Cars of Sultan Qaboos
Oman’s Sultan Qaboos bin Said, the Mideast’s longest-ruling monarch who seized power in a 1970 palace coup, pulled his Arabian sultanate into modernity. He is regarded as the father of Modern Oman. The British-educated, reclusive sultan reformed a nation that was home to only three schools and harsh laws banning electricity, radios, eyeglasses and even umbrellas when he took the throne.
One of the major challenges for the late HM Sultan was the poor infrastructure in Oman. On the day of his ascension the nation had only six kilometers of paved roads. Today his mighty nation has 29,685 kms of paved roads. Having to visit his country men in person every year, the late HM Sultan Qaboos often used the roadways and drove by himself.
Growing up in the United Kingdom, the late HM Sultan Qaboos grew a passion for British made Range Rovers and German Porsche's of many. His personal car can be identified by a large red number plate often embossed with the number one in gold or with five gold stars or housing the emblem of Oman.
1) Land Rover Range Rover:
On many occasions the late HM Sultan Qaboos used to drive an Army Green Land Rover Range Rover. The late Sultan owned a number of Range Rovers often updating the model after the launch of every new iteration. The Range Rovers were constantly updated until 2015.
2) Land Rover Defender Series
On the day of his ascension to the throne, the late HM Sultan Qaboos arrived in a Green Land Rover Defender 110 pickup. It was also the same Land Rover that was used on his final journey to the funeral.
3) Mercedes G Wagen
During one of his visits to the villages of Oman in the late 80s, the Late HM Sultan was found driving a 280D G-Wagen. Its was one of the rarest cars used by the late HM as he is often spotted in Range Rover Vogues.
4) Mercedes S 500
5) Mercedes 600 Pullman and S600 Guard
Mercs have always been a part of the Al Said Royal Family of Oman. The loyal machine has always been the to-go vehicle for the late HM Sultan Qaboos. During his early days as the king, the late HM Sultan Qaboos was often chauffeured in a green 600 Pullman. By the 90s the 600 Pullman was replaced by the Mercedes Benz S600 Pullman Guard. Usually used on convoys, three S600 Pullman Guards, one hosting the Sultan and other two being support vehicles form a part of the motorcade.
6) Convoys Cars
While on Convoys, the Hummer H1,Nissan Patrols, Toyota Land Cruisers and Lexus Lx 570s were used as armed vehicles that protect the Sultan's car. Most of the Hummers were replaced by 2008. During the 2020 funeral motorcade too the vehicle hosting the late Sultan was guarded by 4 armed red Lexus LX 570s. Other vehicles on the convoy are made up of Audi A8s, Ford Crown Victorias, Lexus LS460s, Toyota Avalons, Mercedes S550 to mention a few. Most of the police cars used in the convoy are also Mercedes S550s.
Other Mentionable Cars
Two Maroon 2007 Mercedes S Class Pullman Limousines, Four red 2003 Mercedes S600 Pullman Limos, Four Maybach 62s, several Rolls Royce models, a plethora of Lamborghinis, a smattering of Ferraris, several classic Porsches, Multiple Nissans and Aston Martins, more than 20 Mercedes Benz Carsof different models and upto tem Beamers.
In all, the nation has lost a great leader, a father and a teacher. In the fond Memory of our Beloved Baba Qaboos whose nation ignited the petrol-head in me.
