Do you remember your first car? For most drivers, getting the keys to their very first car, usually along with passing the driving test, is about freedom, independence and no longer having to rely on parents, public transportation or bicycles to get from A to B. We have collected the stories of first cars from a wide range of people in the UAE and beyond; from the famous and not-so-much. Some were fortunate enough to drive something new and shiny right from the start, while others had to content themselves with something secondhand and not necessarily reliable. But all of these stories show that, no matter who you are or what brand of vehicle, purchasing that first car is a life-changing moment to be remembered forever.
Kind of like your first love.
'I fell asleep at the wheel'
My first car was a sky blue Ford Capri GT and I loved it because it was the car I always wanted as a kid. I loved it so much I gave it a brand new secondhand engine, did all the work myself over several English winter weeks and with no garage. It all ended sadly when I fell asleep at the wheel driving home one night and collided with a give-way sign, writing off the car completely. I was 17 and was devastated by the experience. Even now, more than 30 years later, I still have yearnings to own another Ford Capri.
Don Sankey, F1 In Schools manager, Abu Dhabi
'Perfect for a budding driver'
While I had been driving for years, I got my first car when I went to university. A 1999 BMW Z3 M Coupe with Estoril Blue paint and a black leather interior was the "prize" I desired from my parents for getting myself into UC, Berkeley. What a prize she was, a thrilling machine to drive, so responsive and visceral. I had some of my most wondrous journeys with her surrounding me, adventuring through the coasts, forests and deserts of California for six years. She was the perfect companion for a budding racing driver and I'll always love that car.
Basil Shaaban, Lebanese F3 driver
'The car lasted longer than the relationship'
My first car was a Fiat 128 and I loved it to bits. Anything that got me out of the rainy bus shelters in Manchester was a gift. I used to think going to work looking like a drowned rat with make-up running down my face was the only look a true Manc bird could sport in the Eighties. That Fiat changed my life - I could zip round town DJing in some of Manchester's dodgiest clubs, and because my car was so uncool I always knew it would be there waiting for me at the end of the night. In other words, nobody wanted to be seen dead in it. The only other cars more embarrassing at that time were Ladas or Skodas. Thankfully, I never sank that low. I remember it breaking down and being towed away by an AA guy who I went on to have a relationship with. The car lasted longer than the relationship, but I have never been particularly lucky with either men or cars. The men I have learned to live without. The cars, well, I suppose I just keep trying.
Gail Clough, owner and host of The Laughter Factory comedy nights
'A very comfortable companion'
My first car was a new Mercedes, which I had bought immediately after getting my driving licence in the UAE. It was a full options E220 in silver colour with black leather interior and a sun-roof. It was a very beautiful and extremely comfortable car. I enjoyed a lot in my car, driving for fun, shopping and work. As my work required me to move around within the UAE, I spent a great deal of my time in my car. We also used to drive my car for picnics on weekends to parts of the UAE including Fujairah and Al Ain. My first car was a very reliable and comfortable companion for three years.
Juhi Yasmeen Khan, Dubai-based fashion designer
'Driven in second gear for five years'
This tale is set in the mid 1970s when I was given my grandfather's dark blue Austin 1100, known as Alf. As my grandfather was getting older, he had started to drive slower. Consequently, the car had been driven at 40mph [64kph] in second gear for about five years. As a result, the cogs had worn out, so I had to hold the car in gear all the time. I failed my first driving test for keeping hold of the gear lever. For a while I had to drive it with L-Plates or I would convince girls with full licences to ride with me in the car, as I needed a fully qualified driver to accompany me. Eventually, when I joined the army, and got a drivers' licence, the car went to my sister, Katy. I guess the car is in Austin heaven now.
Ian Gorsuch, McLaren Automotive regional director Middle East, Africa, and Asia Pacific
'It had to be big enough to sleep in'
When I came to California in 1972 and was getting started in show business, the most important thing I had to have was a car. Then I didn't even have a place to live, so I knew the car I bought had to be big enough to sleep in. I found it in a used car paper. It was a '55 Buick Roadmaster Hardtop. It cost $350 (Dh1,285). It might have been my first love, but I have been swayed by newer and prettier models since. It sat idle for 16 years, but I finally realised that I needed to go back to my first love. Me and the boys in my garage fitted a Corvette suspension, a new steering box, disc brakes and Koni shocks. We cut the front end off at the firewall and fitted a new subframe to mount a 572 cubic-inch big-block Chevy from the General Motors Performance Parts range, plus a few bits. It's wonderful how it hooks up and it has the ability to lay down a huge strip of rubber in each gear, which is phenomenal for a 1,995kg car. It drives like a modern car but looks like my old car.
Jay Leno, talk-show host and comedian
'My dad knows the Ford dealer'
Most people end up with some clapped-out motor for their first car, but I was a bit lucky. I got a brand new Ford Focus just after passing my driving test aged 17. My dad knows the local Ford dealer where we're from and he's pretty much sorted all the family out. I've not had any of the comedy moments in that car that most people do. I passed it to my sister before moving on to the next model.
Leon Haslam, current World Superbike Championship leader
'Driving the car was absolute bliss'
After leaving Iraq for the UAE, my first car was a silver BMW 316 with black interior. It was a milestone in my life because of the passion I had for the BMW brand. Driving the car was absolute bliss. The BMW is beautifully driver- oriented and I could feel my every movement on the road. I have the same feeling now everytime I drive a BMW. My passion for BMW began when I was 12. I collected pictures of BMWs and my only dream was to one day actually come close enough to touch the car. Now as brand manager for Rolls-Royce in Abu Dhabi, I am fortunate to have more than surpassed my dreams, and work for the world's pinnacle luxury automotive brand. I now dream of owning a Rolls-Royce Phantom Drophead Coupe before I retire.
Kadhim al Helli, Rolls-Royce brand manager for Abu Dhabi Motors
'The most fun I've ever had in a car'
The first car I ever had was an Opel Corsa 1.3. OK, it wasn't as powerful as some of the other cars I've driven but it is the most fun I've ever had in a car, including in Formula One. I remember I used to drive it to the UK from my home in Spain to race. Let's just say it was a well-repaired car. I had several accidents - none of them serious, but all of them my fault. I'm better on a racing track than on the road! It was my mum's car and then my brother's and finally mine. Maybe to some people it wasn't the greatest car, but I absolutely loved it.
Pedro de la Rosa, Pirelli test driver
'I found my freedom with Black Betty'
In August 1995 on Al Wasl Road there was a mad Scots woman, four months pregnant, riding a dilapidated electric blue bicycle - that was me. I'd chain up my belovedTrek to a lamp post outside the driving centre, my instructor would pat its seat lovingly and tell it I'd be back in an hour. To my amazement I passed my test first time. The Trek was retired and my new mode of transport was a black seven-seater Nissan Super Safari. A bit of a tank for a first time driver but a perfect car for a not so co-ordinated pregnant woman. A bit pimped out, red flashes on its sides, it had a rough life. Rebuilt by a friend of mine, I lovingly adopted it. With its fake suede Satwa-fitted red interior and fluffy carpets, my cassette deck pounding out 80s music, I found my freedom with Black Betty!
Billie Mobayed, director, Life Model Management
'I was just trying to impress girls'
I was pretty lucky. It was a smart Roadster, given to me by Mercedes when I was one of their junior drivers at the age of 18. It was a convertible and stylish - a teenager's dream car, really. Most people think of smart cars as being a bit boring but this one wasn't, it was great fun. I think most people have much worse first cars. I was 18 at the time so I was just trying to impress girls. Let's just say I had quite a lot of fun for the two years I owned the car. In the wet, it would drift a bit so that was good fun, but thankfully I never had any accidents.
Adrian Sutil, Force India driver, F1
'Unlike Usain Bolt, I've never crashed'
I've got seven cars - one for every day of the week. My first car was a Honda Accord and I did the works with it. I got a funky turbo on it, changed the exhaust and did the wheel rims. Wow, it looked great and, being my first car, it's still my favourite car. Unlike Usain Bolt [who crashed his car in April 2009] I've never crashed. I'm definitely a better driver than Usain. That Honda gave me the desire to become a racing driver but I'll wait until my track career is over. I'm not sure my sponsors would like it.
Asafa Powell, Jamaican sprinter
'It misled people to my size'
My first car was a Golf GL, number plate B190 XHV, petrol green, inherited from my mother. She would pull up at school, I'd jump in, have tea and sandwiches and she'd give me lessons, me still covered in mud, wearing rugger boots. I passed my test on the second time, failing the first time for swearing. I had the Golf for 10 years. Being a small car, it misled a few people to my size. An Italian driver in a Lancia wanted to have a go at me in London but when I got out he apologised, even though it was my fault. He said he had a weak heart. In the end, the Golf could just do journeys within London. A buyer said if the car could get to Sussex from London, he'd pay £50 (Dh290). It had to be towed. Many happy memories - I raced a Porsche, beat Ferraris at the lights - because of scratches on the side and only enough space for one car! The Golf that knew no fear is still missed.
Charlie Pocock,director, Meem Gallery, Dubai
'A bumpy ride and go-kart cornering'
My first car was a shiny white Mini City. It was in amazing condition as my grandad was in the trade and got it for me for a song on a finance snatchback. I clearly remember the very first time I took it out on my own. At a set of lights, a cat ran out in front of me, giving me and the cat the scare of my life. Panic overtook and I had no idea what to do so I just sped up in a vain effort to do "something". Sadly, the bump told the story and I was left with a broken number plate and twitching, just like the poor cat. It took me a while to get over that, but even a short trip would bring a smile to my face. The bumpy ride and go-kart cornering never failed to delight. I had to sell it to raise funds for university a few years later. But nearly 15 years on I have gone back to my roots and recently bought a Mini Cooper and with it the smiles.
Aaron White, blogger for www.englishmanindubai.com
'She was fast, fun and funky'
My first car, a dark blue Toyota Corolla, was a hand-me-down from my mom, who wanted to make sure I came home from university in Quebec on the weekends - a 180km journey that I was reluctant, or perhaps too lazy, to make by bus. The gift of wheels increased the likelihood of visits, fuelled as much by guilt as by gas. The blue bombshell had a strange electrical issue - something to do with the fuses - which caused her to randomly shut down and me to guide her to a coasting stop, sometimes on a busy highway, other times at night without headlights. I'd pull over and replace the fuses - I always carried a supply. She was fast and fun and funky, despite her eccentricities. She might be why I favour compact cars to this day.
Susan Macauley, founder of www.amazingwomenrock.com
'I sold it for scrap'
My first car was a Renault 5 with a huge sunroof. I bought it at an auction. It broke down 3km from the auction house and never worked properly ever again. I eventually sold it for scrap, a total heap of junk. I've never been to a car auction since that embarassing day. The first car I really drove was a Vauxhall Nova and it was fantastic. It had been handed down the family and got me around the UK for DJ gigs in London, Manchester and the south coast. I loved that car to bits.
Jeff Price, radio presenter on Coast FM
'My car was stolen twice in one day'
Being 17 in South Africa meant I was allowed to drive a car but not own one. But for me, rules were never important, so I bought my friend's white Mazda Rustler pickup for around Dh5,000.That car had many adventures - from transporting a chef to hospital with a head wound from a pizza cutter, to taking street kids who broke into my car to the police station. I never really looked after it and towards the end of its life, the inner door panels had been ripped out by my dog, the engine was in bad shape, it was in need of a paint job. The end came fast. One afternoon I caught a man rolling my car down the hill. He saw me, jumped out and ran. I chased him but lost him. Luckily I still had my car. Wrong. That night, street kids stole my car, tried to hotwire it while rolling it down a hill, and crashed into a wall. Having your car stolen twice in one day is pretty unlucky. The insurance paid out and I put the money towards my next camera.
Candy Kennedy, photographer and blogger for anartistintheworld.blogspot.com
'A wild, strong rebel' My plan was set even before I got my licence. I had my eye on my dad's car ever since he bought it, a 1993 Jeep Cherokee Laredo, not the Grand Cherokee; it was sporty, an amazing ride, I loved that car. I was eager to get my licence, if only to drive it. It was like me: wild, strong and ready to rebel. It was not common to see young girls driving a Cherokee then as it was considered a boys' toy. After all these years, I still become sensitive when I remember the Jeep, or see a similar car on the road. It reminds me of the wild days.
Zubaida al Bloushi, an organiser of the Women's Auto Racing Club Unit Drive for UAE National Day