45,000 Mini Cars.. A Lebanese Rally Driver Turns Childhood Passion into a Free Museum

- The relationship of rally driver Nabil Karam, known as "Billy Karam," with cars began at an early age when he collected a small group of miniature cars during his childhood, before losing them completely after his family's home was robbed during the Lebanese Civil War. Over the years, he returned to buy back what he had lost, transforming the desire to restore his childhood collection into a greater passion for collecting miniature cars, coinciding with his love for speed and motorsport.

What started as a childhood hobby has turned over more than three decades into a museum that encapsulates his passion, housing thousands of miniature cars, models, and collectibles related to the automotive world. Today, his collection includes about 45,000 miniature cars, along with hundreds of models and thousands of stamps, and this collection has earned him seven Guinness World Records across three categories.

These collectibles do not come solely from Lebanon; Karam stated in an interview with Afaq News in Arabic that more than 90% of his collection is sourced from other countries, including China and European nations. His frequent travels help him search for pieces at specialized exhibitions and events, including the toy fair in Nuremberg, Germany, which gathers exhibitors from around the world, and he sometimes purchases special collections from other collectors.

Models from the World Wars and the Lebanese War The models take a special space in the museum, partly linked to Karam's personal experience behind the wheel. When he captures during races images of scenes he finds striking, such as jumps, slides, or riding on two wheels, he tries to turn them into models.

The collection also includes scenes inspired by World War II and the Lebanese War, along with models of Formula One, rallies, landscapes, and car gatherings. Karam determines the size of the models according to the available space and materials he has, as he organizes the museum rooms in a way that allows for the accommodation and organization of the collectibles before deciding on the appropriate size for each scene.

Thus, these models not only document the history of motorsport but also reflect various aspects of the events and experiences that have influenced his life. What is the secret of the relationship that binds him to the "Porsche" car?

Among the possessions that hold a personal story for him, the "Porsche 911 SC RS Rothmans" stands out, as Karam began participating in rallies in his early thirties after he started working and was able to buy his first used "Porsche" car, through which he managed to secure second place in the overall ranking of the Lebanese championship. Later, he bought the "Porsche 911 SC RS Rothmans" in 1986, which, according to his account, helped him win his first rally championship.

Karam links this experience to his special relationship with "Porsche," which also made him the first president of the club for this brand of cars in the Middle East. A free museum and a message for road safety with the transformation of the collection into one of the most prominent collections of miniature cars and models, Karam decided to open the museum to the public for free.

Since then, the place has welcomed visitors from various parts of Lebanon and other countries, attracting schools, universities, and scouts, who form part of its audience. However, the museum has become for Karam not just a space to display his possessions, but over time it has gained another function related to raising awareness about road safety.

This aspect was reinforced after his collection received international recognition, and he began using the museum to convey a message to the new generation about road safety, respecting car culture, and safe driving.