There are few people in the world as passionate about collecting miniature cars as Lebanese businessman and former rally and hill-climb champion Billy Karam. With multiple Guinness World Records to his name, Karam’s dedication to preserving automotive history through thousands of meticulously crafted model cars is as impressive as his success on the racing circuit. In this exclusive interview, we learn more about his remarkable career, the car museum he founded in Lebanon and why promoting road safety remains a top priority in his life.

If you had to summarize your life in a few sentences, what would you say?

Like every child, I used to have a modest collection of model cars. But, our home in Zokak El Blatt was ransacked during the war; everything was stolen, even the dioramas I used to make out of wood. It was traumatic, and I believe that this feeling of losing valuable and sentimental items affected me; that’s why I started to collect things.

With regard to my racing career, that all started when my big brother Ronnie took part in his first rally in a Vauxhall Viva GT. When I saw the car, I fell in love. Whereas Ronnie participated in only two rallies, I was obsessed with the sport. Of course, my family kept warning me of the dangers and didn’t want me to pursue the sport. So, I had to start working to save up for my own car.

I became Lebanese champion in 1986. That is how it started. I subsequently won the Lebanese rally and hill climb championships eight times.

I’m a passionate guy, definitely crazy too, because everybody tells me so! I adore Lebanon; I love my country and I love cars. I love speed too. However, as you grow older, you realize how precious life really is. That’s why spreading awareness on road safety is so important. I share this message with the younger generation who visit the museum.

You hold Guinness World Records for the largest collection of model cars and dioramas. What can you tell us about these incredible accomplishments?

I remember meeting someone from Guinness World Records at a party to celebrate Lebanon winning the title for the biggest hummus in the world. I told him that I have a big collection of model cars and asked who has the largest collection in the world. When he said that the title was held by someone in Dubai with 12,000 cars, I knew I had much more (over 20,000 at the time). So, I counted my cars and prepared the file. With around 27,700 cars, I won and kept breaking the same record. Today, my model car collection stands at around 45,000.

I also hold the record for the largest collection of dioramas and broke another for the largest collection of stamps featuring automobiles. So, seven Guinness World Records to my name, which I am proud of. It’s all for Lebanon.

When did you establish the Billy Karam model car museum in Lebanon and what are some of the museum’s unique features?

I founded the museum around 33 years ago. After setting up two rooms, I invited the Ministry of Tourism at the time to view the collection and help promote it as the largest model car museum in Lebanon and the world, thereby encouraging others to come.

We currently have 14 rooms, each dedicated to a specific theme. For example, we are currently in the Rally Room. There’s also the Classic Car Room, featuring my brother’s car collection, which is separate from my own. Other rooms include the Porsche Room, War Room, BMW Room, 24 Hours of Le Mans Room, Formula One Room, Army Room and Trucks Room. Each room focuses on a different subject.

Unfortunately, space limitations forced me to stop expanding in 2019.

What drives you?

I’m a very energetic person and do many things. I’m dedicated to supporting communities and serve as chairman of several companies. I also work closely with my family in our numerous businesses, including Chili’s restaurant, and manage commitments with the municipality and the automobile club, which I’m passionate about.

Furthermore, I serve as president of the chalet owners’ association in Faraya, which is a full-time job in itself. I barely have time for myself! Unfortunately, I’ve had to cut back on sports as I’ve grown older and after the economic crash. I reduced my racing activities and eventually stopped altogether because racing in Lebanon lost its appeal for me. I’ve competed in world championships on ice and in rallycross, with trophies to show for it. But racing abroad is very expensive, and I can’t afford it anymore. If given the chance, I’d drop everything and return to racing in a heartbeat.

What is your greatest wish for Lebanon?

In Lebanon, contentment comes from embracing simplicity. If you constantly crave more, you’ll never find happiness. All we hope for is a Lebanon that belongs to its people.

The Billy Karam Museum is open from Monday to Friday (8 am – 4 pm). For more information, call +961 9 211 761.

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If you enjoyed reading our interview with Billy Karam, check out our article on the renowned Lebanese mountaineer and adventurer Maxine Chaya.