive H E Akbar Al Baker and other guests at Qatar Auto Museum project sneak preview.
QAM President, Dr. Hessa Al Jaber said: “In modern history, very few inventions have impacted everyday life and the broader culture as powerfully and pervasively as the automobile.
"The Qatar Auto Museum will be a showplace for our unsurpassed collection and like all Qatar Museums institutions will spark innovation, creativity, dialogue, and community, as a destination that will offer new and exciting experiences on each visit.”
The Qatar Auto Museum brings the country’s car community under one roof and one mission: to drive culture forward and to inspire the next generation of innovators, designers, engineers, collector, and policymakers through shared passion for cars.
Speaking at the press preview yesterday, QAM Acting Director, Dr. Alkindi Aljawabra said the museum will be a “community hub” making it first of its kind in the region.
“What we are displaying here is the concept design which is the second stage of the project. This year, we will finalise the design of the museum,” he explained. Dr. Aljawabra said the museum will “bring science and technology and cars altogether in one place.”
The indoor display features three iconic vintage cars which are 1936 Ferrari 250 GTO Berlinetta, considered the greatest Ferrari ever made and one of the most valuable of all collector cars; 1936 Pontiac Plexiglass Deluxe Six “Ghost Car,” which is the first transparent car built in America; and the 1949 Delahaye 175 S Roadster described as a moving sculpture and one of the most outstanding and grandiose post-war coachbuilt cars in existence.
The three vintage cars will be on display until January 20, 2023. Meanwhile, the outdoor display which features 20 historic cars will run until April 4.
The museum will have a ground and mezzanine floors featuring lounge and galleries which explore the past, present and future of the automobile and its impact on global life and culture; an edutainment centre with sections such as Made in Qatar workshop – developed and operated in collaboration with Qatar University, Texas A& M University at Qatar, and Qatar Mobility Innovations Centre. The centre will also feature a road and traffic safety lab, an energy and mobility lab, Geekdom Qatar Centre, as well as a library and kids area.
It will also have the Garage and Technology Hub, where the restoration of the classic cars will take place, customisations and redesign and museum’s vault cars. Dr. Aljawabra said there will be several concept cars and futuristic cars will be developed at the said section.
