The fabulous fleet line-up of motoring masterpieces up for auction includes:
1. Chevrolet Independence 1931
This sensational sedan is remembered as the car which helped the US company reclaim its lead ranking from Ford as North America’s top car manufacturer. The 1931 Chevrolet Independence was a larger, heavier car than its predecessors, with an extended wheelbase, a stronger frame and a roomier and more stylish body than ever before.
Designing Artist - Faiza Mubarak - United Arab Emirates
Faiza pioneers new ideas in her work. A participant in many workshops and a special contemporary art project in Dijon, France, Faiza has also delivered workshops to university students in the UAE. A member of the Emirates Fine Arts Society and Architectural Heritage Revival Society, Faiza has also had exhibitions of her work in Australia.
2. Chevrolet Impala 1959
Chevrolet's chief engineer in the late 1950s defined the Impala as a "prestige car within the reach of the average American citizen." This particular model became the best-selling automobile in the United States and held that position for the next decade. With its ‘teardrop’ taillight shape, which was unique to this year, the Impala won the hearts of many motor fans.
Designing Artist - Wasel Safwan - United Arab Emirates
Wasel grew up in Al Ain – Abu Dhabi’s ‘Oasis City’ - and graduated with a Bachelor in Architecture from Ajman University in Al Ain. His artwork is proof that the study of architecture influenced his emerging style making it clearer and sharper by introducing broken lines and geometries. He enjoy composing sharp contrasting volumes, shapes and colours on a large canvas & three dimensional objects.
Wasel has now participated in a number of solo and group exhibitions in the Czech Republic and the UAE. Wasel’s UAEism style of non-figurative, abstract art evolved from the cultural influences of his upbringing, surroundings and architectural studies.
3. Mercedes 250SL 1968
One of the rarest W 113 cars, the Mercedes 250SL was only in production for a year. Boasting an inline, six-cylinder engine with multi-port fuel injection, it operated a rear-wheel drive with independent rear suspension – a feature that greatly improved road handling. Most of the early SLs were sold with both the removable hard top and a soft top in the so-called ‘Coupe/Roadster’ configuration, with a ‘California Coupe’ version made available later that came with the removable hardtop but no soft top.
Designing Artist - Maisoon Al Saleh - United Arab Emirates
A founder of punkarabia, Maisoon’s controversial work has an unusual preoccupation with the human skeleton. A multi-talented artist Maisoon has worked as an interior design, in graphic design and as an art teacher and has even founded her own fashion brand.
4. Rolls Royce Silver Shadow 1976
The renowned Silver Shadow had the largest production volume of any Rolls Royce and the model was the manufacturer's response to claims that it was falling behind the times, and had lost contact with modern developments. Its design was a major departure from its predecessor, the Silver Cloud, as it was the first single bow Rolls-Royce. Aside from a more modern appearance, the Silver Shadow introduced many new features such as disc rather than drum brakes, monocoque construction, and independent rear suspension, which made it one of the most enjoyable rides of the 70s.
Designing Artist - Abdul Qader Al Rais - United Arab Emirates
One of the Arabian Gulf’s most respected artists, and the best known in his UAE homeland, Abdul Qader’s paintings have been exhibited in 21 countries from America in the West to China in the East from the Czech Republic in the North to Australian in the South.
Simultaneously he paints in two very different styles. For his landscape and architectural scenes, his style is photorealistic with a delicate beige palette set off by flashes of blue. He also paints abstract works, often involving the Arabic letterform. Both styles are united by his signature use of small floating squares, which appear even in the most realistic of his paintings.
In his photorealist work, Abdul Qader captures the heritage of his homeland by chronicling old neighbourhoods, houses, and forts.
5. BMW Z8 2000
This sporty roadster began its life as a concept variation on the 1997 Z07, which caused a sensation at the '97 Tokyo Auto Show. Such was the overwhelming popularity of the concept, BMW decided to produce a limited production model called the Z8, which had a run of only 5,703. The car made its world-wide debut in the James Bond movie, The World Is Not Enough, and has been a firm favourite of motoring buffs the globe over ever since.
6. Fabien Verschaere - France
Fabien is an emerging contemporary French artist whose work conveys a deeply personal mythology by way of drawing and watercolour. His paper works and wall drawings depict urban life where human figures, animals, and objects blend together into an imaginary world.
His graffiti walls have been direct and radical with Fabien dubbing graffiti as the automatic writing of art available to anyone. “Its influence was social and not graphic, always in the spirit of the nomadic,” said the 34-year-old Parisian. “The wall, for me, is not an obstacle, but an opening onto the world.”