The Story Behind RZ
"There is no one like you. There has never been anyone like you. There shall never be anyone like you. Therefore, know yourself, be yourself. Authenticity is everything"
André De Shields
My story begins not in a workshop, but on the floor of my childhood room. When I was seven years old, my father, a professional driver, would return from each trip with a new 1:43 scale model for my collection. Soon, my shelves were filled with a diverse garage of passenger cars, rally legends, and sports cars—each a small, metal treasure.
It wasn’t long before collecting turned into creating. I began modifying them, hand-crafting aerodynamic parts, applying custom decals, and experimenting with paint. It was my first taste of bringing a personal vision to life.
Throughout my childhood, I held onto one specific dream: to own a true radio-controlled car. It was a dream that felt a world away in the Soviet Union of the late 1980s, where such things were impossibly rare and expensive.
Years later, after moving to America, a simple moment on a beach—watching a boy with his RC car—reignited that childhood dream with overwhelming force. The difference was, now I could make it a reality.
My journey into high-performance RC began with a birthday gift for my daughter. I bought a simple truck, but the perfectionist in me couldn't leave it alone. Before gifting it, I sourced a high-end, pink Traxxas E-Revo body, meticulously adapted it to the chassis, and fitted it with matching wheels. Seeing the final result, I felt a profound sense of satisfaction. My interest was no longer just a memory; it was a renewed passion.
The true turning point came when I decided to build a 1:10 scale version of my own first Audi, an RS2 Avant. Sourcing the body, chassis, and components was a thrill, but the real magic happened during the build. The process of cutting the body, laying down perfect coats of paint, and customizing every decal and license plate was a direct return to my childhood obsession, but on an entirely new level.
The difference? These models weren't just static. They came to life. The ability to build a perfect creation and then command it with a controller was an electrifying experience that a stationary model could never offer.
As a lifelong perfectionist, each new build became a canvas. I focused on the Audi brand I loved, honing my skills to create flawless, intricate builds of real-world cars, from racing icons to rally legends. My garage became my studio. After a friend saw my collection and the obsessive detail in my work, he insisted I share it online.
The response was something I never anticipated. Soon, requests began coming in from enthusiasts around the world, asking for custom builds—some to replicate their own personal cars, others simply to own a unique piece for their collection.
And so, RZ Cars—named from my own initials—was born.
For me, the ultimate satisfaction comes from the moment a client unboxes their commission. Seeing their passion reflected in a piece I’ve poured my own into is the reason I do this.
This journey, born from a childhood dream, is one I'm honored to share with fellow enthusiasts. I invite you to explore the Collection to see my latest work, or to begin the conversation about creating a masterpiece of your own.
By Ramil Zinnatullin