A unique piece of United Arab Emirates automotive history has been brought back to life as Porsche Centre Abu Dhabi and Al Ain completes the restoration of the historic Porsche 924 police car. Originally acquired by Abu Dhabi Police in 1979 to escort Queen Elizabeth II during her first visit to the newly formed UAE, the iconic sports car will make its public debut at the Icons of Porsche festival in Dubai on November 21–22, 2026.
Long before the United Arab Emirates became internationally recognised for its spectacular fleet of high-performance police vehicles, including the Porsche 911 and all-electric Taycan, one particular sports car established the tradition. That car was the Porsche 924, the first sports car to join the UAE Federal Police fleet, and a vehicle whose story is closely connected to one of the most significant moments in the country’s early history.
Now, more than four decades after it first served Abu Dhabi Police, the historic Porsche 924 has been meticulously restored and returned to its former identity, preserving an important chapter of both Porsche and UAE automotive heritage.
The restoration was completed by Porsche Centre Abu Dhabi and Al Ain, part of Ali & Sons Holding, in collaboration with Abu Dhabi Police. The project was officially presented at a ceremony at Al Maqta Museum in Abu Dhabi, a historically significant location that once served as one of the emirate’s earliest police facilities.
Porsche 924: The Sports Car That Escorted Queen Elizabeth II in 1979
The story of this particular Porsche 924 dates back to 1979, just seven years after the formation of the United Arab Emirates as an independent country comprising seven emirates.
That year, Abu Dhabi Police acquired the German sports car specifically for an important diplomatic occasion: escorting Queen Elizabeth II during her first official visit to the newly established nation.
The British monarch travelled to the Gulf region 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 Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, the founding president of the United Arab Emirates.
The Porsche 924 therefore became more than an unusual addition to a police fleet. It was part of a highly visible moment in the country’s early diplomatic history, representing the growing international profile of the young federation.
According to Lieutenant Colonel Ali Al Hammadi, Head of the Police Legacy Department at Abu Dhabi Police, the restoration provides an opportunity to maintain a tangible connection with this important period and share the vehicle’s story with future generations.
He also highlighted the significance of cooperation with Porsche Centre Abu Dhabi and Al Ain and Ali & Sons Holding in bringing the historic vehicle back to its original identity.
Meticulous Porsche 924 Restoration Preserves Its Original Police Identity
Recognising the historical importance of the vehicle, Porsche Centre Abu Dhabi and Al Ain undertook a comprehensive restoration earlier in 2026, moving the car to its Abu Dhabi service facility for the project.
The objective was to return the Porsche 924 as closely as possible to its original condition while preserving the details that made it such an important part of UAE history.
One particularly interesting aspect of the restoration was the recreation of the original police markings. Rather than relying on modern decals, the restoration team carefully reproduced the painted signage, ensuring that the vehicle retained its authentic appearance and historical character.
This attention to detail was central to the project, which focused not simply on refurbishing an old sports car but on preserving an important historical artefact.
Saeed Ali Al Dhaheri, Managing Director of Ali & Sons Investments, explained that Porsche has been part of Abu Dhabi’s automotive story for generations and that the restoration offered an opportunity to protect an important chapter of that relationship.
He emphasised the team’s commitment to maintaining the vehicle’s original character and historical significance for future generations.
From Porsche 924 to Today’s Supercar Police Fleets
Today, the UAE and the wider Gulf region are internationally recognised for their extraordinary police fleets, which regularly feature some of the world’s most desirable performance vehicles.
Dubai, in particular, has become famous for its collection of exotic and high-performance patrol cars, while Porsche models have also become an important part of the region’s automotive identity.
The Porsche 911 and the all-electric Taycan represent more recent chapters in this relationship. However, the restored 924 reminds enthusiasts that the story began much earlier.
As Dr. Manfred Bräunl, CEO of Porsche Middle East and Africa, pointed out, the 924 was the first Porsche sports car to serve in the UAE police fleet, establishing a connection that has continued through subsequent generations of performance vehicles.
Its restoration is therefore particularly meaningful, providing a historical link between the early years of the Emirates and the modern image of its high-performance police forces.
Porsche Celebrates 50 Years of Transaxle Sports Cars
The restored police car will also feature prominently during an important anniversary year for Porsche. In 2026, the German manufacturer is celebrating 50 years of its transaxle sports cars, a technical concept that played a significant role in the company’s product history.
Introduced in 1976, the Porsche 924 was the first model in this family. Unlike the traditional rear-engined 911, the 924 featured a front-mounted engine and a rear-mounted gearbox and differential.
This configuration, known as a transaxle layout, helped achieve a more balanced weight distribution between the front and rear axles, contributing to the car’s handling characteristics.
The 924 was subsequently followed by other important Porsche transaxle models, including the 928, 944 and 968.
Although the 924 initially occupied a different position in the Porsche range from the iconic 911, it became an important part of the company’s sporting heritage and helped establish a technical direction that continued for decades.
Restored Porsche 924 to Make Public Debut at Icons of Porsche 2026
Following its official return to Abu Dhabi Police, the restored Porsche 924 will make its first public appearance at the Icons of Porsche festival in Dubai on November 21–22, 2026.
The event will provide Porsche enthusiasts and visitors with an opportunity to see a vehicle that represents both an important moment in UAE history and the beginning of the country’s relationship with Porsche performance police cars.
After the festival, the historic 924 will find its permanent home at Al Maqta Museum in Abu Dhabi, where it will be preserved and displayed for future generations.
More than simply restoring a classic sports car, Porsche Centre Abu Dhabi and Al Ain has brought back an important piece of national automotive heritage. The 1979 Porsche 924 may not have the power or technological sophistication of today’s supercars, but its historical significance is arguably far greater than its modest performance figures suggest.
It was the first Porsche sports car to join the UAE police fleet, it escorted Queen Elizabeth II during a landmark royal visit, and it helped establish a tradition that continues to capture the imagination of automotive enthusiasts around the world.
Now, thanks to an extensive restoration, this remarkable chapter of Porsche and UAE history is ready for its next generation of admirers.
Source: Porsche
