Organised by Khalifa o Ghulfi, a classic car collector from the UAE, the Arabian Desert Bedford Run saw several immaculate Bedford trucks participate in an exciting off-road convoy. Hendrik Bester reports
Off-road “ vehicles are to the desert what boats are to the sea. It brings people together on special journeys.” These are the profound words of the world’s largest car collector, His Highness Sheikh Hamad bin Hamadan Al Nahyan, a member of the ruling family of the United Arab Emirates (UAE). His impressive collection is said to surpass 1,000 vehicles, with the majority being showcased in two car museums in the UAE. His Highness shared this sentiment with me while I was an honorary guest at the Arabian Desert Bedford Run, organized by fellow car enthusiast Khalifa o Ghulfi. Khalifa’s collection boasts over 100 Series Land Rovers, more than half with military origins, and 11 Bedfords – with his prized possession being the 1943 QL.
For weeks, Khalifa and his team worked hard to meticulously prepare the Bedfords for the desert convoy. He extended invitations to many of his Emirati friends, all enthusiasts of Land Rovers and other off-road vehicles. We gathered on a cool Saturday morning in Khal…
