Kuwait: Enchanting historical vintage and classic cars museum
By John V. Tauro, Mangalore
Bellevision Media Network
Kuwait, 18 Mar 2012: Those visiting for a short period and for those who are working and residing in Kuwait, a visit to the enchanting historical vintage and classical cars museum is highly recommended as it presents a rich collection of vintage vehicles that are just mesmerizing.
Kuwait launched the long awaited Historical, Vintage and Classic Cars Museum in October 2011, starting with a parade of historical and vintage cars from the Kuwait Towers to the museum, passing through the whole of the Arabian Gulf Street, to announce the opening of the museum and the start of its activities.
The establishment of the museum is important to show the whole world the rich cultural heritage and historical tradition of Kuwait, especially in the historical automotive sector, since it is considered the richest country in the world in this field. The main aim of establishing the museum is to document the automotive information and connect the current and future generation to their past and urge them to complete the journey of our great civilization.
The chief objectives of launching the Historical, Vintage and Classic Cars Museum is to preserve the Kuwaiti historical automotive culture with the vehicles that witnessed an important era and holds valuable historical value, to be the part of the nation’s cultural and touristic activities; to Inform and educate the public about the international automotive manufacturers and their pioneers; to Maintai ,service and supply of spare parts for historical cars; and to hold international concourses and exhibitions of historical, vintage and classic cars.
The museum houses many of the historical, vintage and classic cars, including that of the late Amir of Kuwait His Highness Sheikh Jaber Al-Ahmad Al-Sabah - an Imperial that he used during his tenure as governor of Ahmadi. It also includes the Presidential Car of HH the late Amir of Kuwait Sheikh Abdullah Al-Salem Al-Sabah - a Lincoln that was also the presidential car of HH the late Amir of Kuwait Sheikh Sabah Al-Salem Al-Sabah.
The museum also includes internationally known cars such as the Secret Agent - James Bond 007 Aston Martin DB5 car that he used in his movies, in addition to many of distinctive and historical cars. It is worth mentioning that Jawad Bukhamseen graciously donated his Vintage BMW Car to the museum, this very car was the winner of the Kuwait Concours d’Elegance 2010 that took place for the first time in the Middle East in Kuwait in January 2010.
The Historical, Vintage and Classic Cars Museum is located at Street 49,block 1, Shuwaikh Industrial Area and it is open on Saturday to Thursday from 8 am-12 midday and 4 pm-9 pm and on Fridays at 9-12 and 3-10.
Being in Kuwait for a short visit, I took the opportunity to visit the museum on March 12, 2012. I met the Security Officers, Mr. Hani Masri an Egyptian and Mr. Manish from Nepal. They informed me that most of the enthusiastic people visit the museum on Fridays and on holidays. Most of the visitors belong to Kuwait and other Gulf countries. Tourists from other countries also make it a point to visit the museum.
The museum has a well equipped workshop facility which allows enthusiasts to undertake a wide range of work on their vehicles, from simple oil change to an engine rebuild. The comprehensively equipped facility is the envy of many garages and provides an enclosed and air conditioned location for classic car owners to work on their vehicles in the company of other enthusiasts and to benefit from shred experience.
The Museum also has an extensive library of motoring publications from around the world. It provides an essential resource for anyone researching prior to restoring their car or for anyone with an avid interest to discovering more about motoring history.
Here you will find the histories of all major as well as many of those smaller companies which have since been consigned to history .biographies of well known motoring personalities are also available-from racing drivers to designers to racing team owners and the renowned pioneers of motoring.
The library is open during regular museum opening hours and provides a quiet and comfortable environment and reading room.
The museum also houses the Car Museum City. This facility is a safe and controlled environment for children between the ages to 7 to 16 to gain vital experience on a road network and to learn the key rules of safe driving.
The circuit is housed within in an air conditioned purpose built center. While driving the children learn how to react when encountering other road users and the circuit features working traffic lights and real life road signs and road markings.
Each session begins with the class room briefing after which the children who had learnt the basics of safety on the roads will receive a license permitting them to take a circuit.