Look: $12 Million Rolls-Royce and a Wall of UAE Plates Reveal Adihex’s Classic-Car Treasures

A $12 million Rolls-Royce, a hand-built British sports car from 1949, and a wall covered with old UAE number plates gave visitors to Adihex 2026 an unusual tour through the region’s motoring history.

The 1935 Rolls-Royce Phantom II formed one of the centerpieces of the Sharjah Classic Cars Club display. Only 37 were made, and nine are believed to survive worldwide, according to Ahmed bin Handhal, director of the Sharjah Classic Cars Museum. The car has an estimated market value of about $12 million, although its original condition could make it worth more.

The Phantom II still has its natural leather cabin and an internal glass partition separating the front and rear passenger areas. It has no air-conditioning. Openings at the front allowed air into the cabin, while spare tires were mounted outside when unpaved roads made tire damage more common. Bin Handhal said fish scales were used during the painting process to create the car’s distinctive black shine.

The exhibition’s other major car, a 1949 Riley RMC, has a natural leather and walnut interior. Riley produced 407 examples between 1948 and 1951, and the museum says 192 survive. Two are in the UAE. The displayed car remains in original condition and is valued at between $3.5 million and $5 million.

The Riley also reflects an early form of customization. Buyers could select the leather, paint, and other specifications instead of choosing from a fixed factory configuration. The model came in beige, black, dark blue, and green. Although nearly 80 years old, it could reach 100 kph from a standstill in about 12 seconds, Bin Handhal said. A badge recognizes it as one of the most beautiful cars of its period.

“We wanted to connect authenticity and passion,” Bin Handhal said, explaining why the club brought the cars to an exhibition centered on hunting, equestrianism, and heritage.

“

We wanted to connect authenticity and passion.