In early November 2025, Bahrain hosted its inaugural Concours d’Elegance – the Royal Bahrain Concours – under the patronage of His Royal Highness Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, the Crown Prince and Prime Minister . For two days (November 7–8, 2025), the tranquil Royal Golf Club in Riffa transformed into a festival of classic and supercars, firmly putting the Kingdom on the global automotive map. This first-of-its-kind event in the Gulf brought together 90 of the world’s most exceptional collector cars, supplemented by 300 gleaming automobiles from GCC-based car clubs – an unprecedented gathering in the region. In fact, even before the gates opened, the buzz was high.
Venue and Atmosphere: Lush Fairways Meet Luxury
Set against the stunning backdrop of Colin Montgomerie’s championship golf course, the venue itself was part of the magic . The Royal Golf Club’s emerald fairways – normally reserved for tee shots – became a plush open-air showroom for automotive art. Under Bahrain’s mild autumn sun, red-carpeted walkways and white pavilions popped up between sand traps and water features, creating a scene as elegant as it was surreal. Imagine strolling past a gleaming chrome grille and catching the reflection of palm trees and clubhouse terraces on its fender – the whole ambiance radiated exclusivity. From the moment guests arrived, there was an air of refined celebration. Uniformed attendants guided VIP arrivals, classical music floated through the breeze, and the Bahrain Tourism & Exhibitions Authority (BTEA) ensured every detail – from hospitality to signage – exuded world-class standards.
It was clear that Bahrain was not just hosting an event, but “positioning the Kingdom as a distinguished new destination on the global concours calendar” , as one official release proudly stated.
A lineup of classic sports cars (including 1950s Mercedes-Benz SL models) graces the Royal Golf Club fairway during the 2025 Bahrain Concours d’Elegance. The two-day event turned these tranquil greens into a gallery of “rolling artistry” , showcasing more than one hundred of the world’s most desirable cars – from stately pre-war antiques to modern hypercars – all gleaming under the Bahraini sun . Each vehicle, whether a vintage icon or a cutting-edge exotic, told a story of innovation, legacy, and passion for motoring perfection.
Automotive Treasures on Display
Notable classic and luxury cars spanned every era and style, making the show a living museum of automotive history. Enthusiasts could admire everything from a 1913 Clement-Bayard brass-era antique to a futuristic Aston Martin Valkyrie hypercar – a jaw-dropping range that even surprised local veterans of the car scene . Legendary European marques were out in force: one row gleamed with scarlet Ferraris and racing-green Aston Martins, while another showcased the stately grilles of Bentley, Rolls-Royce, and Mercedes-Benz classics . Each car was meticulously prepared, many restored to concours condition, effectively “uniting car collectors, enthusiasts, and international brands in a unique cultural celebration” .
Among the standout attractions was a 1937 Rolls-Royce Phantom III, its long hood and Art Deco lines exemplifying pre-war elegance . Not far away, crowds gathered around the 1955 Lincoln Indianapolis – an eye-popping one-off concept car styled by Carrozzeria Boano, painted in vibrant orange. Shipped in from Switzerland by collector Fritz Burkard for its Middle East debut, this space-age Lincoln looked like a jet-age rocket amidst the vintage grand tourers . On the sportier side, a beautifully patinaed 1959 Ferrari 250 Testa Rossa (one of the famed 1950s race cars) sat low and purposeful, its V12 heritage palpable . Parked just a few paces away, a modern 2025 Mercedes-AMG One showed how far technology has come – essentially a street-legal F1 car with its dorsal fin and aerodynamic curves, brought by Saudi Prince Abdulaziz bin Turki Al Faisal to wow the crowds . The juxtaposition of such extremes – a delicate 1910s runabout next to a 1000+hp hybrid hypercar – truly embodied the event’s spirit: celebrating automotive excellence across the ages.
Winners and Awards: Heritage Honored and New Legends Crowned
While the Concours was a showcase, it was also a competition of elegance. A panel of world-renowned judges (and in some categories, the owners themselves) had the enviable yet difficult task of picking the best of the best from this assembled treasure trove . The awards ceremony on “Awards Day” (Saturday, Nov 8) was the climax, with engine revs and applause punctuating the announcements .
The most coveted honor, “Best of Show,” was ultimately captured by a breathtaking 1972 Lamborghini Miura SV – none other than the famed “Shah of Iran” Miura, chassis no. 4870 . This outrageously seductive Italian supercar from the 70s (one of only 147 SVs ever built) was originally ordered by the late Shah of Iran himself, and its royal pedigree and recent restoration clearly struck a chord. Now owned by Bahraini enthusiast Dr. Khalid M. Abdulrahim, the Miura gleamed in lime green glory and “captured the hearts of fellow collectors,” earning the unanimous vote for Best of Show . In a touching detail, Lamborghini legend Valentino Balboni – the very test driver who helped perfect the Miura back in the day – had a hand in supervising its restoration and was present to see it triumph . It’s hard to imagine a more fitting fairy-tale for the inaugural event than Balboni watching the Shah’s Miura win top honors.
Another particularly special accolade was the Crown Prince Award, personally bestowed by Prince Salman. This went to a modern rarity: a 2008 Ferrari Zagato 575 GTZ “Nibbio” . With coachbuilt bodywork by Zagato, the Nibbio is a one-of-one Ferrari that blends Italian design flair with Ferrari’s racing DNA – a car as unique as the event itself. Its owner, Prince Faisal bin Abdullah Al Faisal of Saudi Arabia, accepted the award, symbolizing the camaraderie among Gulf states in celebrating automotive passion. As Prince Salman handed over the trophy, one couldn’t miss the grin on both princes’ faces; even in royal circles, boys will be boys when it comes to fast cars!
Beyond these top awards, the judges crowned champions across a dozen concours classes, ensuring every niche of motoring heritage got its due recognition. For instance, in the Pre-1940 Classics category, the winner was the aforementioned ’37 Rolls-Royce Phantom III, which epitomized 1930s luxury and grace . In American Classics, that wild ’55 Lincoln Indianapolis concept car lived up to its hype and clinched the top spot for its class – an American automotive fantasia appreciated on Middle Eastern soil. The British Classics category smiled upon an elegant 1988 Aston Martin V8 Vantage Volante “Prince of Wales” edition, brought by Swiss collector Dr. Jörg Wolle . For European Classics, a burly 1988 Lamborghini LM002 “Rambo Lambo” – the outrageous 12-cylinder SUV from the ’80s – took the prize, representing Italy’s eccentric off-road entrant (owned by Saudi collector Adel Rajab) .
Modern categories were just as fiercely contested. In Modern Classics, it was fitting that the Crown Prince’s very own 2006 Pagani Zonda F claimed the award . With its screaming V12 and bespoke Italian craftsmanship, the Zonda F demonstrated that Prince Salman doesn’t just support the event – he participates in it as a genuine enthusiast (and a winning one at that!). The Supercars class saw a 2006 Porsche Carrera GT (a manual V10 legend, owned by Saudi collector Abdullah Alibrahim) take top honors , while the cutting-edge Hypercars category was won by the 2025 Mercedes-AMG One, as expected of a 1,063hp technological marvel . It’s worth noting that the AMG One’s owner, Prince Abdulaziz bin Turki Al Faisal, is not only royalty but a racing driver – his victory in the Hypercar class felt like the future meeting the past at the concours.
Several special awards added unique flavor as well. The “Flat Tops” class (celebrating convertibles and speedsters) crowned a 2009 Mercedes-Benz SLR Stirling Moss – an ultra-rare speedster edition commemorating the racing great . An Air-Cooled (AirX) Award went to a classic 1963 Shelby Cobra 289 brought over from the USA , delighting fans of raw, old-school performance. A Restomod/Modified prize celebrated creative car customization, awarded to a beautifully reimagined 1951 Ford F-1 pickup with modern performance under vintage looks . To encourage young collectors, the event included a “Thirty Under 30” category – and indeed a passionate young enthusiast won with a well-kept Porsche 911 SC , proving that the love for classic cars spans generations. Last but not least, perhaps the biggest head-turner in the quirkiest category: a monstrous Range Rover L322 Six-Wheeler conversion rolled away with the 4×4 Trailblazer Award . That six-wheeled behemoth (imagine a Range Rover limo on an extra axle) became an instant social media star and showed the crowd that automotive passion can take some very unorthodox forms!
All told, the awards reflected an equal-opportunity celebration of automotive greatness, from antique elegance to modern insanity. As each winner drove across the stage to collect their trophy, accompanied by enthusiastic commentary over the PA, the sense of camaraderie among owners and judges was palpable. It wasn’t just a contest – it was a shared tribute to the automobile as art, engineering, and joy.
VIP Attendance and Celebrity Sightings
No event of this caliber would be complete without a star-studded guest list, and the Bahrain Concours did not disappoint. Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa himself was a constant presence – not merely as a patron in a ceremonial capacity, but as an avid car lover roaming the grounds in understated enthusiasm. On opening day, His Royal Highness toured the exhibition with a gleam in his eye, chatting with owners about their cars’ histories . His personal engagement set a friendly, down-to-earth tone that impressed everyone. Many noted how the Prince’s genuine passion helped “encourage other collectors – many of them sheikhs – to exhibit their machinery at the event” , overcoming a tradition in the Gulf where prized cars often stay behind closed garage doors. Thanks to this royal nudge, a who’s-who of regional car aficionados brought out their finest for all to enjoy.
The attendees included members of royal families and distinguished personalities from across the GCC and beyond. From neighboring Saudi Arabia came Prince Abdulaziz bin Turki Al Faisal and Prince Faisal bin Abdullah (both bringing award-winning cars), joined by prominent Kuwaiti, Emirati, and Qatari collectors – truly a pan-Gulf VIP turnout. Bahrain’s own elite were present in force as well, such as Dr. Khalid Abdulrahim (the Best of Show winner) and other notable businessmen and officials who have a soft spot for carburetors and coachwork. It wasn’t just Middle Eastern dignitaries, either. Renowned international collectors flew in: for example, Swiss entrepreneur Fritz Burkard accompanied his Lincoln Indianapolis , while American enthusiasts Malcolm and Christina Welford came with their Shelby Cobra . Indian industrialist Gautam Hari Singhania (known for his love of fast cars) proudly displayed his immaculate 1929 Cord L-29 at the show . Strolling through the paddocks, you could hear a mix of languages – Arabic, English, Italian, even German and French – underscoring that this was a truly international gathering of the motoring elite.
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And then there were the celebrities of the automotive world. It’s not often that visitors at a Gulf car event find themselves shoulder-to-shoulder with legends, but Bahrain’s Concours delivered here too. One could spot Valentino Balboni, the famed former Lamborghini test driver, casually chatting by the Miura SV that he had helped restore – a surreal treat for any Lamborghini fan. Not far away, an excited cluster of guests were listening to anecdotes from a man in a white racing suit: it was Ben Collins, better known as “The Stig” from BBC’s Top Gear, who came to Bahrain to soak in the atmosphere. Collins even took the stage for a light-hearted interview, where MC Richard Charlesworth prompted him to share stories about taming supercars and perhaps a few tame racing-driver jokes . The crowd loved it – having The Stig among them made the event feel that much more connected to car culture globally. Throughout the weekend, you also had famous car designers, restoration experts, and concours judges mingling about. The likes of Simon Kidston (a noted classic car expert) could be seen examining a vintage engine bay with the same reverence an art critic would give a painting.
All these VIPs and celebrity guests lent the event a glamor comparable to Pebble Beach or Villa d’Este, but with a distinctly Bahraini warmth. There was no roped-off snobbery; one of the charms noted by attendees was how accessible and friendly the vibe remained. A local father and son might find themselves chatting with a European collector about the car on display, or a young engineering student got to shake hands with a famous car designer. The Concours succeeded in creating not just an exhibition, but a social scene – a place where princes and petrolheads could bond over their common love of automobiles.
Beyond the Cars: Style, Design and Luxury Lifestyle
While the cars were unquestionably the stars, the Royal Bahrain Concours wove a rich tapestry of design, fashion, and luxury experiences around the automotive core. The event positioned itself as “an indulgent celebration of luxury” , and indeed attendees found themselves treated to much more than shiny cars. On “Royal Day” (Friday, Nov 7), alongside the concours displays, guests could peruse luxury brand pop-ups and exclusive boutiques set up on the club grounds . High-end watchmakers, bespoke tailors, and jewelry houses (supported by local luxury retailers) showcased their wares in elegantly appointed tents – effectively turning the golf course into a concours and couture experience. It was not uncommon to see a visitor admiring a vintage Ferrari one moment, then slipping into a tent to try on a limited-edition timepiece or to sample an artisanal fragrance the next. This blending of motoring and haute lifestyle set the Bahrain Concours apart as a holistic luxury event in line with Bahrain’s vision to be a regional hub of culture and style .
Cutting-edge hypercars and modern exotics were also on display at the Concours, representing the event’s embrace of contemporary automotive innovation (seen here in front of the Bahrain Tourism & Exhibitions Authority pavilion). Across the venue, attendees could indulge in curated lifestyle experiences – gourmet tastings, fashion showcases, and even live classical performances – that elevated the atmosphere beyond the automotive realm . Gastronomy was a major component: food stalls and lounges offered everything from Bahraini traditional bites to international haute cuisine. Many guests relished the chance to sip on a crafted mocktail or an iced latte from a boutique café while strolling between the car exhibits. In the afternoons, the gentle notes of a string quartet drifted from the VIP pavilion, and at one point a live jazz ensemble had a few spectators swaying in their summer linens – a scene more reminiscent of a garden party at a stately home than a “car show.” The fashion element was also front and center. A Concours Style Guide had been circulated beforehand, encouraging attendees to dress in their elegant best, and the crowd obliged: linen suits, Panama hats, flowing dresses, and vintage-inspired accessories were the unofficial dress code . There was even an impromptu best-dressed recognition each day, with one chic couple winning applause for their 1920s Gatsby-esque ensembles. It’s fair to say the people-watching was almost as exquisite as the car-watching!
One of the most talked-about design showcases came courtesy of Halcyon, a British luxury EV conversion company. In a special session, founder Matthew Pearson presented Halcyon’s ambitious project to reimagine 60 classic Rolls-Royce Corniche models as fully electric masterpieces . During a short on-stage interview (hosted by Bahrain This Month magazine’s Bill Grieve), Pearson revealed jaw-dropping details: these bespoke electric Rolls-Royces will retain their 1970s style and opulence but swap out their V8s for state-of-the-art electric drivetrains, offering silent, zero-emission cruising in ultimate style . As he put it, “It’s about preserving heritage while embracing the future,” emphasizing a mission to blend timeless design with sustainability . The audience was captivated – envisioning a classic Corniche gliding along with nothing but a whisper. This fusion of old and new could not have been more fitting at a concours that itself combined heritage with modern innovation. The Halcyon showcase underscored that the Bahrain Concours wasn’t just celebrating the past; it was also pointing toward the future of the automotive world, where luxury and technology go hand in hand.
Overall, the luxury lifestyle layer of the event made it a magnet not only for car buffs but also for lovers of fine living. Whether it was shopping for a bespoke leather driving glove, marveling at automotive-themed art (yes, there was an art gallery corner featuring paintings and sculptures of classic cars), or simply lounging in the VIP terrace enjoying a view of the entire exhibition, attendees had plenty to engage the senses. By melding cars with cuisine, fashion, art, and music, the Bahrain Concours created a vivid, 360-degree experience that left everyone thoroughly indulged.
Media Coverage and Global Buzz
The inaugural Bahrain Concours didn’t just impress those on the ground – it made waves far and wide in the automotive community. Regional and international media outlets provided extensive coverage, heralding the event as a new highlight on the classic car calendar. Arab region media was especially proud: major newspapers and TV in Bahrain ran features each day, and GearsMe’s live updates and video vlogs from the show floor brought the event to millions of online followers . Social media lit up with snapshots of favorite cars and celebrity cameos, tagged with #RoyalBahrainConcours and #GCCClassicCars. Enthusiasts around the world were soon commenting: “Bahrain’s concours looks like Pebble Beach with palm trees!” – an apt description seeing photos of rare Bugattis parked by the lake on the 18th hole.
International automotive publications also took note. Renowned classic car journals sent correspondents to Bahrain and penned glowing reviews. Magneto Magazine, for instance, ran a feature lauding how “the inaugural 2025 Royal Bahrain Concours… attracted collector cars from the Gulf and around the world” and “went down well with local and international guests” . They highlighted the event’s unique formula (the partnership of experienced organizers and royal backing) and predicted it would only grow from here. Classic Driver magazine showcased their top picks from the show, proving that even the European press was watching closely. One headline read: “How Bahrain became the new destination for classic car concours”, underlining that the Kingdom’s effort had immediately earned credibility on the world stage . This kind of positive press is invaluable; it positions Bahrain as “the most natural place for the motoring world to converge in November” – high praise indeed from seasoned observers.
Meanwhile, Bahrain’s own leadership used the success as a spotlight on the nation’s capabilities. In official statements, Prince Salman and organizers underscored that pulling off a world-class concours is part of Bahrain’s broader strategy to host top-tier events (complementing things like the F1 Grand Prix). The Crown Prince noted that the success of this inaugural edition “reflects Bahrain’s competitiveness and its warm welcome, where tradition meets modernity”, reinforcing that the Kingdom can blend culture, hospitality, and high-end lifestyle in one package . It’s clear that the event had support at the highest levels, and its smooth execution was a point of national pride in local news.
Closing Thoughts: A Triumphant Debut and a Bright Future
As the sun set on November 8, 2025, and the last classic engine purred its way onto a transporter, one thing was abundantly clear: the Royal Bahrain Concours had been a resounding triumph. For two days, this small island nation punched well above its weight, hosting a concours to rival the world’s finest in terms of cars, class, and character. The event not only delighted those who attended, but it also ignited a new spark in the Gulf’s car culture. Many collectors who participated admitted they had never shown their cars publicly before – but after experiencing the joy and camaraderie in Bahrain, they’re already keen to return next year, and even to ship their beauties to other international concours . “Already, it looks as though next year’s event will be even bigger and better,” observed one magazine, reflecting the palpable excitement for the future . Indeed, organizers have confirmed that the Royal Bahrain Concours will be an annual fixture every November, with plans to expand the number of cars and perhaps add new attractions (rumor has it there might be a vintage rally or a black-tie gala added to the program).
Beyond the numbers and accolades, perhaps the most remarkable achievement of the 2025 Concours was how it brought people together. It was not just a sterile exhibition of expensive cars, but a living, breathing celebration that mixed old and young, East and West, style and substance. As one attendee put it while stepping into a classic Aston Martin for a last photo: “I’ve been to many car shows, but this felt like walking through a storybook.” That sentiment captures the passion and personal touch that “Fahed” – and indeed any true car lover – would appreciate. There was a light humor in seeing dignitaries gossip about carburetors, a vivid thrill in hearing engines echo over a golf course lake, and a heartfelt pride in watching Bahrain shine on the world stage. The 2025 Bahrain Concours d’Elegance proved that the Gulf’s love for cars runs deep and rich, and Arabic its smashing debut, we can expect this event to rev even higher in the years to come – where the Gulf and the world’s most exclusive cars meet , in effortless elegance and unforgettable style.
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