I need to go and have a look at this..........

http://www.autotraderuae.com/index.php?go=cars_for...

Old 7 Alpina, whats not to like?

They do, don't they? Is this the place in Deira you've told me about, Phil?

yup, al hai on salahuddin road. they've got a classic car repair garage out back which always has some nice cars inside, plus a fleet of classic rollers for wedding hire.

what sort of car you after geoff?

i showed a colleague the blue RR classic as he's after one so we went up to al hai last night. sadly it had already gone, but here's a few pics of their stock.

green rrc, jeep wagoneer, manual 944s, 635csi, 928 auto


i think the 944s was AED40k. nice condition and felt a nice place to sit, but overpriced. there were 2 wagoneers, a cream one and this one. i wants one precious, albeit ona 4" lift and 35" tyres

saab 900 turbo, golf cabriolet, bmw 2002


the 2002 was in fantastic condition. i wonder if an s14 engine is available
locally.....


560sec bonnet [one of half a dozen they have], fiat 500, datsun 260z


merc 190 2.5 16v, extremely clean example


opel manta, again squeaky clean



fao jase!


a very eclectic collection


manual/aircon e28 m5 and a series 1 xj


the 3.0cs. supremely beautiful but AED150k and a rushed resto in places. paint and leather were tip top but the rubbers were cracking, overspray on the screen indicating it wasn't a bare shell job, some tired interior trim etc.




very very nice and tidy 512TR. i had the seat as far back as it'd go and couldn't get comfy


clio v6. interior was shagged. i liked the fact it felt like my old clio to sit in but a look over your shoulder and there's a v6 sat there.


out the back, another e28 m5, e21 and 2002 waiting for resto. they also had a few inside the workshop being painted [proper spray booth and oven] and also had a green bmw z1!




well worth a trip, i don't mind visiting again if anyone needs assistance finding the place. the emirati owner is a very nice guy and seems to have a genuine interest in the cars he deals in.

cars are mainly jap imports and some are extremely nice condition wise. i think some received a 'mop & shine' type restoration out the back and prices are a bit rich, but this is easily the best showroom in dubai imho. last time i was there was about 7mths ago, and only 3 cars from back then are still for sale which is a pretty impressive turnover for what is a very niche market.

I know one of the owners or a partner in Al Hai.

If anybody is serious about a car or wants work doing, I can pass along details.

yep, first pic. that, the ferrari 550 and the awful excalibur thing were the only ones that were still around.

to be fair, 25% of the cars are mint, 50% are decent, 25% are dogs. that 928 and the green range definitely fall into the latter category. the turnover on the nicer stuff is remarkable, the e-type has gone ver yquick and the orange chevelle ss he wanted 200k for now seems abandoned outside the yacht club.

friday musing - does anyone know how far you can tune a clio v6 and if a 4wd conversion is possible?

no, that's the one we went to see. apparently sold for 38k so i do hope it was a good un.

i really do think the ideal DD for me is a short wheelbase car with no overhangs and around 300bhp. pref. 4wd and a revvy engine. the clio v6 may be pedestrian inside but they tick a lot of the boxes. i'm sure the handling traits will be less pronounced out here and a quick google reveals 275bhp is possible on a budget.

i know the mini cooper cup cars are road legal here as the cage was factory fitted. i wonder if the same is true for a clio v6 trophy?

reading up, i think the road cars are limited to 275bhp as otherwise the whole drivetrain needs beefing up to cope - $$$$$

was oily's evo that he bought from spencer road legal and if so, how the hell did he manage that?

yeap sounds well worth a trip up there esp as I have a couple of spare s14's for the 2002

So phil what you want is a lancia delta integrale

jonathan mullen sold his a few months back, but i doubt i could afford a nice one.

jason mate you need to put some toys and parts in a container and build something! an 'M2' would make for a very cool commute