The art of restoring classic cars in Dubai – in pictures

The staff of Classic Cars Dubai go the extra mile to keep these grande dames of the motorway running

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  John B Fletcher is the managing consultant of Classic Cars Dubai. A former teacher, he is meticulous in his research of parts and vehicles and takes the time to explain to his customers what their car needs. Here, he works on the restoration of a 1965 Shelby Cobra. Chris Whiteoak / The National

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  Classic Cars Dubai in Al Quoz has expert technicians on staff to repair and restore older vehicles. Chris Whiteoak / The National

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  More and more Dubai residents are purchasing classic vehicles as a status symbol or as an investment. Chris Whiteoak / The National

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  A classic car is considered to be anything 25 years old or older, but the shop specialises in vehicles from the 1950s to the 1980s, including this 1969 Jaguar E-Type Roadster. Chris Whiteoak / The National

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  Restoring and repairing vehicles can take weeks, even months, depending on the availability of parts and the time it takes for parts to arrive from overseas. Here, a technician repairs a 1965 Volkswagen Beetle Cabriolet. Chris Whiteoak / The National

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  Of Classic Cars Dubai, Fletcher says: "We have a mindset for quality and an eye for detail." Chris Whiteoak / The National

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  Classic Cars Dubai has expertise in a range of vehicles, especially those from the United States, the UK and Germany, such as this 1965 Volkswagen Beetle Cabriolet, and they have fielded inquires from all over the world including Russia and Thailand. Chris Whiteoak / The National

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  Vehicle trends and needs change, but it's easy to agree that classic cars never go out of style. "It's an investment you can enjoy," says Fletcher. Chris Whiteoak / The National

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  The National's Chris Whiteoak was interested in photographing the garage because he is intrigued by things that are rare and in demand. "You can't go a day [here] without seeing a Lamborghini or a Ferrari, but an older car like an E-Type of a Cobra are much rarer," Whiteoak says. Chris Whiteoak / The National

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  Fletcher says among the top requests owners have is the installation of air conditioning and USB ports. With continued maintenance and proper care, we may see these beauties on UAE roads for decades to come. Chris Whiteoak / The National

Classic cars hold their charm no matter how trends change, so owners are eager to find quality service to keep their wheels on the road. Enter Classic Cars Dubai, where John B Fletcher manages the garage that caters to the needs and whims of owners of discerning tastes. The National photographer Chris Whiteoak stopped by the shop in Al Quoz to capture several restorations in progress.

While it seems that more and more UAE residents are buying older vehicles as status symbols and smart investments, Fletcher says that classic cars can be an affordable hobby. But he cautions that TV shows often misrepresent the time it takes to repair and restore, and that it’s even more challenging when delivery of parts takes much longer from overseas. He and his technicians spend weeks, even months, fine-tuning the engines and bodies of muscle cars and sleek speedsters. Among the top requests? Installing air conditioners and USB ports, Fletcher says.

A former teacher, he is meticulous in his research and goes the extra mile to educate owners about their vehicle. “We all have a passion for what we do and we’re searching for as much perfection as we can give,” he says.

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