Since 1869, and tracing assets back to 1827, this is where opulent and armored treasures on wheels are born.
Riga endured history’s triumphs and nightmares. Our ancestors’ factory was destroyed, evacuated, and bombed during world wars.
In 1988, Leonard F. Yankelovich, great-grandson of an RBVZ minority shareholder, revived the legend from the ashes - inheriting forty shares, and within them, the Soul and the Spirit of the factory, as nothing else remained from one of Europe’s most powerful industrial giants.
The Soul became our backbone. The Spirit became our brand identity. Fueled by the Soul of Fighters and the Spirit of Victors, DARTZ revived the legacy and fame of our ancestors.
Royal opulence driven by centuries. For four decades, DARTZ has fought and conquered, standing as the one and only privately and personally owned Carrosserie and Citadelle de l’Opulence - held by its legal inheritor and carrying nearly two centuries of heritage.
DARTZ - IT ALL BEGAN IN RIGA, 1869. WE CONTINUE THE LEGACY.
Born big - as RBVZ Joint Venture, established in 1869 in Riga. A German-Dutch Royal Train Coach creator.
In 1909, RBVZ gave birth to its first car - and was producing more cars than Bugatti in the early 20th century.
Under the legendary Igor Sikorsky, we took to the skies in 1911.
Armored cars hit the roads in 1912, and - some still debate it - the world’s first tank may have been born here.
In 1910, RBVZ acquired FRESE & Co, an EV car maker with roots dating back to 1827, which launched its first electric car in 1902.
Our ancestors’ factory was destroyed by the October Junta in 1917.
But in 1988, from the ashes of history - out of nothing but memories - the great-grandson of a minority shareholder, Leonard F. Yankelovich, revived the legacy. Having trained as an engineer-mechanic and served as a propeller-grenade operator and infantry sergeant after graduating from military college, Leonard, together with friends with real combat experience, began armoring cars. This was how passion united with legacy, strengthened by hard-earned life experience. This was how a true legend was reborn: a factory with over two centuries of history. A journey that had all begun in the 19th century.
Since 1988, DARTZ has remained a personally and privately owned carrosserie, committed to a personal approach and responsibility. Here, you won't deal with transient managers holding titles like CEO or CFO. Instead, you'll engage directly with DARTZ RFE - Responsible For Everything - or as he's affectionately known in the industry, the Lunatic In Chief, a moniker bestowed by Jalopnik. Additionally, Leonard F. Yankelovich, the visionary behind DARTZ, was humorously honored with the title of Supreme Leader by the Admiral General Haffaz Aladeen, the satirical dictator from the film The Dictator.
DARTZ - WHO DO YOU THINK WE ARE
Being in the shadow of the world press for two decades, DARTZ made a loud “coming out” in 2008. Since then, there have been many versions about the company’s origin, ownership, and even its business. Perhaps it’s time to set the record straight.
DARTZ is best known for its cars, which the press calls whatever they want - and they’re right. They’re double right.
But DARTZ Grupa is more than just DARTZ Motorz, the most shiny, loud, and screaming diamond in the DARTZ crown. Yet, DARTZ Motorz is not the only diamond - and here’s where we tell you more.
The press often calls us "tuners," and in a way, they’re right. In the early days, we balanced armor plating with spoilers, wings, fenders, and leather interiors. But that was over three decades ago. And that's transformed in what we do now.
We call ourselves a Carrosserie - a word with history and meaning. Carrosserie (French) or Karosserie (German) proudly signifies a coachbuilder. This isn’t just about legacy; it’s about identity. We personally love Karrozzerie - as all what we do, we do different.
At DARTZ, we honor this tradition. We are not mere assemblers; we are artisans, creating vehicles that are as much about style and luxury as they are about strength and security. Our commitment to the craft of coachbuilding is unwavering, and our vehicles stand as a testament to that dedication.
So, while we may have started as tuners, we have long since evolved. We are DARTZ - a modern-day Carrosserie, blending tradition with innovation to create vehicles as unique as our clients.