Lebanese rally champion Nabil “Billy” Karam has spent more than three decades building one of the world’s largest collections of miniature cars, earning multiple Guinness World Records along the way.
The former racing driver has collected around 45,000 model cars, more than 700 detailed dioramas and over 11,000 automobile-themed stamps, all housed at his museum in Zouk Mosbeh, Lebanon.
But before becoming a world record holder, Karam was making a name for himself behind the wheel.
From Rally Champion to World Record Holder
Karam began his motorsport career in his early thirties, inspired by his older brother, Rony, who also competed in racing. He went on to become an eight-time Lebanese rally and hill-climb champion, with Porsche playing a major role in his career.
His passion for collecting miniature cars grew after a visit to an automotive exhibition in France, where he discovered miniature versions of a Porsche he had previously raced. He purchased around 20 models and customised them to resemble his own racing car.
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What started as a hobby quickly grew into a much larger collection.
As the number of miniature cars increased, Karam ran out of space at home. His wife suggested moving them to his workplace, where the collection continued to expand into what eventually became the Billy Karam Museum.
A Collection That Made Guinness World Records History
Karam earned his first Guinness World Record in 2009 with a collection of 22,222 miniature cars.
He continued adding to it, breaking his own record with 27,777 cars in 2011 and reaching an officially verified total of 37,777 in 2016.
His achievements extend beyond miniature cars. Guinness World Records also recognised his collection of 577 dioramas in 2016 and 7,777 automobile-themed stamps in 2024.
In a September 2026 interview with Anadolu Agency, Karam said his museum had earned seven Guinness World Records, although Guinness’s publicly available records do not independently confirm the full seven-title count.
Today, Karam estimates his collection includes approximately 45,000 miniature vehicles, with displays featuring everything from Porsche and Ferrari racing cars to classic vehicles, Formula One models and historic automobiles.
Inside the Billy Karam Museum
Located in Zouk Mosbeh, the museum features 14 themed rooms filled with miniature vehicles, racing memorabilia, trophies and carefully constructed dioramas.
Many of the dioramas recreate moments from Karam’s own racing career, while others depict famous motorsport events, historical scenes and moments inspired by popular films.
Speaking to The Sandy Times in February 2025, Karam described the museum as “my legacy, my life story.”
The museum is also open to visitors free of charge, with Karam welcoming students and young people to explore the collection while learning about road safety.
For Karam, his love for cars has gone far beyond racing. What began as a personal hobby has grown into a museum that preserves decades of motorsport history, with tens of thousands of miniature cars to show for it.
