A Sneak Peek at Qatar Auto Museum Project: Phase II

Phase II

November – December 2022

The second part of the exhibition expands beyond the National Museum of Qatar to showcase the community and participatory component of the future museum. This exhibition celebrates the rich and distinctive car culture in Qatar through multi-site displays and experiences created in collaboration with, or by, our partners and Advisory Board members.

It includes installations of unique racing cars at heritage sites, exclusive visits to private car museums and freestyle drag and drift performances at motorsport clubs. Highlighting the car as a common thread between diverse nations and a unifying vehicle of cultures, it offers visitors a unique opportunity to experience and learn about Qatar’s car culture, private museums, automotive collectors, motorsport clubs and national champions.

Participants in this exhibition include H.E. Sheikh Joaan bin Hamad Al Thani, H.E. Sheikh Khalid bin Hamad Al Thani, Mr. Salem Saeed Al Mohannadi, Mr. Omar Hussein Al Fardan, Volkswagen AG, Audi Qatar, Sealine Sports Club (Mawater), Qatar Racing Club, Letbelah Museum, Sheikh Faisal bin Qassim Al Thani Museum.

Participating locations:

Al Zubarah

25 October – 19 December

Al Zubarah is one of the best-preserved examples of an 18th- and 19th-century Gulf merchant town that has flourished as a pearling and trading center. In 2013, it was named a UNESCO World Heritage site. The site includes three major features, the archaeological remains of the town, dating back to the 1760s, the settlement of Qal’at Murair, and the Al Zubarah Fort, which was built in 1938.

Visit Al Zubarah and check out the following cars:

Barzan Towers

15 November – 20 December

The Barzan Towers were built in the late 19th century, and were later renovated by Sheikh Mohammed bin Jassim Al Thani, founder of Umm Salal Mohammed village.

Make sure to visit Barzan Towers to also find:

Mawater Warehouse at Msheireb

12 November – 20 December

Msheireb Downtown Doha is a sustainable regeneration project that revives Doha’s historical centre with a new architectural language that is modern yet inspired by traditional Qatari heritage.

Visit Mawater Warehouse at Msheireb to check out the following car:

Audi RS Q e-tron E2
Lighter, more aerodynamic and even more efficient, the Audi RS Q e-tron E2 is the second evolution of the electric off-road endurance racer which secured four stage wins at the Dakar Rally in Saudi Arabia as well as winning its first desert rally at the Abu Dhabi Desert Challenge.

It features an innovative drivetrain concept where a high-voltage battery is charged while driving via an energy converter, making Audi the first car manufacturer to use an electric drivetrain in combination with an efficient energy converter to compete for overall victory against conventionally powered competitors at the Dakar Rally.

Sealine Sports Club (Mawater)

The Sealine Sports Club (Mawater) is the home of freestyle drifting in Qatar. Visit the circuits to watch a freestyle drifting show by Qatari drivers.

For more information, check @mawaterqtr or call +974 5577 2296.

Qatar Racing Club

Qatar Racing Club is the home of Drag Racing in Qatar. The club’s official team, Al-Anabi, has grown to become one of the most successful drag racing teams in the region.

Follow Qatar Racing Club on Instagram (@officialqrc) for the most up-to-date information.

Letbelah

Mr Omar Hussain Alfardan, president and CEO of the Alfardan Group began collecting cars in 1995. Over the years, his passion for collecting intensified as he actively searched for and acquired distinct cars and motorbikes that now form the nucleus of Letbelah, his private museum. The name “Letbelah” was inspired by a word rooted in the Qatari dialect used to refer to the shaded garage area where cars are parked.

The museum currently houses over 130 cars, 35 motorcycles, a collection of Vespas, speed boats and related memorabilia. Letbelah covers a chronological period which spans from the early 1900s through to today. The oldest car in the collection is the 1911 Rolls Royce Silver Ghost 40/50 HP Ceremonial Victoria.

Alfardan’s car collection comprises classic, contemporary, and supercars. His collection includes exclusive cars from internationally recognised automobile manufacturers such as: Rolls-Royce, Ferrari, BMW, Jaguar, Maserati, Land Rover, Mini, Fiat, Abarth, Alfa Romeo, Aston Martin, Cadillac, Ford Shelby, Lotus, and KTM. The cars represent key moments in the social history of the world and were driven by historical figures. Furthermore, cars in his collection have received the first-place prize in multiple worldwide competitions such as the International Concours elegance competition and the Mille Miglia race.

For more information, email info@letbelah.com.

Sheikh Faisal bin Qassim Museum

Built of local stone with traditional turrets, the building represents a collector’s piece in contrast to Qatar’s fast-paced growing landscape. With over 30,000 objects spanning over a hundred years and ranging in size, FBQ Museum could be seen as a modern version of a Cabinet of Curiosities, encapsulating the Sheikh’s personal collection, with a collection including Islamic art, Qatari heritage, vehicles, handmade carpets and coins and currency from over four continents. The diverse rooms and objects tell the story of Sheikh Faisal bin Qassim, his interests, as well as that of humanity in general. FBQ Museum’s car collection is a must-see for car enthusiasts. The perfectly conserved collection is filled with over 600 vintage cars ranging from convertibles to limousines and everything in between.

Make sure to check out the Car Museum section and book a tour in advance. Visit Al Samariya to make a booking.