Porsche restores historic 924 police car from 1979 UAE visit

A Porsche with royal history

The Porsche 924 was acquired to escort Queen Elizabeth II during her first official visit to the UAE in February 1979, just over seven years after the country's formation.

The Queen travelled to the Gulf aboard the Royal Yacht Britannia, accompanied by the Duke of Edinburgh and her entourage. During their visit to the UAE, the royal party was personally guided by the country's founding President, Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan.

Lieutenant Colonel Ali Al Hammadi, Head of the Police Legacy Department at Abu Dhabi Police, described the vehicle as an important part of the force's history. Its restoration preserves a connection to the early development of the police fleet.

Today, the UAE is known for its high-performance police cars, including the Porsche 911 and the all-electric Taycan. However, the 924 holds a distinct place in that history as the first sports car to serve in the Federal Police fleet.

Restoring the historic Porsche 924

Earlier in 2026, the historic Porsche 924 was transferred to the service facility at Porsche Centre Abu Dhabi and Al Ain for a comprehensive restoration. The objective was to return the vehicle as closely as possible to its original condition while preserving its historical character.

One of the notable details of the project was the recreation of the original police signage using paint rather than modern decals. This approach helped retain the car's authentic appearance and historical identity.

Saeed Ali Al Dhaheri, Managing Director of Ali & Sons Investments, said the project connects Porsche with the UAE's early history and an important national milestone. He also highlighted the restoration team's attention to detail in preserving the vehicle's original character for future generations.

Dr Manfred Bräunl, CEO of Porsche Middle East and Africa, described the restoration as a reminder of Porsche's early contribution to the UAE's tradition of high-performance police vehicles. He also praised the Abu Dhabi team's dedication to bringing the historic car back to its former condition.

Celebrating 50 years of Porsche transaxle models

The restored 924 will also take part in Porsche's celebrations marking 50 years of its transaxle sports cars at the Icons of Porsche festival.

Introduced in 1976, the Porsche 924 was the brand's first transaxle sports car. Its layout placed the engine at the front and the gearbox and differential at the rear, helping achieve more balanced weight distribution.

Produced in Neckarsulm, Germany, until 1988, the 924 was followed by other transaxle models, including the Porsche 928, 944 and 968.

The anniversary celebration will be among the highlights of the Icons of Porsche festival, scheduled to take place in Dubai on 21–22 November 2026.

Tickets are priced at AED 85, while children under 12 can register for free entry when accompanied by a ticketed adult.

After the festival, the restored Porsche 924 will return to Al Maqta Museum in Abu Dhabi, where it will remain on display as part of the UAE's automotive and policing heritage.