The first edition of the Royal Bahrain Concours took place on the island and OHLALA headed there to take a look at this sophisticated event which brought together love for cars, stunning design and beautiful people in their best frocks.
When it comes to luxury, OHLALA feels at home, and if it involves some motoring, we find a way to talk about it. Last month, the Kingdom of Bahrain held the first Royal Bahrain Concours event at the Royal Golf Club in Riffa. Under the patronage of His Royal Highness Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, the Crown Prince and Prime Minister of Bahrain, the automotive event brought together over 70 of the world’s rarest automobiles, joined by 300 club vehicles from across the GCC.
The impressive display included pre-war masterpieces, legendary race cars and cutting-edge hypercars. The two-day event distributed special awards in different categories: Best of Show, Crown Prince Award, Pre-1940, American Class, British Classics, European Classics, Sports & Race Classics, Modern Classics, Flat Tops, Supercars, Hypercars, Steering Committee Award, AirX Award, Restomod/ Modified, 30 Under 30 and 4×4 Award.
We highlight some of the winners. The Best of Show went to the 1972 Lamborghini Miura SV, ‘Shah of Iran’, owned by Dr Khalid M. Abdulrahim (Bahrain). Originally ordered new in 1971 through the Iranian Embassy in Rome for Mohammad Reza Pahlavi, the final Shah of Iran, in Bleu Ischia Metallizzato with white leather. After the 1979 Revolution, it disappeared for 12 years before reappearing in Italy, where it was restored in the 1990s and purchased by the current owner in 2009.
The 2025 Mercedes-AMG One, owned by HRH Abdulaziz Bin Turki Al Faisal Al Saud (Saudi Arabia), won the Hypercars award. The vehicle has Formula 1 technology adapted for the road, one of just 275 built worldwide. The Modern Classics was awarded to the 2006 Pagani Zonda F Clubsport, owned by HRH Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa (Bahrain). The car, handbuilt in Modena with only 25 coupés made, features a naturally aspirated 7.3-litre Mercedes-AMG V12 producing 650hp through a six-speed manual gearbox, achieving 1,230kg dry weight using carbon-titanium composites.
The Sports & Race Classics was given to the 1959 Ferrari 250 TR, owned by Michael and Barbara Malone (USA), it began as a 1956 Ferrari 290 MM, later upgraded to a 3-litre V12 Testa Rossa and re-bodied by Scaglietti. It raced for Scuderia Ferrari and Equipe Nationale Belge before racing in Brazil until 1962. Acquired by Michael Malone in 2003, it underwent a multi-year restoration by Neil Twyman, returning it to exact 250 Testa Rossa specification with a verified-matching engine and transaxle.
The Royal Bahrain Concours was organised by Thorough Events in collaboration with the Bahrain Tourism and Exhibitions Authority (BTEA). Besides stunning automobiles displayed on the pristine green grass and hills, guests enjoyed dining at stalls provided by well-known gourmet destinations across the country, offering everything from Japanese to Mexican dishes. Bahrain Jewellery Centre showcased some of its beautiful gems and live entertainment took place throughout the days. The posh event ended, leaving us with a taste of class that mesmerised even those who are not car enthusiasts. We look forward to the second edition next year.