A historic Porsche 924 that escorted Queen Elizabeth II during her first state visit to the United Arab Emirates in 1979 has been restored by Porsche Centre Abu Dhabi and Al Ain. Recognized as the country’s first performance police car, the restored 924 will make its public debut at the Icons of Porsche festival in Dubai on November 21–22, 2026.
The restoration was completed by Porsche Centre Abu Dhabi and Al Ain, part of Ali & Sons Holding, before the car was formally returned to Abu Dhabi Police at a ceremony at Al Maqta Museum. The project preserves an early example of the UAE’s use of high-performance police vehicles, a tradition that subsequently included Porsche 911 and Taycan models.
Porsche 924’s Role in Queen Elizabeth II’s 1979 UAE Visit
The Porsche 924 joined the Abu Dhabi Police fleet to provide an escort during Queen Elizabeth II’s first visit to the UAE in 1979. The visit took place just seven years after the country’s formation in 1971 and included Prince Philip, the Duke of Edinburgh, and an official delegation traveling through the Gulf aboard the royal yacht Britannia.
During the UAE portion of the visit, the royal party was accompanied by Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, the country’s founding president. The Porsche 924’s involvement made it part of a significant diplomatic occasion during the nation’s early years.
Restoring the Historic Porsche 924 Police Car
The vehicle underwent a comprehensive restoration at Porsche Centre Abu Dhabi and Al Ain’s service facility, where work began earlier in 2026. The objective was to return the car as closely as possible to its original police configuration while preserving its historical identity. One notable detail was the recreation of the original painted police markings rather than applying modern vinyl decals. This approach maintained the period appearance of the 924, an important consideration for a vehicle destined for historical display.
“The Porsche 924 represents an important chapter in the history of Abu Dhabi Police and the development of our vehicle fleet,” said Lieutenant Colonel Ali Al Hammadi, Head of Police Legacy Department at Abu Dhabi Police.
Icons of Porsche 2026: Public Debut and Museum Display
The restored Porsche 924 will make its first public appearance at the Icons of Porsche festival, scheduled for November 21–22, 2026, at The Square Nad Al Sheba in Dubai. Following the event, the car is scheduled to return to Abu Dhabi for permanent display at Al Maqtaa Museum. The festival appearance will provide Porsche enthusiasts and collectors with an opportunity to see a vehicle associated with both the marque’s history and the early development of the UAE.
Wrap up
Long before modern Porsche 911 and Taycan police vehicles became part of the region’s automotive landscape, the 924 established an early connection between Porsche and UAE law enforcement. Its restoration preserves a historically significant example of the front-engined Porsche era while documenting the car’s role in the 1979 royal visit.
| Category | Details |
| Vehicle | Porsche 924 |
| Historical role | Escorted Queen Elizabeth II during her 1979 UAE visit |
| Significance | Identified as the UAE’s first performance police car |
| Restoration | Porsche Centre Abu Dhabi and Al Ain |
| Original police operator | Abu Dhabi Police |
| Restoration detail | Original painted police markings recreated |
| Public debut | November 21–22, 2026 |
| Event | Icons of Porsche |
| Location | The Square Nad Al Sheba, Dubai |
| Permanent home | Al Maqtaa Museum, Abu Dhabi |
| Engine specifications | Not provided |
| Restoration cost | Not disclosed |
Above contents © 2026 Dr. Ing. h.c. F. Porsche AG reviewed and edited by Rex McAfee , @rexmcafee 🏁
