I’ve wanted to visit this museum since my first visit to Jordan in 2005, but something always came up. I know I will remember 2022 for many pleasant reasons, but one is definitely a big wish coming true – I have made it to the Royal Automobile Museum!

This is a replica of the first car officially presented to the world. It was manufactured by Karl Benz in 1886 after installing an engine into a special frame. This car changed the way we all live.

This is the actual speeder used in the 2019 Star Wars movie “The Rise of Skywalker”. The movie was filmed in the scenic Jordanian desert of Wadi Rum. The Speeder is made from metal and fiberglass.

This unique aerodynamic car was designed by Hans Ledwinka, a Czech engineer who had changed automotive design forever. It was supposed to be the vehicle for the masses. However, production stopped when Germany attacked Czechoslovakia, and German officers took most Tatras in the war.

Aston Martin DB2 1952

The DB2 was the first successful design with a powerful 2.6-litre engine and a sports chassis. Aston Martin established itself as the best British sports cars of the 60s with the advent of the DB4s and DB5s. The James Bond movies using the DB5 models also helped the brand to become the choice of many enthusiasts. His Majesty the Late King Hussein used this car privately before he was crowned King. He was studying at Sandhurst, England, when he visited the factory and collected the car personally. The car was later gifted to King Faisal II of Iraq. Many years later, word came that a similar car was in very bad condition in Iraq. Its history was suspect until the original hole for the flagpole was found under the headliner and confirmed to be the King’s. The car was sent to the factory and restored to its original condition.

The Lincoln Capri was the company’s top-of-the-line model, well known for their mechanical quality. Presidents Coolidge, Roosevelt, Truman and Kennedy used Lincolns for official occasions. This car was commissioned for the coronation of King Hussein in May 1953. It continued to be used for official functions by King Hussein until more modern cars took over this function.

Using a very special “convertible sedan” body-style with four opposing doors, this model is the highest quality car ever to be manufactured by Ford. This automobile represents a long history of service to Jordan. It was used in official and private events such as the Marriage of His Majesty King Abdullah II to Her Majesty Queen Rania, the Coronation of their Majesties King Abdullah II and Queen Rania and the Opening of Parliament by King Hussein in 1986.

The 1956 Cadillac was the most luxurious car offered in America. It was fully equipped with signal-seeking radio, automatic air-conditioning, power seats, and power windows, as well as an “electronic eye” that automatically switches the headlights from bright to dim when an oncoming car is approaching. Only 955 eight-passenger limousines were made, and a handful were bullet-proofed. This car was a gift from General Eisenhower, President of the U.S.A. It was the first armoured car used in modern Jordan.

The fastest sedan of its time, this Mercedes-Benz had the large 600 engine installed in the smaller body, and with air suspension became a real “hotrod” with 0-100 km/h acceleration in 6.5 seconds. This automobile took His Majesty the Late King Hussein through some of the most turbulent times of the Kingdom. It was in it that he was subjected to two separate attempts on his life. This car remains a symbol of the trying events the country and the region passed through during those volatile years.

This car was used privately by Her Majesty the Late Queen Alia with Mrs Richard Nixon upon her trip to Jordan with U.S. President Richard Nixon.

The G Class started life as a military vehicle in 1979 after the late Shah of Iran convinced Mercedes-Benz to produce them after he committed to purchasing a large quantity for the Iranian army. The G Class developed over the years, and new civilian versions became international icons as 4×4 all-terrain luxury vehicles, popular all over the world. They became the longest-manufactured models of the company spanning over 42 years. They were all produced in Austria. The military versions were bare and simple, with small 4-cylinder engines. HM King Hussein wanted a military version but with powerful V-8 engines. The Mercedes-Benz Board of Directors gave special permission to produce only one vehicle -this one- to have the V-8 engine in military specification.

This model has a three-speed transmission and a 150 cc engine. It was completely restored to brand-new condition and gifted to His Majesty King Abdullah II in 2012 for his 50th birthday.

Originally dark blue, this car was repainted white and used regularly by His Majesty the Late King Hussein on trips to Aqaba with then HRH Prince Abdullah.

This is the only bike in the world designed to look like the Lamborghini Reventon. Hand-made in Hungary, it is truly one-of-a-kind. It was gifted to His Majesty the King to be shown at the museum.

This car was used at Rumman Hill Climb in 1987 and 1988 by His Majesty the Late King Hussein.

“The Car that Swims” was a German attempt to produce a vehicle that could be used as a car and a boat. Built primarily as a leisure vehicle, this car was too slow for the road and not very practical in the water. This Amphicar was gifted to His Majesty the Late King Hussein and enjoyed in Aqaba, where it was used to take guests for a quick tour of the gulf. It was unique to see a car driving from the land into the sea and just float away.

This car was used by His Majesty the Late King Hussein with Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth of Great Britain and her husband, His Royal Highness Prince Philip, on a trip to Petra and Wadi Rum while visiting Jordan.