Egg and SV clamped outside Harrods - Qatari Royal Family
Discussion
Had to happen, and I'm quite glad it did. Generally these guys are bad (sometimes dangerous) drivers and should be a bit more respectful about where they are.
Amazing cars though - hope they weren't damaged by the clampers. I keep seeing these cars driving around, there's a Zonda Cinque I've seen a few times with UAE plates on it (I think). Just awesome!
Amazing cars though - hope they weren't damaged by the clampers. I keep seeing these cars driving around, there's a Zonda Cinque I've seen a few times with UAE plates on it (I think). Just awesome!
Out of interest, why are the Arabic royalty (Qatar, Dubai etc) always seen with these types of cars? Not sure I've ever seen any other royalty, or heads of state etc in a sportscar. Come to think of it, its rare to see filmstars in them too. Just seems to be Arabic royalty and footballers.
kryten22uk said:
Out of interest, why are the Arabic royalty (Qatar, Dubai etc) always seen with these types of cars? Not sure I've ever seen any other royalty, or heads of state etc in a sportscar. Come to think of it, its rare to see filmstars in them too. Just seems to be Arabic royalty and footballers.
Do any other royal family have billions as opposed to millions? I guess it's something to do with the culture. The whole region is full of supercars and other vulgar displays of wealth.cronk-flakes said:
kryten22uk said:
Out of interest, why are the Arabic royalty (Qatar, Dubai etc) always seen with these types of cars? Not sure I've ever seen any other royalty, or heads of state etc in a sportscar. Come to think of it, its rare to see filmstars in them too. Just seems to be Arabic royalty and footballers.
Do any other royal family have billions as opposed to millions? I guess it's something to do with the culture. The whole region is full of supercars and other vulgar displays of wealth.I have to say though, that I find the notion that the wealth of a land falls entirely into the pockets of a token bloodline, at the expense of all other inhabitants, is quite wrong.
I have nothing against our Royal family, as they are relatively benign, but in some other countries its still quite a medieval approach to society.
kryten22uk said:
Out of interest, why are the Arabic royalty (Qatar, Dubai etc) always seen with these types of cars? Not sure I've ever seen any other royalty, or heads of state etc in a sportscar. Come to think of it, its rare to see filmstars in them too. Just seems to be Arabic royalty and footballers.
Give me a Bently anytime.
cronk-flakes said:
kryten22uk said:
Out of interest, why are the Arabic royalty (Qatar, Dubai etc) always seen with these types of cars? Not sure I've ever seen any other royalty, or heads of state etc in a sportscar. Come to think of it, its rare to see filmstars in them too. Just seems to be Arabic royalty and footballers.
Do any other royal family have billions as opposed to millions? I guess it's something to do with the culture. The whole region is full of supercars and other vulgar displays of wealth.Is owning a supercar always a "vulgar display of wealth"? For these guys it's transport befitting their funds. That's all. If we are impressed/offended, then I think it may be jealously creeping in actually.
I've met a few and know of some pretty senior "Royal family types" and they're always unfailingly polite and down to earth. More to the point, these cars are nothing to them. They're certainly not considered displays of wealth because back home they're really not that impressive. I remember a conversation I had with the son of one of the rulers of the less well known city states that make up the UAE - this guy was a wonderfully down-to-earth chap and he said very matter-of-factly: "In my country a Ferrari 430 is like a taxi". And he's right. The average net worth of a guy in Abu Dhabi for example runs to millions. (I believe something like $15M). What do you expect them to drive? Honda Civics?
Related to that, if they really want to "display" their wealth to people, they'll show you their yacht(s) or their Gulfstream(s). (By the way, from what I know, interestingly these guys in London are more junior/convoluted royal family members. The more senior guys dont bother with London, they really are on their superyachts in the French Riviera). In all cases these cars are their equivalent of a skateboard.
PS.- I believe the Qatari royal family now own Harrods,(and MASSIVE acreage in prime central London, including backing 1 Hyde Park, owning Chelsea barracks and loads of Knightsbridge, Belgravia etc ). If they want to park their own cars outside their own "shop" we shouldn't whinge about it.
Just my two pennies.
Edited: (ooops: Lambomartin pointed out Harrods thing already!)
Edited by Murcielago_Boy on Thursday 29th July 16:54
I for one hope the clampers did damage the wheels, then hopefully the owners will sue for a darn sight more than the ticket !
Also agree with the wealth/car ratio point - if I had the cash, I'd buy them so why the hell not?
Good on em', gives us all more chance to see such rare (well, possibility not in that there London) beasts
Also agree with the wealth/car ratio point - if I had the cash, I'd buy them so why the hell not?
Good on em', gives us all more chance to see such rare (well, possibility not in that there London) beasts
Edited by AngryApples on Thursday 29th July 17:27
Murcielago_Boy said:
cronk-flakes said:
kryten22uk said:
Out of interest, why are the Arabic royalty (Qatar, Dubai etc) always seen with these types of cars? Not sure I've ever seen any other royalty, or heads of state etc in a sportscar. Come to think of it, its rare to see filmstars in them too. Just seems to be Arabic royalty and footballers.
Do any other royal family have billions as opposed to millions? I guess it's something to do with the culture. The whole region is full of supercars and other vulgar displays of wealth.Is owning a supercar always a "vulgar display of wealth"? For these guys it's transport befitting their funds. That's all. If we are impressed/offended, then I think it may be jealously creeping in actually.
I've met a few and know of some pretty senior "Royal family types" and they're always unfailingly polite and down to earth. More to the point, these cars are nothing to them. They're certainly not considered displays of wealth because back home they're really not that impressive. I remember a conversation I had with the son of one of the rulers of the less well known city states that make up the UAE - this guy was a wonderfully down-to-earth chap and he said very matter-of-factly: "In my country a Ferrari 430 is like a taxi". And he's right. The average net worth of a guy in Abu Dhabi for example runs to millions. (I believe something like $15M). What do you expect them to drive? Honda Civics?
Related to that, if they really want to "display" their wealth to people, they'll show you their yacht(s) or their Gulfstream(s). (By the way, from what I know, interestingly these guys in London are more junior/convoluted royal family members. The more senior guys dont bother with London, they really are on their superyachts in the French Riviera). In all cases these cars are their equivalent of a skateboard.
PS.- I believe the Qatari royal family now own Harrods,(and MASSIVE acreage in prime central London, including backing 1 Hyde Park, owning Chelsea barracks and loads of Knightsbridge, Belgravia etc ). If they want to park their own cars outside their own "shop" we shouldn't whinge about it.
Just my two pennies.
Edited: (ooops: Lambomartin pointed out Harrods thing already!)
Edited by Murcielago_Boy on Thursday 29th July 16:54
jdw1234 said:
Murcielago_Boy said:
cronk-flakes said:
kryten22uk said:
Out of interest, why are the Arabic royalty (Qatar, Dubai etc) always seen with these types of cars? Not sure I've ever seen any other royalty, or heads of state etc in a sportscar. Come to think of it, its rare to see filmstars in them too. Just seems to be Arabic royalty and footballers.
Do any other royal family have billions as opposed to millions? I guess it's something to do with the culture. The whole region is full of supercars and other vulgar displays of wealth.Is owning a supercar always a "vulgar display of wealth"? For these guys it's transport befitting their funds. That's all. If we are impressed/offended, then I think it may be jealously creeping in actually.
I've met a few and know of some pretty senior "Royal family types" and they're always unfailingly polite and down to earth. More to the point, these cars are nothing to them. They're certainly not considered displays of wealth because back home they're really not that impressive. I remember a conversation I had with the son of one of the rulers of the less well known city states that make up the UAE - this guy was a wonderfully down-to-earth chap and he said very matter-of-factly: "In my country a Ferrari 430 is like a taxi". And he's right. The average net worth of a guy in Abu Dhabi for example runs to millions. (I believe something like $15M). What do you expect them to drive? Honda Civics?
Related to that, if they really want to "display" their wealth to people, they'll show you their yacht(s) or their Gulfstream(s). (By the way, from what I know, interestingly these guys in London are more junior/convoluted royal family members. The more senior guys dont bother with London, they really are on their superyachts in the French Riviera). In all cases these cars are their equivalent of a skateboard.
PS.- I believe the Qatari royal family now own Harrods,(and MASSIVE acreage in prime central London, including backing 1 Hyde Park, owning Chelsea barracks and loads of Knightsbridge, Belgravia etc ). If they want to park their own cars outside their own "shop" we shouldn't whinge about it.
Just my two pennies.
Edited: (ooops: Lambomartin pointed out Harrods thing already!)
Edited by Murcielago_Boy on Thursday 29th July 16:54
cronk-flakes said:
kryten22uk said:
Out of interest, why are the Arabic royalty (Qatar, Dubai etc) always seen with these types of cars? Not sure I've ever seen any other royalty, or heads of state etc in a sportscar. Come to think of it, its rare to see filmstars in them too. Just seems to be Arabic royalty and footballers.
Do any other royal family have billions as opposed to millions? I guess it's something to do with the culture. The whole region is full of supercars and other vulgar displays of wealth.Murcielago_Boy said:
I think it may be jealously creeping in actually.
I've met a few and know of some pretty senior "Royal family types" and they're always unfailingly polite and down to earth. More to the point, these cars are nothing to them. They're certainly not considered displays of wealth because back home they're really not that impressive. I remember a conversation I had with the son of one of the rulers of the less well known city states that make up the UAE - this guy was a wonderfully down-to-earth chap and he said very matter-of-factly: "In my country a Ferrari 430 is like a taxi". And he's right. The average net worth of a guy in Abu Dhabi for example runs to millions. (I believe something like $15M). What do you expect them to drive? Honda Civics?
Too right, I'm jealous. I've met a few and know of some pretty senior "Royal family types" and they're always unfailingly polite and down to earth. More to the point, these cars are nothing to them. They're certainly not considered displays of wealth because back home they're really not that impressive. I remember a conversation I had with the son of one of the rulers of the less well known city states that make up the UAE - this guy was a wonderfully down-to-earth chap and he said very matter-of-factly: "In my country a Ferrari 430 is like a taxi". And he's right. The average net worth of a guy in Abu Dhabi for example runs to millions. (I believe something like $15M). What do you expect them to drive? Honda Civics?
(Or is it envious?) Except, I'd take the money but not spend it in the same way.Something doesn't quite make sense. If these cars were nothing to them, they wouldn't be shocking pink or chrome gold. I'd take a supercar in black, please. I can honestly say that because of their choice of colours, I would rather not be seen driving their cars.
ShadownINja said:
Murcielago_Boy said:
I think it may be jealously creeping in actually.
I've met a few and know of some pretty senior "Royal family types" and they're always unfailingly polite and down to earth. More to the point, these cars are nothing to them. They're certainly not considered displays of wealth because back home they're really not that impressive. I remember a conversation I had with the son of one of the rulers of the less well known city states that make up the UAE - this guy was a wonderfully down-to-earth chap and he said very matter-of-factly: "In my country a Ferrari 430 is like a taxi". And he's right. The average net worth of a guy in Abu Dhabi for example runs to millions. (I believe something like $15M). What do you expect them to drive? Honda Civics?
Too right, I'm jealous. I've met a few and know of some pretty senior "Royal family types" and they're always unfailingly polite and down to earth. More to the point, these cars are nothing to them. They're certainly not considered displays of wealth because back home they're really not that impressive. I remember a conversation I had with the son of one of the rulers of the less well known city states that make up the UAE - this guy was a wonderfully down-to-earth chap and he said very matter-of-factly: "In my country a Ferrari 430 is like a taxi". And he's right. The average net worth of a guy in Abu Dhabi for example runs to millions. (I believe something like $15M). What do you expect them to drive? Honda Civics?
(Or is it envious?) Except, I'd take the money but not spend it in the same way.Something doesn't quite make sense. If these cars were nothing to them, they wouldn't be shocking pink or chrome gold. I'd take a supercar in black, please. I can honestly say that because of their choice of colours, I would rather not be seen driving their cars.
Murcielago_Boy said:
cronk-flakes said:
kryten22uk said:
Is owning a supercar always a "vulgar display of wealth"? For these guys it's transport befitting their funds.
Vulgar display of wealth? Of course it isn't. They just illegally parked outside Harrods because they couldn't find a parking space :-)Edited by Murcielago_Boy on Thursday 29th July 16:54
What a complete load of tosh. For some, owning a Supercar is a hobby / weekend pass-time - but for many many owners - it is exactly that - a vulgar display of wealth.
Transport befitting their funds? Then why not get dropped off in your chauffeur driven RR and keep your Supercar for the open roads outside of London?
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