• In its first edition, the Bahrain Royal Concours consolidates the Kingdom’s position as a distinguished destination in the automotive world in the region, and includes 90 of the rarest and most luxurious cars in the world, including a selection of classic cars.
• Headlining the event is an exceptional and unique copy of the 1955 Lincoln Indianapolis from Carrozzeria Boano Torino, which combines Italian design innovations inspired by aircraft with a distinctive American chassis.
• The event will witness the display of the iconic “Cord L-29 Cabriolet” convertible, which is the first mass-produced front-wheel drive car.
• Media materials can be downloaded via the following link: Media materials link
Under the patronage of His Royal Highness Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, the Crown Prince and Prime Minister, may God protect him, the first edition of the Bahrain Royal Concours will be held, showcasing a number of rare and luxurious cars in the history of the American automobile industry, on the 7th and 8th of next November at the Royal Golf Club.
This exclusive collection consists of ten exceptional models that embody the journey of American innovation in the world of cars and design arts, led by a rare 1955 Lincoln Indianapolis.
The Bahrain Royal Concours is held with the support of the Bahrain Tourism and Exhibitions Authority, and includes 90 luxury and rare cars in the world, in addition to 300 cars from the most important car clubs in the region. The event confirms Bahrain’s position as a distinguished destination on the map of global concours events, including the most prominent high-level events in the United States of America and Europe.
The Lincoln Indianapolis car was designed by designer Gian Paolo Boano for Carrozzeria Boano Torino, where he excelled in merging the Italian design vision with American engineering expertise. This version was built on a 1955 Lincoln chassis, and its lines were inspired by aircraft design, as it is characterized by a streamlined circular center intersected by prominent side wings, decorative side exhaust outlets, and a glass cockpit inspired by the streamlined Le Mans racing cars of the 1930s. The bold design also dispensed with the traditional front grille and replaced it with an air vent under the front bumper, and the stunning aesthetic touches were completed with vertical headlights with chrome-plated oval frames, and similar taillights.
It is worth noting that the Lincoln Indianapolis immediately captured the world’s attention when it was first displayed at the Turin Auto Show in 1955. It was later purchased by the Ford Motor Company, reportedly at the request of Henry Ford II, and shipped to the United States of America.
After the car changed hands from one private collection to another for decades, it underwent a meticulous two-year restoration by Jim Cox Sr. and Jim Cox Jr., under the supervision of the famous car collector Thomas Kerr. This exceptional restoration received the highest honor in the Post-War Custom Car category at the Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance in 2001. The car then went on to win awards at major events, including Amelia Island and Greenwich, and then its award record was crowned by another victory at Pebble Beach, where Won the prestigious Lincoln Cup.
In addition to the Indianapolis car, the classic American car category includes the luxury “Cord L-29 Cabriolet,” which represented a pioneering achievement in the history of the automobile industry in the United States as it was the first mass-produced American front-wheel drive car. This model has a long and honorable history within the Auburn Cord Duesenberg Club and the Classic Car Club of America, as it was owned by veteran Auburn Cord Duesenberg Club member Pete Walker, who previously worked at the Auburn Cord Dealership in Atlanta, and then ownership of the car was transferred to L-29 collector Bob Eagle, then to Jack Dunning, who supervised its award-winning restoration by If Cobb.
The car shines in a dazzling combination of Navajo Red and black, with rare Woodlight headlights and original accessories from the same period. The car received a Class 1 rating from the Auburn Cord Duesenberg Club, and won the Allan Leamy Award for Best L-29 Model in 1996. It also achieved a perfect score (100 points) on three consecutive occasions in the Classic Car Club of America ratings, and received the Senior Badge from both organizations.
The “Classic American Cars” category includes 8 other cars, all of which embody the legacy of American achievements and innovations in the world of automobiles, beginning from the pre-war era and continuing through the golden age of custom designs.
On this occasion, Mr. James Brooks Ward, Chairman of the Bahrain Royal Concours, said: “The ‘American Classic Cars’ category underscores the Bahrain Royal Concours’ commitment to highlighting outstanding achievements in the automotive field from around the world. These models represent milestones in the history of American design and engineering, and we are honored to display them here in Bahrain alongside a selected group.” Carefully crafted from the most luxurious cars in the world.”
The event program will continue over two days, as the “Royal Day” activities will begin on Friday, November 7, when the most prominent cars will be displayed on the Concourse Theater, followed by an awards ceremony on Saturday, to honor the winners of the various categories and crown the best cars on display.
The number of tickets is strictly limited, and they are available now via the following link: royalconcours.com
Event details: Royal Golf Club, Kingdom of Bahrain
November 7-8, 2025
To purchase tickets and get more information: royalconcours.com
@royalbahrainconcours
