How did your passion for cars begin?
I used to play with remote-control cars and I've been driving dune bikes since I was 12, and I had a lot of interest in machines. That's why I chose to study mechanical engineering.
Your Pontiac GTO is simply breathtaking. Tell us about it…
I bought it from an auction in the US as a restoration project two years ago. When I started out, I had problems sourcing parts and I was not familiar with the engine and wiring systems, so I had to trawl the internet and learn more about the car.
I emailed many car restoration experts in the US for information and they were very helpful. I am a big fan of muscle cars, but I only like the old ones — not the ones they build these days.
We couldn't agree more. You've modified it?
Yes. I was not keen on keeping it original. I wanted to turn it into a classic custom muscle car. I installed a new Edelbrock carburettor with a Holley air intake and a new exhaust system from Flowmaster. I also replaced the old wires, ignition system and spark plugs with high performance ones. I swapped the old wheels with custom built 19in Chip Foose alloys that were specially ordered from the US.
The interior was freshened up by adding some carbon fibre trim and I opted for digital racing instruments in the dash. The brakes and suspension were also upgraded.
When I got the car it was red and it had a lot of rust on the body. Choosing the colour was the hardest part. I decided to go with metallic black to complement the chrome bumpers. I think the new colour makes it look more muscular and aggressive.
You've got a pretty special place to parkit, right?
I built a new garage at home with a heat and water insulation system and, of course, air conditioning, just to keep the GTO in.
I service the car at home but sometimes there are things that I can't do, because I don't have the right tools. That's when I take it to a proper garage and work on it there with some help from the mechanics.
Do you manage to source parts for it, even though it's a 45-year-old car?
Yes, there are companies in the US that still manufacture parts for classic cars. They have almost everything you need for your car, ranging from engine components to rubber seals on the exterior. However, it is quite easy to maintain because it doesn't have a complicated engine like new cars.
Tell us about the engine...
It has the original 6.5-litre V8 which produces around 400bhp. It's also got the original four-speed Hurst manual.
It must have won an award or two…
It took first place in the ‘best classic custom competition' at the Barbican Turbo 2010 show. I did not participate in the 2009 event, but I attended it with a friend and I told him thatI would enter the next year and win. When I did, I was very happy. I won't ever forget that day.
It's rare to see a 1966 Pontiac GTO so it gets a lot of attention. I'm always asked if it's for sale. My answer is always the same — a flat ‘no'.
Once I was at the petrol station and a guy came running out of the shop towards the car. He was so thrilled to see it and gave me a great big hug.
Have you owned anything else as rare as this?
Not me, but my father used to have a 1971 Ferrari Daytona.
Do you have a dream car?
A 1994 McLaren F1.
Bio
Name Ahmad Mohammad Salem Al Melaihi
Job Senior mechanical engineering student at the American University of Sharjah
From Umm Al Quwain
Car 1966 Pontiac GTO
In UAE Born here
