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Lebanese collector opens free museum displaying 45,000 miniature vehicles
Lebanese collector Billy Karam has opened a free museum in Zouk Mikael, north of Beirut, displaying 45,000 miniature vehicles. The museum features a collection ranging from war scenes to motor sports, along with more than 700 dioramas, over 11,000 stamps depicting cars and seven Guinness World Records certificates.
Located in the town of Zouk Mikael, north of Beirut, the museum reflects Lebanese collector Billy Karam's passion for cars and motor racing. The two-story building, which looks like an ordinary structure from the outside, displays 45,000 miniature vehicles and welcomes visitors free of charge.
From Lebanon's memory to scenes of war
The collection includes miniature models of racing cars from brands such as Ferrari and Porsche, civilian vehicles, police cars and ambulances. Miniatures of civilian and military aircraft from different countries are also among the museum's exhibits.
The First and Second World Wars, the wars in Lebanon and conflicts in the region are recreated through dioramas at the museum. Soldiers and army figures appear in the same scenes as cartoon characters such as Mickey Mouse, Tintin and Milo.
Karam's collection also includes more than 700 dioramas and over 11,000 stamps depicting cars. Items related to aviation, motorcycles and different forms of motor racing broaden the scope of the car-focused collection.
The section on the second floor displays trophies from Karam's motor-racing career, Guinness certificates, postage stamps featuring cars and photographs taken with athletes from the worlds of Formula 1 and rallying.
From a passion for racing to a 45,000-piece collection
Karam, who is around 70, said his interest in cars, particularly Porsche models, began during his childhood. He later said he founded the first Porsche club in the Middle East and that Porsche's company in Germany appreciated the initiative.
After developing an interest in motor sports by watching his older brother Roni race, Karam eventually moved from being a spectator to competing on racetracks. He said he won championships in rally races in Lebanon before reducing his participation in races and turning to collecting miniature vehicles and figures.
Karam's transition to collecting began when he saw small models of the car he had raced in Lebanon at an exhibition he visited in France. After buying around 20 models, Karam changed their names and paintwork to make them more closely resemble his racing car.
As the number of pieces grew, the models were moved first to Karam's room, then to his office and another room. Karam said the museum also received its first Guinness World Record during this period.
Seven Guinness records and a message on safe driving
Karam said the museum holds seven Guinness World Records. He said these include records for the largest collection of miniature cars, the most dioramas and the largest collection of postage stamps featuring cars.
The museum is open to everyone, especially students, free of charge. Karam, president of the Lebanese Automobile Club, tells visitors that their passion for cars should not turn into carelessness; he stresses the importance of wearing seat belts and not using phones while driving.
Karam said Jean Todt, the former president of the International Automobile Federation, visited the museum and encouraged him to continue promoting this message.
Personal and collective memories held by the collection
According to Karam, every piece in the museum carries a memory of a race, a vehicle he drove, a historical period or a meeting with an athlete known around the world. He said the war-themed dioramas reflect major events that left a mark both on his own life and in the memory of the Lebanese people.
Karam no longer competes in races, but said his passion for cars has not ended and has moved from the racetracks to the museum halls. He said he wants to expand the museum and add new projects and events, noting that Lebanon's economic and political conditions limit these goals.
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