In 1979, Abu Dhabi Police acquired a Porsche 924 to escort Queen Elizabeth II on her first visit to the United Arab Emirates. Now that Abu Dhabi Porsche 924 has been restored and handed back to the force. Porsche Middle East then announced the work on November 9, 2026.
The car holds a small record of its own. In fact, Porsche calls it the first sports car to join the UAE’s police fleet. Porsche’s regional chief says the UAE is now known for sporty police cars, and this modest coupe came first.
Porsche Centre Abu Dhabi and Al Ain did the restoration. That dealer is part of Ali & Sons Holding. The car now heads to a festival in Dubai and then to a museum in Abu Dhabi.
Why Abu Dhabi Police needed a Porsche 924
In short, the reason was a royal visit. According to Porsche Middle East’s release, the force acquired the 924 “to escort Queen Elizabeth II on her majesty’s first visit to the newly formed nation in 1979.” The release also describes it as “the first sports car to join the UAE Federal Police fleet.”
The Queen arrived by sea. She, the Duke of Edinburgh and their party came on the royal yacht Britannia, Porsche says. Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, the UAE’s inaugural ruler, then guided them personally during the UAE leg of the tour.
However, the visit itself was short. It began in February 1979 and lasted three days, The National reported in its look back at the trip. Sheikh Zayed greeted the Queen at Mina Zayed in Abu Dhabi.
Three days, three cities
Even so, the program was packed. In Abu Dhabi, the Queen visited Corniche Hospital and the British School Al Khubairat, The National reported. She also held a private meeting at Mushrif Palace.
Next came Al Ain, with a stop at Al Ain University and a visit to the camel races. After that, the tour moved to Dubai. There, the Queen saw the new Jebel Ali port, the Trade Centre and a desalination plant, and she took a dhow trip on the Creek.
Later, the 1979 trip turned out to be the first of two. In fact, the Queen came back to the UAE in 2010, according to The National. Even so, it was the 1979 visit that put a Porsche into the police fleet.
How the Abu Dhabi Porsche 924 was restored
The 924 went to the dealer’s Abu Dhabi service center earlier in 2026. The goal was a full restoration, as close to the original condition as possible, according to Porsche.
One detail stands out, though. The restoration team “carefully recreated the original painted signage rather than using modern decals,” the release says. As a result, the markings are painted on, just as the originals were.
Porsche has not published a list of the parts replaced or the hours the work took.
What the police and Porsche said
Lieutenant Colonel Ali Al Hammadi heads the Police Legacy Department at Abu Dhabi Police. “The Porsche 924 represents an important chapter in the history of Abu Dhabi Police and the development of our vehicle fleet,” he said. He also added that restoring it keeps a link to that period for future generations.
Meanwhile, Saeed Ali Al Dhaheri is managing director of Ali & Sons Investments. “Our team has approached its restoration with great care and attention to detail,” he said.
Dr. Manfred Bräunl, CEO of Porsche Middle East and Africa, pointed to the car’s place in a bigger trend. “The UAE is now known around the world for its sporty police cars,” he said. In his view, this 924 was the first of them.
Porsche’s first transaxle car
The 924 matters to Porsche, too. The company launched it in 1976 and built it in Neckarsulm, Germany, until 1988, the release says. It was also Porsche’s first transaxle model, with the engine up front and the gearbox at the rear.
Later, that layout went on to shape the 928, 944 and 968. Porsche is marking 50 years of its transaxle cars in 2026, so the timing of this restoration fits neatly.
Where to see the car
First, the 924 was formally handed back to Abu Dhabi Police at Al Maqtaa Museum. Porsche describes the museum as “one of Abu Dhabi’s earliest police facilities.” Next, the car makes its first public appearance at the Icons of Porsche festival at The Square, Nad Al Sheba, Dubai, on November 21–22, 2026. After the festival, it goes on permanent display at Al Maqtaa Museum in Abu Dhabi.
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