500 of the UAE’s privately-owned super and luxury cars and bikes

Motor mania took over Dubai’s streets today as thousands of car-loving spectators flocked to marvel at a breathtaking AED500 million (US $ 136 million) convoy of more than 500 of the UAE’s privately-owned super and luxury cars and bikes at the inaugural Dubai Grand Parade – the emirate’s first multi-brand Parade of its type.

One of the keynote events in this week’s debut Dubai Motor Festival – a week-long, spectator-friendly motoring extravaganza – the Dubai Grand Parade attracted owners of the crème de la crème of the UAE’s super and luxury car and bike marques, such as Lamborghini, Ferrari, McLaren, Rolls Royce, Aston Martin, Maserati, Shelby Super Cars, Harley Davidson and Ducati.

With more than 350 brands and models in the kilometre-long convoy, frenzied crowds cheered their favourites as the fleet left Trade Centre roundabout on the 45-kilometre route.

The convoy, which included Dubai Police’s iconic fleet of green and white supercars, was formally waved on its way by Dr. Mohammed Ben Sulayem, President of the Automobile and Touring Club of the UAE (ATCUAE), Vice President of the FIA for Sport and Ambassador of the Dubai Grand Parade.

“For me, the best word to sum up the Parade is energy, it’s everywhere – the cars, the drivers, the spectators, everywhere you look people are revelling in the occasion,” said Ben Sulayem, who also contributed vehicles from his private collection to the event. “The Parade is a mechanism which links society and it will build a stronger motoring community in Dubai. This event brings together owners, drivers, the watching public, the Police and all the other government organisers; it is a fantastic addition to Dubai’s diverse event calendar.”

The Parade’s rarer entries were warmly received by awe-struck spectators, who gasped in wonder as a swathe of expensive supercars and bikes mingled with a series of unique vehicles, including a fully-customised 1951 Cadillac, an off-white 1976 Corvette, a custom-made Shelbey Cobra called ‘Lucille’, a sand-coloured 1970 Morris Miner van and a vintage convertible Saxon dating back to 1912.

“The Morris Miner van is an ex-English Post Office van from Yorkshire,” said its British owner, John Campbell, joined by his son, Alex, and daughter, Leyli, at the Parade.  “It was shipped to Malta in 1974 where a vintage car enthusiast found, bought and restored her. I’ve only had the van six months and the Parade is its first public outing – it’s great to be taking part.”

Ahlam Zahawi, the owner of the 1912 Saxon, was thrilled when told her entry was officially the Parade’s oldest vehicle. “I bought the Saxon three years ago in California,” said Zahawi. “We are very happy and proud to have the oldest car here – this car has so much history and it is making more history today in the first Dubai Grand Parade.”

One car which caught numerous fans’ attentions was a gleaming white Porsche 1600 Super – a car made famous by actress Kelly McGillis in the 1986 motion picture, Top Gun.

“The old Porsche was my favourite – it has been ever since the movie came out,” laughed Michelle Hayward, who lined up to see the Parade after visiting the Dubai International Motor Show with her husband and daughter. “We’re from the States and this show is better than anything we saw at home – it’s great for the kids.”

An iconic, silver Aston Martin DB5 – famously driven by actor Sean Connery in the 1965 James Bond film, Goldfinger – drew huge applause when it passed two purpose-built Spectators Zones at Madinat Jumeirah and Downtown Dubai. Georgina Malone, a Zurich resident visiting Dubai on a business trip with her husband, Michael, was very impressed with the ‘once-in-a-lifetime’ Parade experience.

“I love the old cars more than the new ones but there’s still been some great bling going on – we’re delighted to see that,” smiled Malone. “The highlight for me was the James Bond car and it’s been brilliant to see it on my first trip to Dubai – I’ve never seen one before.”

Michael’s tastes were somewhat more modern. When quizzed on his favourite car, he replied: “The collection of Bugattis, hands down.”

Fahad Alyahya, a Saudi national visiting the UAE for this week’s Dubai International Motor Show, was another impressed spectator.

“This is the first Parade I have ever seen that combines modern supercars and classics – it is fantastic,” said Alyahya. “We flew in from Riyadh this morning and the whole family is happy – we’ve seen everything we wanted to and more.”

Elsewhere, Dubai’s Saeed Bushalat, driving a fully-customised 1939 Ford Tudor, the only one in the world, revealed the Parade’s drivers had been soaking up the acclaim.

“This is the first time this car has been in a Parade,” said. “It’s been in two shows in the US and won both of them. I’ve taken my Ferrari to other Parades around the world before but it’s great to be able to drive the Tudor in Dubai. The drivers loved the attention and it’s been a special day for every owner.”

With more than 76 Parade entries, Ferrari was a hot topic on many spectators’ lips. “The Parade is great, I love it,” said Yasser Katbi, a UAE national. “It’s a great event for Dubai and perfect because I can see all my dreams cars in one place. My favourite is Bugatti and my second favourite is Ferrari – there’s so many here. I’ve never seen so many in one place.”

Finally, with three British-made entries in the Parade, expatriate Kevin Jones’s 2011 Morgan Roadster, V12 Jaguar Mark 3 E-Type and super rare 1963 MGP Roadster were all popular entries – especially with camera-wielding fans at the free-to-attend Car Gallery at DWTC, the Parade’s finish-line.

Held under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Hamdan Bin Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Crown Prince of Dubai, the Dubai Motor Festival is presented by Dubai Festivals and Retail Establishment (DFRE), an agency of the Department of Tourism and Commerce Marketing (DTCM). The Dubai Grand Parade was organised by DWTC, with the support of Dubai Police and the RTA, Emaar, Madinat Jumeirah, ATCUAE and Emirates Motor Sports Federation.

Tomorrow is the final day of the Dubai International Motor Show, where there are 600 vehicles on display including a record 108 global and regional launches, as well as 15 concept cars by the world’s leading motoring manufacturers. The show is also home to a Nissan experiential 4×4 track, a Hyundai World Cup Competition that focuses on football skills and a Fastest Tyre Change contest sponsored by Pirelli and Wheels Magazine. Tickets can be purchased on the door at DWTC.