RE: SBH Royal Auto Gallery Abu Dhabi: PH Photo Gallery
Discussion
Great collection with some very exclusive machines but who would know ...
If you are reading this and represent the Royal family, please express the interest this collection has to motoring fans everywhere ... So why not arrange a full exhibition open to the public alongside the F1 event ..
I would so love the chance of seeing the one off specials from Maclaren, Lamborghini, Aston and many more in the metal ... And whilst the special access afforded to Pistonheads is welcomed, why not open to anyone who wishes to travel and see for themselves
Your collection would be totally respected as those viewing are enthusiasts and would simply be grateful for the opportunity to see such rare cars ..
Thank you and fingers crossed the request can be heard ....
If you are reading this and represent the Royal family, please express the interest this collection has to motoring fans everywhere ... So why not arrange a full exhibition open to the public alongside the F1 event ..
I would so love the chance of seeing the one off specials from Maclaren, Lamborghini, Aston and many more in the metal ... And whilst the special access afforded to Pistonheads is welcomed, why not open to anyone who wishes to travel and see for themselves
Your collection would be totally respected as those viewing are enthusiasts and would simply be grateful for the opportunity to see such rare cars ..
Thank you and fingers crossed the request can be heard ....
k-fest. Yawn.Tim bo said:
Please.
I lived in the UAE.
There is no public accountability. There is no democracy. The rule of law is a sham. Women are treated as objects. 'Lesser' races are treated as little more than slaves and live in slums or labour camps, brought to the UAE to work in pitiful conditions to build the glitz and glamour that Westerners see in Dubai and Abu Dhabi. Nepotism and corruption abound. Everything is run to the whims of the Emirs.
Whereas the West moved on from such monarchistic and feudal systems centuries ago.
I've spent some time in the UAE, have some family living there and I agree pretty much with what you have posted.I lived in the UAE.
There is no public accountability. There is no democracy. The rule of law is a sham. Women are treated as objects. 'Lesser' races are treated as little more than slaves and live in slums or labour camps, brought to the UAE to work in pitiful conditions to build the glitz and glamour that Westerners see in Dubai and Abu Dhabi. Nepotism and corruption abound. Everything is run to the whims of the Emirs.
Whereas the West moved on from such monarchistic and feudal systems centuries ago.
Edited by Tim bo on Saturday 16th December 09:00
However, coming back to the OP and the whole private collection scenario, I certainly don't begrudge the Sheikh his collection, nor do I think that the comments that they should be seen to be used are valid. He's obviously an enthusiast and if that's what he chooses to do with his money then fair play; don't forget that the money that the manufacturer receives from his purchases goes in to keeping the Company solvent and freeing up money on research, etc, which ultimately benefits us all.
In a similar vein, we visited the collection of the 'Rainbow Sheikh' a number of years ago; we just turned up, were granted entry and allowed to tour the place at our leisure. Clarkson was there a few years ago - it's not as well presented as the SBH collection but well worth a visit if you get the chance, there are some really unusual items.
Jalopnik link here if you're interested..
https://jalopnik.com/heres-the-rainbow-sheikhs-unb...
Also lived in the UAE and agree with the recent posts. Rule of law there and any sense of community is merely a facade.
Maybe its just me but knowing the owner did nothing to earn or achieve them gives them little value.
Maybe its just me but knowing the owner did nothing to earn or achieve them gives them little value.
GarageQueen said:
one thing thats strikes me is, it must be hard work finding the very best examples of each marque, in perfect condition etc
No it isn't. Every supercar salesman worth his salt will have the Sheikh or his reps on speed dial. Every manufacturer has sales reps whose job it is to flog their latest overpriced 'special edition' to people like this. You got a new Ferrari with a slightly different paint scheme than the current model? This guy is a nailed on sales lead!Wow jealousy knows no bounds!
I know the collection well and I have also recently visited Jay Leno's collection as well as the Peterson Museum. Some facts about SBH
1. All the cars are registered, insured and turnkey..and the keys are turned!
2. Keeping a first rate collection like this takes time, money, planning and effort. I know many wealthy people who would find this overhead a complete bother and an expensive folly.
3. Adding to point 2, its not been unknown for collectors (and I use the term loosely!) who are simply rich and buy cars and leave them to rot in the sun and sand
4. The collection is by invitation- and its understandable if you ever experience the great unwashed in this (or indeed any) region who have little respect because they have no idea of the value or rarity. I would not be at all surprised if kids were made to sit on the bonnet to have their pics taken..HOWEVER..the Gallery is often and very generously opened to auto clubs etc. The last time I was there we were treated to a 3 course buffet lunch by way of kind hospitality
5. The rest of the development is a true petrol heaven- even the garden is a scale replica of the Yas Marina Circuit- I implore any PH'er to say that the guys behind all this are merely rich..they have a true passion and have spent a huge amount of time on creating such an awesome place.
6. I do however, concede on the Peterson Museum point and the F1 display point.. I do wish the collection was put up on display but I guess its a private collection and not a government one or one that has been put into trust as so many of the USA ones are...so its understand that it remains private- how many of us would give up our cars for the benefit of others.
Oh,,and btw...that camel is a record breaker as being the tallest camel in the world
I know the collection well and I have also recently visited Jay Leno's collection as well as the Peterson Museum. Some facts about SBH
1. All the cars are registered, insured and turnkey..and the keys are turned!
2. Keeping a first rate collection like this takes time, money, planning and effort. I know many wealthy people who would find this overhead a complete bother and an expensive folly.
3. Adding to point 2, its not been unknown for collectors (and I use the term loosely!) who are simply rich and buy cars and leave them to rot in the sun and sand
4. The collection is by invitation- and its understandable if you ever experience the great unwashed in this (or indeed any) region who have little respect because they have no idea of the value or rarity. I would not be at all surprised if kids were made to sit on the bonnet to have their pics taken..HOWEVER..the Gallery is often and very generously opened to auto clubs etc. The last time I was there we were treated to a 3 course buffet lunch by way of kind hospitality
5. The rest of the development is a true petrol heaven- even the garden is a scale replica of the Yas Marina Circuit- I implore any PH'er to say that the guys behind all this are merely rich..they have a true passion and have spent a huge amount of time on creating such an awesome place.
6. I do however, concede on the Peterson Museum point and the F1 display point.. I do wish the collection was put up on display but I guess its a private collection and not a government one or one that has been put into trust as so many of the USA ones are...so its understand that it remains private- how many of us would give up our cars for the benefit of others.
Oh,,and btw...that camel is a record breaker as being the tallest camel in the world
Edited by Paracetamol on Sunday 17th December 09:52
The wealth of the family is estimated to be around 560 billion pounds and they run the UAE as they please,so the analogy with the British Royal family is tenuous at best.
I dont doubt that he is passioned about the cars,if i had 17 billion in accounts i would amass quite the collection too.Five Veyrons is vulgar,but maybe he is a fan.The Sergio is ugly.
I dont doubt that he is passioned about the cars,if i had 17 billion in accounts i would amass quite the collection too.Five Veyrons is vulgar,but maybe he is a fan.The Sergio is ugly.
Cars were not born to do anything. Cars were assembled to be sold. It is entirely up to the owner what he or she chooses to do with their purchases.
Personally I think it’s a fantastic collection and beautifully displayed in a wonderful setting.
Seeing half worn out cars covered in road grime and salt corrosion doesn’t do it for me but if that’s what you like to do then nobody is stopping you. And it’s not a waste to keep the cars beautiful. They’re fantastic machines and they can be looked and and appreciated for aesthetic and engineering without driving them so much.
It might seem a waste to have five veyrons but you don’t know anything about the deal that put there and neither do I. It is just as likely to be a result of a relationship with Bugatti and the specific deal made that resulted in 5 cars appearing as it is the guy picking up the phone and saying “I actually want to buy 5.”
I didn’t want a panamera but the sales guy made it pretty clear that if I wanted a GT3 I had to buy one. If I’d gone along with it you’d look in from the outside and assume I like the panamera. Which I don’t think I do.
Personally I think it’s a fantastic collection and beautifully displayed in a wonderful setting.
Seeing half worn out cars covered in road grime and salt corrosion doesn’t do it for me but if that’s what you like to do then nobody is stopping you. And it’s not a waste to keep the cars beautiful. They’re fantastic machines and they can be looked and and appreciated for aesthetic and engineering without driving them so much.
It might seem a waste to have five veyrons but you don’t know anything about the deal that put there and neither do I. It is just as likely to be a result of a relationship with Bugatti and the specific deal made that resulted in 5 cars appearing as it is the guy picking up the phone and saying “I actually want to buy 5.”
I didn’t want a panamera but the sales guy made it pretty clear that if I wanted a GT3 I had to buy one. If I’d gone along with it you’d look in from the outside and assume I like the panamera. Which I don’t think I do.
Some really jealous types on here.
First of all, if it's immoral to buy these cars because people are starving, then it's immoral to make them, sell them, write about them and dream about them. And DRIVE them.
Cars wasted by not being driven on the public road? Rubbish. It's a collection, not a daily driver garage, Most of those cars have no business being on a public road anyway. Track or air conditioned garage is the only place for them. Maybe the owners have proper track cars anyway.
Sterile environment? Putting up the usual Marlboro/Martini Fags and Booze corporate logos on the wall doesn't make it someone more a Pistonhead than someone who likes a minimalist look and prefers to focus on the cars themselves.
How they make their money is irrelevant to the idea of a collection. Some collectors are criminals, some are tech heads, some have inherited huge wealth, some are there through corruption. Or selling lots of junk. Or porn.
If people think these car companies make these hyper expensive cars for the enjoyment of millions of piston heads around the word they are utterly deluded. All this machinery that journos get existed about are specifically for this type of ultra rich buyer and are to be locked away or taken out only for special occasions. All the car companies are at it. We are merely guests who get to look at some pictures now and then.
First of all, if it's immoral to buy these cars because people are starving, then it's immoral to make them, sell them, write about them and dream about them. And DRIVE them.
Cars wasted by not being driven on the public road? Rubbish. It's a collection, not a daily driver garage, Most of those cars have no business being on a public road anyway. Track or air conditioned garage is the only place for them. Maybe the owners have proper track cars anyway.
Sterile environment? Putting up the usual Marlboro/Martini Fags and Booze corporate logos on the wall doesn't make it someone more a Pistonhead than someone who likes a minimalist look and prefers to focus on the cars themselves.
How they make their money is irrelevant to the idea of a collection. Some collectors are criminals, some are tech heads, some have inherited huge wealth, some are there through corruption. Or selling lots of junk. Or porn.
If people think these car companies make these hyper expensive cars for the enjoyment of millions of piston heads around the word they are utterly deluded. All this machinery that journos get existed about are specifically for this type of ultra rich buyer and are to be locked away or taken out only for special occasions. All the car companies are at it. We are merely guests who get to look at some pictures now and then.
The Crack Fox said:
Pointless, vulgar, repugnant.
In other words......PH Heaven 
Those people accusing the UAE of being a dictatorship...yes, that's true. Just like our own country was several hundred years ago and I'm sure our Royals behaved no better or no worse.. I'm not defending them, I'm just saying it's a process that most countries seem to go through, some quicker than others. The UAE royals are just enjoying their moment.
With regards to "pointless/vulgar/repugnant/wasteful" you could attach that label to most luxury items, be it a Faberge Egg, Lucien Freud's "Head VI", a Rolex watch, or a bar of gold.
It's an amazing collection. Everything else is ancillary and superfluous IMHO.
That's not an awesome collection - that's a childish collection. It's exactly what a little boy would do - grab one of everything that looks fast or expensive.
So even ignoring the "not driven / not registered" show-stopper (would you buy a multi-million dollar Michelangelo or Gaugin and lock it in a drawer?), there's no THOUGHT gone into that collection at all.
100%.
So even ignoring the "not driven / not registered" show-stopper (would you buy a multi-million dollar Michelangelo or Gaugin and lock it in a drawer?), there's no THOUGHT gone into that collection at all.
Article said:
There aren't many old cars in the collection, with a lonely 300SL representing the classics as best it can
Which says it all to me - here's someone who has ZERO understanding of cars, of supercars, of homologation specials, and what they mean. This is just a way to spend money because the owner is bored.DrSteveBrule said:
Aside from the F40, seeing row after row of supercars lessens the experience.
When diamonds are advertised, you don't see a page full of diamonds; you see one and that creates the value.
When diamonds are advertised, you don't see a page full of diamonds; you see one and that creates the value.
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