Hamad bin Hamdan Al Nahyan
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Sheikh Hamad Bin Hamdan Al Nahyan (Arabic: حمد بن حمدان آل نهيان) (also known affectionately as The Rainbow Sheikh) is a member of the Abu Dhabi Royal Ruling Family in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). Sheikh Hamad has retired from service in the army and Diplomatic life (he was Aide de Campe to the late Sheikh Zayed) and now spends his time on investigating new vehicle development throughout the world. He is based in North Africa.
Achievements
- He has one of the larger car collections in the world at between 200 to 400 cars and trucks, of which some are stored at the Emirates National Auto Museum, a 100m x 100m pyramid that he purpose built to display the vehicles. This is located 45 minutes outside Abu Dhabi and is open to the public.[1]
- He constructed the world's largest truck; a replica of a classic Dodge Power Wagon, about eight times the original Power Wagon size. It has four bedrooms inside the cabin. The vehicle also moves under its own power and weighs in excess of 50 tonnes.[2]
- He has also constructed the largest motorised model of a Willys WW2 Jeep, that is on display at the Emirates National Auto Museum.[3]
- In October 2012, the Largest motorised model Jeep was placed in the Guinness Book of World records. Sheikh Hamad was proud to promote the complete design and construction capabilities of his country.
- Sheikh Hamad also holds the Guinness Book of World records for the world's largest caravan. This is on display at the Emirates National Auto Museum (ENAM).
- In 1983 he acquired seven Mercedes Benz 500 SELs, and they were painted one rainbow colour for each day of the week. The firm "Styling Garage" in Germany painted each car in the colours of the rainbow, they have matching leather interiors. The vehicles also include gun racks on the inside of the boot lid which hold three M16 rifles. The rifles were painted to match the cars. The cars are now on public view at the Emirates National Auto Museum outside of Abu Dhabi.[4][5]
Other information
Sheikh Hamad owns part of Futaisi Iand, inherited from his late father Sheikh Hamdan Bin Mohammed Al Nahyan, a first cousin to Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan (1918-2004) the founder of the UAE. The island covers an area of 50 square kilometres (larger than Abu Dhabi central city). In approx 2003-2004 he had "HAMAD" carved into his island24°20′41.06″N 54°19′31.19″E / 24.3447389°N 54.3253306°E. The letters were dug so deep they formed waterways, and the inscription could be read from space. The letters had been removed and rumors has that Sheikh Hamad had to remove them, following controversies over his reasons and after comments from the Abu Dhabi government that it does not fit into Plan Abu Dhabi 2030[6][7]
References
- ↑ "Picasa Web Albums - Axel Heiter - Automuseum Sc". Picasaweb.google.com. 2008-10-25. Retrieved 2013-08-18.
- ↑ "Rainbow Sheikh's 'Power Wagon' - Construction". ArabianBusiness.com. Retrieved 2013-08-18.
- ↑ "Home". Enam.ae. Retrieved 2013-08-18.
- ↑ "Huge and Unique | Google Groups". Bbs.keyhole.com. Retrieved 2013-08-18.
- ↑ "Home". Enam.ae. Retrieved 2013-08-18.
- ↑ "Abu Dhabi Sheikh Has Name Erased From Private Island". The Wall Street Journal. 2013-04-30. Retrieved 2014-11-13.
- ↑ Al Futaisi (1970-01-01). "Futaisi Island - United Arab Emirates - Google Maps". Maps.google.com. Retrieved 2013-08-18.