UAE: 60-year-old citizen owns over 200 classic cars, teaches youngsters art of restoring
A 60-year-old UAE citizen is preserving his legacy while also inspiring the next generation of auto lovers to engage in the art of restoration, ensuring that this passion continues in the Emirates.
Head of the Falaj Al-Mualla Classic Cars Centre, Khalifa Obaid Al Ghufli has amassed a collection of over 200 classic cars from various countries, including the US and Japan.
His journey into the realm of classic cars began from a young age, fuelled by his love for travel and exploration. 'I used to love travelling and seeing the world, which led me to become interested in classic cars,' he shared.
Since 2011, Al Ghufli has taken on the role of an educator, teaching young people from the local community during the summer holidays. He has worked with around 40 to 50 kids, aged 12 and above, instilling in them a passion for vintage cars.
This year, he has partnered with the Ministry of Community Development, to work with high school students, securing a designated space at the youth centre in Falaj Al Mualla. 'They have managed to collect two cars in less than a month,' he revealed, highlighting the rapid progress made by the students.
Al Ghufli has observed a distinct eagerness among the youth to learn through hands-on experience, feeling that they have grown weary of traditional oral education. 'They come to me and don't want to return back to school,' he noted.
He believes that the kinetic sciences are particularly appealing to this generation, as they are integral to engineering, which must be taught in a practical manner. 'I see their joy in this work, and their passion for learning is immense,' he added.
With over 15 years of experience in collecting and restoring these vehicles, he has become a renowned expert, particularly in spare parts for Land Rovers manufactured from 1949 to 1980. 'Foreigners consider me the number one in the world for spare parts of Land Rover,' he stated.
One of Al Ghufli's most valuable possessions is a car that belonged to an English commander during the Suez Crisis in Egypt. He received an offer of Dh550,000 for the vehicle but chose to keep it, underscoring its significance to him.
His influence extends beyond local borders, with universities across the UAE reaching out to collaborate on educating students. Additionally, he has garnered interest from families in other Gulf countries who wish to teach their children this valuable skill.
One of the young Emiratis who is also passionate about classic cars is Ahmed Al-Tamimi, a 25-year-old from Al Ain who is in love with Caprice 1986, and has been working on such cars with his father since he was nine. 'The hardest part was finding spare parts. I would search for months to get pieces,' he said.
He works on one car for around six to one year to get it done. Ahmed's story is emblematic of a growing enthusiasm among young people for classic cars, with gatherings becoming increasingly popular. 'I see the numbers growing'.
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Ahmed advises aspiring car enthusiasts to start working at home to develop their skills and build a connection with automobiles. 'The best feeling is when you work on an engine from scratch and then hear its sound when it first starts,' he said, highlighting the satisfaction of restoration.
Collecting spare parts, while challenging, has become more manageable for Ahmed thanks to his network of acquaintances and fellow enthusiasts. He actively participates in various events, including the annual Diriyah event in Saudi Arabia and gatherings organised by the Sharjah Classic Cars Club.
Looking ahead, he dreams of restoring even more rare vehicles and cherishes the memories of his journey. 'The most memorable moment for me is the first time I started the Plymouth car with my father. The sound and feeling were beautiful,' he recalled.
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