Abandoned exotic supercars are piling up in the wealthier countries of the Persian Gulf. Laws in the Middle East create the perfect conditions for this phenomenon. We bring you the ranking of the rarest abandoned cars in the Middle East.
Under Sharia law, which applies throughout the Middle East, defaulting on a debt is a crime. There are no laws in the UAE to protect you in the event of bankruptcy, even if it is clear that it was unintentional. Leaving exotic cars exposed to dust and the harsh desert sun in airport car parks is not just the preserve of people who have come to the Middle East on business. They are often the cars of locals whose businesses have failed and who have left the country. According to statistics, around 3’000 cars are abandoned in Dubai’s airports, public car parks and even on the streets every year. One man’s loss is actually another man’s gain and the lucky ones can buy these cars at live auctions. A live auction is usually an invitation-only event. Immediately after the auction is announced, registered buyers will receive an invitation after proving that they have enough money for the deposit.
01 Bugatti Veyron
The famous hyperspeed phenomenon from the Bugatti workshop cost its owner around one million Swiss francs, depending on the country’s tax rate and the seller’s margin. Only 450 of these phenomenal and record-breaking cars were built, and this year the last one was sold after ten years of production. The price of these cars is rising or stagnating, but due to the limited number of units produced, it is definitely not falling below the original value.
02 Ferrari F40
The legendary Ferrari, built to celebrate the company’s 40th anniversary, did not escape the Arab laws either. The world’s first production car to break the 200 mph (320 km/h) barrier was produced in 1,311 units, and today its value does not fall below 1 million euros.
03 Lamborghini Miura
The first Lamborghini with the engine behind the driver. An exotic similar to this abandoned example from the second half of the 1960s was sold for over two million US dollars at last year’s Monterey auction. The price is understandable given that only 740 of the Miura were produced.
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04 Jaguar XJ220
The British Unicorn was the fastest production car in the world until 1992.
A unique project undertaken by Jaguar in conjunction with Tom Walkinshaw Racing, the number of units produced was limited to 275. At the time, this example was also
in the collection of the Sultan of Brunei. Today, the value of this car does not fall below half a million US dollars.
05 Ferrari Enzo
Another model from the Italian brand celebrating its centenary. This time it is the F60, also known as the Enzo. This 660bhp thoroughbred cost its first owner around £1 million between 2002 and 2004. Today,
a well-preserved Enzo with low mileage can be had for over two million euros. Famous owners include Jay Kay of Jamiroquai
and Pink Floyd drummer Nick Mason.
