Porsche 924 Restoration Returns Historic UAE Police Cruiser To Immaculate Condition

Abu Dhabi Police has taken delivery of its Porsche 924 Restoration project, and it is far more than a polished classic. The car returns to near-original condition after an extensive rebuild with Porsche Centre Abu Dhabi and Al Ain, part of the Ali & Sons Group. It now moves into the Heritage Department’s Classic Cars Collection.

Why This Porsche 924 Restoration Matters

Joining the fleet in the 1970s, the car became the first sports car ever to enter police service in the UAE. Few emergency fleets of that era trusted anything with a sporting pedigree. Its role in the official motorcade welcoming the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Philip gives it real diplomatic weight. That kind of provenance sits a world away from the bespoke Brabus Bodo builds dominating today’s Gulf luxury scene.

For context on the model’s engineering, the official Porsche website remains the best reference point. Still, the 924 was never a pure driver’s icon in its day. It was a front-engined, transaxle compromise that Porsche sold as an accessible entry point into the brand.

Rebuilding From Archive Photographs and Documents

The restoration targeted original factory specification while preserving the distinctive police identity. Archivists and technicians relied on historical photographs and documents to settle every detail. Work on this Porsche 924 Restoration reflects a deliberate choice to honor the car as a historical artifact, not a generic showpiece. Output remains modest, with roughly 125 horsepower from the 2.0-liter four, but the mechanical honesty is the point.

Heritage Value Versus Market Reality

On paper, a 924 will never challenge the 911 for collector affection. In reality, provenance changes the equation. Ex-government vehicles with documented service histories often attract buyers willing to pay a premium. Ultimately, I expect this car to be a talking point for enthusiasts long after it leaves the display hall.

Ultimately, this project proves a police force can treat its past as seriously as its present fleet. The 924 deserves the attention.

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Written By

Liam Campbell

Industry Intelligence & News Editor at Auto News Magazine. Tracking prototype spy shots, Nürburgring development mules, automaker corporate moves, and breaking global automotive scoops.

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