A historic 1979 Porsche 924 police car, which was used to escort Queen Elizabeth II during her first visit to the UAE, has been restored by Porsche Centre Abu Dhabi and Al Ain. The car, which forms an important part of the UAE police fleet’s history, has been returned to Abu Dhabi Police following its restoration. It will make its first public appearance at the Icons of Porsche event in Dubai in November 2026.
Why Is the 1979 Porsche 924 Important to UAE History?
The Porsche 924 was the first sports car ever purchased by the UAE Federal Police. The car was acquired by Abu Dhabi Police in 1979 to escort Queen Elizabeth II during her first visit to the newly established nation.
The historic visit took place seven years after the UAE was established in 1971. Queen Elizabeth II, accompanied by her husband, Prince Philip, and other members of the delegation, travelled aboard the Royal Yacht Britannia. During their visit to the UAE, they were welcomed by Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, the founding father of the nation.
The Porsche 924 was therefore among the earliest examples of high-performance sports cars used by the country’s police forces.
How Was the Historic Porsche 924 Restored?
The restoration was carried out by Porsche Centre Abu Dhabi and Al Ain, part of Ali & Sons Holding.
The objective was to return the vehicle to its original 1979 condition without compromising its historical significance. One distinctive aspect of the restoration was the recreation of the original police markings, which were hand-painted rather than replaced with modern decal graphics.
This approach helped preserve the vehicle’s original appearance, rather than introducing modern replacement elements that could have altered its historic character.
Where Is the Porsche 924 Following Its Restoration?
The Porsche 924 was officially handed back to Abu Dhabi Police at a ceremony held at Al Maqta Museum in Abu Dhabi.
Al Maqta Museum holds historical significance as one of the emirate’s first police stations. It will serve as the vehicle’s permanent home following its public appearance in Dubai.
Porsche Centre Abu Dhabi and Al Ain, Ali & Sons Holding and Abu Dhabi Police were all involved in the restoration project.
When Will the Restored Porsche 924 Make Its First Public Appearance?
Following its restoration, the historic Porsche 924 will make its public debut at the Icons of Porsche festival, taking place on 21–22 November 2026 at The Square, Nad Al Sheba, Dubai.
Following the event, the restored vehicle will be permanently displayed at Al Maqta Museum in Abu Dhabi.
What Does the Porsche 924 Contribute to UAE Automotive History?
The restoration highlights Porsche’s early role in providing vehicles for the UAE Police Force. In more recent years, UAE police departments have operated several sports cars, including the Porsche 911 and even the all-electric Porsche Taycan.
Nevertheless, the 1979 Porsche 924 represents an early chapter in the history of sports cars used by the UAE’s police forces, having been introduced as a vehicle for royal security and escort duties.
