In collaboration with Mawater Center, the National Museum of Qatar (NMoQ) recently opened an exhibition which showcases 12 cars used by the public in Qatar between 1970s and 1980s. The exhibition will be on show until 29 February at the Baraha Square, just outside the Vintage Car Gallery.
The vehicles tell the story of everyday life through transportation, inviting visitors to travel down memory lane. Through such exhibitions, NMoQ aims to give voice to Qatar’s rich heritage and culture. The vintage cars, each carrying its own story, represent some of the world’s most well-known brands.
NMoQ Director Sheikha Amna bint Abdulaziz bin Jassim Al Thani said that much like the old National Museum of Qatar, the cars are part of the collective memory of the local community. She said that the exhibition exemplifies an important part of the country’s history and aims to give voice to Qatar’s rich heritage, allowing the local community to reconnect with its past.
It is also the first of several projects that they are planning in collaboration with Mawater.
Mawater Center Director Salim Saeed Al Mohannadi also stated how thrilled they are to partner with NMoQ to exhibit such an important aspect of Qatari heritage – showcasing some of the most iconic models that were driven by their own fathers and grandfathers.
This is the first exhibition of many, as our collaboration with Qatar Museums is a long-lasting one. We thank the museum’s team for their cooperation and really look forward to welcoming the public to this unique exhibition and many other events in the future.
The cars exhibited at NMOQ include:
- Mercedes Benz 280E (Police Car), 1972
- Suzuki, 125 Titan (Motorbike), 1975
- GMC 7000 (Water Truck), 1977
- Land Rover, Range Rover (Fire Truck), 1978
- Mercedes Benz 280E (Ambulance), 1979
- GMC Sierra 3500, 1979
- GMC B-series School Bus, 1980
- GMC, Suburban, 1980
- Toyota Cressida (Taxi), 1983
- Nissan, Pickup, 1985
- Toyota, Land Cruiser G, 1989
- Nissan, Skyline GT, 1989
Mawater Center, established by the Ministry of Culture and Sports in 2014, specialises in the collection and restoration of modern classic and modified cars.