How did your obsession for collecting model cars start?
I started collecting racing cars when I went to an exhibition in France and I saw the Porsche 911 SC RS, with which I won the first Lebanese rally championship. So I bought it. When I couldn’t buy real cars anymore, I started buying miniatures.
Where do you think the urge comes from?
My older brother was a collector of Classic cars and was also into racing rallies. After he stopped, I guess I just took over and pushed it to the limit. On another level, I’m someone who doesn’t want to grow up. I have small statues of characters like Tin Tin and the Smurfs, too.
Do your kids have models as well?
They do but they don’t allow me to touch them. You can imagine why.
How did you get into the Guinness Book of World Records, twice no less?
I met the Guinness team here when the world record for the biggest dish of tabbouleh was being set. I had heard that the man with the largest collection of toy cars was in Dubai. I think he had 20,000 but I knew mine was bigger. They asked me to count them so I could apply. I did. That was in 2009 and I had 22,222 cars. Then in 2011, I broke my own record with 27,777. I’ve also got a record for 333 dioramas, which I built myself.
Have you counted your toy cars this year?
I have over 30,000 cars and about 400 dioramas now. And I’m still in the Guinness book for 2015. I also have 1,200 model motorcycles and 200 miniature warplanes.
How many, on average, do you collect per year?
Usually around 2 to 3,000, it depends on my mood. This year wasn’t a good year, I’ve only collected 1,800 miniatures so far. You know, each piece has to be unique or it doesn’t count. No duplicates are allowed.
What’s your most prized collection of all?
My Porsche collections, definitely.
Where do you keep them?
I have a museum in Zouk Mosbeh. People like Carlos Slim and Carlos Ghosn have come. It’s open for private visits only.
What’s your real job, other than collecting toy cars and racing in rallies?
It’s kind of crazy. I’m the president on three boards and also part of the Rabieh municipality. I manage hotels and restaurants, including Hotel Le Gabriel and Chilli’s. And I have a wood factory.
Where are you on a typical day?
I’m usually between three offices - in Zouk, where the museum is, my home in Jounieh and the municipality in Rabieh. I also travel a lot for rallies because my children are abroad.
Why don’t you use your real name?
In the States, I became known as Bill or Billy for many years, so I stuck with it. I only use Nabil for work-related matters.
Do you have any regrets or is there anything you would have done differently?
Yes, if I could go back, I would want to take part in all the races I have missed and all those I didn’t win.
