Motoring in the Arabian Gulf

Sir,

As a resident of Dubai now for nearly one year I feel compelled to comment on the letter from A. J. Wood of December 1977, about motoring in the Arabian Gulf’.

I can only suggest that whilst he is driving around he must either be keeping a very wary eye for the errant camel (a real hazard) or to be too intrigued by the exotic Arab women behind their burkas and veils. Without even going outside the Emirate of Dubai, One can see a Countach, 3 Espadas, a Urraco, a Boxer; several 911 (one of which I drove out here myself) a turbo, 914’s and a 928, an Alpine A110, 2 SS Jags and a few Jensens. There are, of course, countless BMWs, Mercedes and an ever increasing number of Jaguars. Rolls-Royce are here too and the number is increasing; the reason for the lack of, I should say, is that Rolls are not exactly the car one buys off the shelf. A good thing maybe but not here.

Whilst it is true 16 say that the Americans and Japanese have a very large sector of the market, probably due to politics and an initial general lack of sales drive by the European Manufacturers, this is changing, there is a very definite increase in the number of European cars, especially those now concentrating on giving long term warranties against corrosion some as long as 6 years guess who?

Dubai N. J. RUSH