Exclusive Interview with Shaikh Faisal bin Qassim Al Thani
- Maqina Team
- 2 hours ago
- 5 min read
1. Your Excellency, what does the upcoming car exhibition mean to you personally and to the Qatari community interested in automobiles?
My participation in the Grand Car Exhibition 2025 is a unique opportunity to share a part of the heritage connected to the world of automobiles with a broad and diverse audience within
Qatar and abroad. By showcasing ten rare and special cars from my personal collection, I aim to enrich the exhibition experience by adding historical depth and cultural context to an event that confidently looks toward the future.
My goal is to fuel an interest in classic cars amongst the younger generations, ensuring the continued preservation of treasured vehicles and an appreciation for automotive history and its role in shaping the modern world.
These events embody how heritage and innovation can complement each other and opens doors for young people to better understand the past while embracing the future and modern technologies.
2. What is your vision for the future of car exhibitions in the coming years? What role do you see them playing in the region?
Exhibitions today have evolved into a standalone industry they are no longer merely events for displaying things. Rather, exhibitions have developed into a major market in their own right, contributing to the stimulation of tourism supporting the economy. Globally connected and mobile audiences have even precipitated the development of a new subcategory of tourism, known as exhibition tourism, wherein enthusiasts and collectors passionately follow events, often traveling far and wide for purchasing, exploration, or documentation.
Car exhibitions in Qatar and the wider region – driven by Qatari’s passion for automobiles - are growing in scale and ambition, with several major exhibitions held in the country. The key strength of these exhibitions is their ability to combine modern day innovations with the spirit of heritage, making them relevant to all generations of car lovers. I am pleased to support such initiatives, stemming from my belief that history should always be at the core of every conversation.
The automotive industry is evolving at an unprecedented pace. We are currently living in the era of electric vehicles, and the day will come when the technology of today’s vehicles also becomes part of history. However, cars are not just about innovation, design or even technology, they are also a means of connecting people, building communities, and shaping cultures. Amid the rapid pace of innovation and the intensifying competition among global markets – from China and Japan to Europe and the United States – this industry is undergoing radical transformations that contribute to expanding the scope and diversity of car exhibitions, offering the public a more immersive and dynamic experience.
3. We all know about your great passion for cars. When did your love for the automotive world begin, and what inspired you to start collecting and preserving them?
My passion for collecting began slowly, from an early stage in my life, I had a particular interest in collecting and preserving cars, especially those belonging to my family, which carry memories and stories tied to different phases of our lives. And as time went on this passion grew and I started collecting friends’ cars, then relatives. Following this I became enthusiastic about taking on a broader dimension that extended across different parts of the world. Thus, it was no longer just a personal hobby, but a journey of exploration, preservation of history, and documentation of the aesthetic, artistic, and human value of automobiles. To me, cars are more than just means of transportation; they symbolize humanity’s triumph over distance, reflect technological progress, and serve as witnesses to societal change over time.
This early passion evolved into a lifelong pursuit, and I’m delighted that my collection has grown to include more than 800 classic cars, each representing a unique story. Many of these cars are now displayed in my private museum in Al Samriya (where we showcase over 500 vehicles), as well as in centers, hotels, institutions, and exhibitions across Qatar, allowing people of all ages to discover and appreciate the important role cars have played in shaping our world.
4. Your car collection holds global admiration. How often do you personally take the time to drive one of your classic cars?
In truth, I prefer not to drive the cars I collect, as I consider them historically valuable pieces that must be preserved with care. My vision for them goes beyond mere use; they are witnesses to different eras and industrial developments that deserve to be safeguarded for future generations.
That’s why we focus on regular maintenance rather than driving. Each car is started every two to three years to ensure the engine and vital components remain in good condition without subjecting them to wear. The most common challenges we face involve tire and brake deterioration, as these parts are particularly affected by prolonged storage. In case of any damage, we replace the part exclusively with its original counterpart to maintain the car’s historical and artistic integrity, preserving it exactly as it was in its time. My goal is for these cars to retain their authenticity and value, to be appreciated as living heritage—not as vehicles for everyday use.
Although many of the cars are kept for display, I believe in sharing them through events such as major car exhibitions and at the Car Museum in Al Samriya, which is part of my private museum, among other venues. There, visitors can explore over 50,000 rare and unique items spread across more than 30 exhibition halls.
5. Given the size of your collection, choosing a favorite must be difficult. Do you have a car that has special meaning for you?
Each car in my collection has a unique and special story, but the ones closest to my heart are the family cars that carry deep personal memories and formed the foundation of my passion for collecting. There are cars in which me and my father used to go on rides in, and cars that my family and I used to take hunting, others we used to drive to school, and the cars I used to drive in my youth; every car symbolizes a different time in my life. Furthermore, the cars viewed in the museum have not been placed there randomly, each one has played a vital role in the past as some were police or military cars that were used in historical and official missions, and every car has either a person or a memory attached to it.
At the Grand Car Exhibition 2025, I will showcase 10 cars representing different eras and functions, including classic cars, convertibles, trucks, and sports cars. Each of these vehicles reflects an important chapter in the history and evolution of the automotive industry.
6. What message would you like to share with young people and the next generation about preserving automotive heritage?
Preserving automotive heritage isn’t just about keeping old vehicles, it’s about keeping history alive and vibrant. Cars tell the story of human creativity, innovation, and progress through the ages.
I hope young people understand that maintaining these vehicles is a way of protecting a part of our cultural identity and preserving the memories and eras of our parents and grandparents. At the same time, I encourage them to look to the future with a spirit of innovation and responsibility, using lessons from the past to inspire tomorrow’s technologies.
When we connect generations through heritage and innovation, the story of cars will continue motivating us and future generations for many years to come.
I advise anyone who owns an old car to keep it and look after it, not just for emotional bonds and memory’s sake, but because this car’s value will increase in the future. A car that has previously been worth QAR 15,000 or QAR 20,000 could sell today for millions, the more you take care of it, the more it goes up in value and history is kept alive for future generations to learn from and enjoy.
