The United Arab Emirates has restored a historic Porsche 924 that became the first performance sports car to join the country’s Federal Police fleet in 1979. The classic vehicle has an important place in UAE history, having been used to escort Queen Elizabeth II during her first royal visit to the newly formed nation that year.
The restoration was completed by Porsche Centre Abu Dhabi and Al Ain. The project aimed to return the 1979 sports car as close as possible to its original appearance, preserving its historic details and connection to the country’s early police fleet.
Unlike a simple cosmetic update, the restoration involved careful work on the vehicle’s original police design. Specialists recreated the lettering using paint rather than applying modern decals. This approach helped maintain the authentic look of the car and respect its historical role.
The restored Porsche 924 is scheduled to make its first public appearance at the Icons of Porsche festival in Dubai on November 21 and 22. After the event, the car will move to the Al Maqta Museum in Abu Dhabi, where it will have a permanent home.
The vehicle offers a reminder of how the UAE’s police fleet has changed over the decades. Today, the country’s police cars include several high-performance models, including Porsche 911 sports cars and the fully electric Taycan. Some of the country’s police fleets have also become known for using exotic supercars.
However, the tradition of using performance vehicles began with the relatively modest 924. Although it does not have the power or appearance of modern supercars, the classic Porsche played an important role in the early history of the UAE’s police fleet.
The restoration also comes as Porsche marks 50 years of its transaxle sports cars. The 924 was introduced in 1976 and established an engineering layout that later appeared in several models from the German manufacturer.
The transaxle design placed the engine at the front of the vehicle while positioning the gearbox and differential at the rear. A rigid torque tube connected the two sections. This arrangement helped distribute weight more evenly between the front and rear axles, improving balance and handling.
The 924 also has an unusual development story. In the early 1970s, Volkswagen asked Porsche to develop a replacement for the VW-Porsche 914. The project, known internally as EA 425, was intended to become a practical 2+2 sports car with a front-mounted engine and rear transaxle.
However, Volkswagen faced financial difficulties and abandoned the project in 1974. Porsche then purchased the development programme and continued the work independently.
The decision gave Porsche an opportunity to introduce a more affordable sports car. The company needed a model that could attract a wider group of customers, particularly after the 1973 oil crisis increased interest in smaller and more economical vehicles.
The production Porsche 924 arrived in 1976 with several important changes to the company’s traditional engineering approach. It became Porsche’s first series-production model with a front-mounted, water-cooled engine. Its power came from a 2.0-litre four-cylinder unit sourced from Audi, producing 123 horsepower.
The engine and layout initially divided Porsche enthusiasts. Some traditional customers were unhappy with the Audi-sourced engine, the car’s proportions and its unusual transmission arrangement. A number of critics viewed the 924 as less authentic than Porsche’s established rear-engine sports cars.
However, its balanced handling and practical design gradually helped change opinions. The front-engine and rear-transmission arrangement provided stable road behaviour, particularly at higher speeds. The model also offered buyers a more accessible entry point into the Porsche range.
Porsche expanded the lineup in 1978 with the 924 Turbo, which initially produced 168 horsepower. More focused versions followed, including the Carrera GT and Carrera GTS. The model also helped establish the engineering foundation for the Porsche 944, introduced in 1981.
The 944 used a 2.5-litre four-cylinder engine derived from half of the V8 developed for the Porsche 928. Porsche later introduced that engine into the 924 range as well, creating the 924 S.
Production of the 924 continued until 1988. By the end of its production run, Porsche had built approximately 325,000 examples of the model and its related versions.
The restored UAE police car now represents an important part of that history. Its connection to Queen Elizabeth II’s 1979 visit gives it additional historical value beyond its place in Porsche’s model lineup.
Its appearance at the Dubai festival will offer visitors an opportunity to see a rare example of the UAE’s early performance police fleet. Its later display at the Al Maqta Museum will preserve the vehicle for future generations and highlight the country’s long-standing connection with Porsche.
