Before we get to your gorgeous Pagoda, tell us a little more about yourself.
I left Jordan at the age of 17 and lived in Milan for two years. This is where my appreciation for cars began. I moved to the US in 1981 and then back to Jordan in 1995 and finally arrived in Dubai in 1996, where I have been since. I love Dubai because it's a combination of the West and the East. Life here is excellent and the government of Dubai has done an amazing job in building this city. The Emiratis are friendly, hospitable and make you feel at home. I've made many close Emirati friends and consider them family. They are very similar in culture and tradition to Jordanian people.
And where did you find this amazing 280SL?
A few months ago, while I was at the car show at Burj Khalifa, I saw the Pagoda and fell in love with it. I later came to know that a friend of mine, who is also a Mercedes SL enthusiast, was the owner. I called him and within two days, the car was mine. I had been looking for one for the past five years.
We are in love with it too. Who helps you take care of this beauty?
My friend Robbie Sabag is my contact in Germany and he provides me with any parts that I may need. Parts for this car are widely available in Germany but not in Dubai. Robbie, who is a professional in restoring Pagodas, is currently my guest in Dubai and is helping me and others restore their cars.
He is doing a great job. So far, I have had to replace the transmission gaskets, seals, plugs, wires, shock absorbers, front-end rubbers, filters, upholstery, the AC compressor and fuel injectors. It's necessary to give a full service to a classic Pagoda after you buy one. This way you start with a fresh service history and can track any issues in the future.
It's simple and reliable and does not need lots of maintenance once you bring it up to good condition. It still has the original Becker Europa radio. People love it and always look at it or make nice comments about it. I only drive it on Thursday nights and Fridays around town. I try to keep the mileage down and maintain it perfectly.
You're certainly taking care of it. What's it got under the bonnet?
The 1971 Pagoda has a six-cylinder inline engine with 160bhp. It has a four-speed automatic transmission.
Any interesting stories about the car?
Not with the Pagoda, but once I was followed by a German Emirates Airline pilot in Dubai who saw me driving my 1997 Porsche Targa. He stopped me and made a great offer for my car and I sold it. Two days later, I felt so bad to have let it go so I called and offered him Dh10,000 over the price — but he refused and shipped it to Germany. We are good friends now and he is taking great care of it. I'd like to pass my Pagoda to my son Tawfiq when he graduates. He is also a car fanatic and appreciates sportscars like I do.
Keep it in the family! Do you have any favourite cruising roads?
I like to drive the car in JBR and on the beach road in Jumeirah. It's fast and smooth.
Which other cars have you had?
I've had my share. I have had a Plymouth Road Runner, Camaro Z28, 1973 Dodge Challenger R/T, 1971 Hemi Cuda, Lancia Beta and Zagato, Nissan 280 ZX, 1987 Mercedes 500SL, BMW M5 and Z3, 1978 VW Super Beetle convertible — which was one of only seven ever made — Porsche Targa 1997 and 1998, 2005 Carrera Sand a 1988 Jaguar XJS.
Any others you would like to add to that very impressive list?
I like the BMW Z8 and the 1997 Porsche Carrera Turbo 993.
