A Rainbow On Earth: Visit Emirates National Auto Museum

by Dara Morgan

A Rainbow On Earth: Visit Emirates National Auto Museum

24 Oct 2024

Are you an automobile lover? Well, not as much as His Highness Sheikh Hamad Bin Hamdan Al Nahyan, I assure you. The Sheikh has turned what most of us would call a hobby into a full-blown obsession. And by obsession, I mean over 200 cars, many of them custom-made just for him. Luckily for the rest of us, Sheikh Hamad — better known as the Rainbow Sheikh (yes, we will get to that) — has graciously opened the doors to his spectacular collection. So, ready to discover the most flamboyant automotive display on the planet? Let us take you on this colourful journey.

Location

Located about 45 kilometres south of Abu Dhabi, right off Hamim Road (E11) in Al Dhafra, you will find this automotive wonderland — housed in a huge pyramid-shaped building. You really cannot miss it. It is open every day from 9 am to 5 pm, with tickets costing AED 50 (and free entry for kids under 10). Whether you are a car enthusiast or just curious about giant trucks in the desert, it is worth the trip.

How did the collection start?

Sheikh Hamad’s passion for cars kicked into high gear when, in early 90s he decided that just one car for his wedding was not enough. Instead, he ordered seven custom-built Mercedes-Benz S-Class sedans — one for each colour of the rainbow, with matching interiors and wheels to boot. That dazzling display of excess earned him the well-deserved nickname, “The Rainbow Sheikh.” From there, the collection exploded into what we see today — a garage that could double as a small nation’s GDP.

How many cars are in the collection?

The museum boasts about 200 cars, but Sheikh Hamad is always expanding his fleet. Fun fact: despite owning countless vehicles, he does not own a single supercar. That is right — no Bugattis or Ferraris here. The only sporty car you will find is a humble first-gen Porsche Boxster. Everything else? Think quirky off-roaders, supersized replicas, and lots of Mercedes-Benz cars.

Image: enam.ae

What is in the collection?

Where to start? If you thought a rainbow of Mercedes-Benz was as outlandish as it gets, think again. This collection includes some of the most extravagant and eccentric cars ever conceived. Imagine a fleet that ranges from classic American muscle cars to the world's largest truck — a Dodge Power Wagon scaled up to 64 times its original size, complete with bedrooms, a living room, and, naturally, a bathroom.

Feeling small? Wait until you see the Hummer H1 that towers at 21 feet tall, a vehicle so supersized it makes the average SUV look like a toy. And the fun starts even before you step inside the museum, with a retired passenger jet and the world’s largest model jeep parked outside — because of course, why not?

Inside, you will discover off-road vehicles, pristine American classics, some military automobiles, and, of course, the Sheikh’s iconic rainbow Mercedes collection (in fact, one-third of his collection is Mercedes-Benz).

Is this the whole collection?

You will be surprised, but no! The Abu Dhabi collection is just a part of Sheikh Hamad's massive automotive empire. He actually owns we-won't-even-guess-how-many cars, with additional displays spread across four different museums (one of them is the Off Road History Museum in Sharjah). Oh, and don't forget: Sheikh Hamad holds the Guinness World Record for the largest collection of 4x4 vehicles, with a staggering 718 trucks. So, while the Emirates National Auto Museum offers a dazzling slice of his collection, it is far from the full story!

Image: enam.ae

Missing out on the coolest events in Dubai? We know where you’ll be in November: The Crowd Test Festival — the very first Art and Music Festival by The Sandy Times.

The lineup is incredible: Mainline Magic Orchestra from Spain, Eden Burns from New Zealand, and a lot of your favourite DJs like Hani J, Hassan Alwan, Bazzzuk, and more.

Mark your calendar, snag your tickets, and get ready: November 16, 2024, from 5 PM to 3 AM at Monkey Bar, Dubai.

by Dara Morgan