It is with great pride that I introduce an important Italian master builder—well-known throughout Italy, the country affectionately nicknamed “the boot” (because from space, it resembles one). Davide Zen has brought the seemingly impossible to life and taken LEGO Technic to new heights. I’ve personally known Davide for many years, and he was previously featured in the Italian magazine Brick.it Magazine.

Davide Zen and his version of the A112 Abarth — Davide Zen and his version of the a112 abarth - photo from personal archive

Davide is humble, respectful, and a talented AFOL—above all, a “wizard” of LEGO Technic. He’s also a seasoned professional in the automotive world and has spent years touring LEGO User Group (LUG) events across Italy, where his work is met with admiration and acclaim. By channeling both his career and LEGO passion into his models, he’s produced legendary MOCs like the iconic Lancia Delta HF Integrale. Rally fans will recognize this car as one of the most dominant in world championships during the 1980s and ’90s, making it an icon of the Italian automotive scene.

Real Lancia Delta Versione Integrale HF — The original lancia delta hf integrale 16v evoluzione via stellantis heritage

To put it in perspective, the Delta holds a mythical status in Italy akin to the 1967 Shelby Mustang GT500 in the U.S.—even economically, in some cases. I’ve seen Davide’s MOCs in person many times, and they exude his passion. His eyes light up when he talks about LEGO. It’s a unique and enduring passion that has produced timeless creations—just like the cars they represent.

“When I Grow Up, I'll Be a Mechanic”

Anyone who meets Davide is struck by his warmth and enthusiasm. His passion is immediately evident when he starts talking about his MOCs. But to understand the builder, we first have to know the man.

Davide: “Hi BrickNerd readers, and thank you for this opportunity! I’m Davide Zen, known in the LEGO world as Zeta Racing. The name goes back to the early 2000s when I ran my own car and motorcycle workshop. ‘Zeta’ comes from my last name, Zen, and ‘Racing’ just fit with the motorsport world!”

Davide hails from Valfurva, a small village in Alta Valtellina—one of the most beautiful areas in Italy, in my opinion. His love for LEGO has become a family affair, especially with his daughter, a devoted LEGO fan who often joins him at events. Davide’s work in industrial thermoforming machinery takes him all over the world for repairs and maintenance, leaving him with limited time for building and events.

Preview of the article published on Brick.it Magazine — Preview from Brick.it Magazine – via Davide Zen and Brick.it

Davide: “I love my job—it exposes me to new realities and ways of life. But it limits my building time, and sometimes I miss events I would have liked to attend. That’s okay though—there’s always nighttime for churning out new MOCs and ideas!”

I asked Davide about his childhood LEGO memories. Like many AFOLs, his love for bricks began early—and Technic played a key role.

Davide: “LEGO was a huge part of my childhood. In the late ’70s or early ’80s, my parents gave me my first LEGO Technic set—8860. I was already drawing cars and motorcycles in kindergarten and elementary school. I even brought my builds to show classmates and teachers. I told everyone: ‘When I grow up, I’ll be a mechanic.’ And I did. LEGO Technic helped shape my career.”

It’s clear Davide’s passion runs deep. He’s never experienced a true “LEGO Dark Age.”

Davide: “I’ve never had a real Dark Age. LEGO Technic has been with me for 45 years. Sure, there have been ups and downs and work kept me busy at times, but I never gave it up.”

A Master Builder Is Born—Without Even Knowing It

As someone who never experienced a true Dark Age myself, I understand Davide’s journey. Passion like this doesn’t fade—it evolves. Over time, it stops being just a hobby and becomes a way of life. For Davide, his love for LEGO blended naturally with his career.

After completing his military service, Davide began working as a mechanic in the early 1990s. He started out at a Ducati workshop and later moved on to MV Agusta.

Davide: “There I worked on high-caliber bikes, following riders in the European Superbike Championship. I met legends like Carl Fogarty, John Kocinski, Noriyuki Haga, and Giancarlo Falappa. It was a wonderful experience.”

That decade turned Davide into a true expert in his field. Eventually, he opened his own workshop—Zeta Racing—which he successfully ran for 14 years. Afterward, he took a job in Switzerland, working once again as a car and motorcycle mechanic. While it was an enriching chapter in his career, it came with challenges—especially the long stretches away from his wife and young daughter.

Davide: “I ran the shop for 14 years, and it brought me countless satisfactions. I worked with riders racing uphill and on track, including Ducati riders—as I did myself. It was a fantastic experience. Then I had the opportunity to work in Switzerland. I was there for five years. During that time, I started a family and my daughter was born. Slowly, I began stepping away from motorsports. Times were changing, and people didn’t seem as interested in motorcycles anymore.”

Fiat Uno Turbo - Photos from personal archive.

Though Switzerland and Italy are neighbors, the distance still weighed heavily. Being away from his daughter for an entire week at a time took its toll. But Davide remained committed, pushing through the difficulty. Then, in 2014, a new opportunity came his way thanks to an engineer friend that would shape the next chapter of his life.

Davide: “And here we are today. I’ve been with this company for 11 years now, and lets say I manage a division that assembles industrial machinery. In 2019, for the plastics fair in Düsseldorf, my company commissioned me to build a full working model of our machine line entirely in LEGO Technic. You can see it on my Instagram. It includes more than 20,000 pieces, over 20 motors, and measures nearly three meters long, 50 centimeters wide, and 50 centimeters tall.”

Through all of this, Davide never stepped away from LEGO. Even before becoming a “serial builder,” those years were quietly shaping him into the master builder he is today.

“You Copied”

Now it’s time to meet Davide’s LEGO counterpart—his MOCs. His builds are incredibly detailed and faithful replicas of vintage cars, so it felt natural to ask where the idea to create them came from. More importantly, how did this passion evolve into the path he now follows? Think of it like a “sliding doors” moment—that small, pivotal decision that changed everything.

Davide: “The idea of building real-world cars in LEGO Technic started with my first MOC in 2015: the Land Rover Defender. You might ask—what does that have to do with anything? But it was key! I built the Defender without instructions, just going off what I thought I could do. My ‘mistake,’ if we can call it that, was drawing too much inspiration from photos and videos I found online.”

“I ended up creating a Defender that looked a lot like the one Sheepo had made. Visually, it was similar—but the mechanics were all my own. After I published it, the online LEGO community criticized me for copying, for claiming a design that wasn’t mine. So I stopped sharing the project. But deep down, I realized I could do it—I could build MOCs on my own. From that moment on, I made a promise to myself: I’d never ‘copy’ again. I chose my first ‘victim’ to recreate—the Lancia Delta Integrale Evo 2 and released it in 2016. Since then, every MOC I’ve made has been completely original.”

Given his background, it’s easy to see why Davide took this direction.

Davide: “I’m an unconditional lover of Italian cars. I decided to replicate the ones I knew best, the cars I drove at 18, the ones I repaired, the vehicles that made history in Italy. From the A112 Abarth to the Delta Integrale, the Uno Turbo, and the Alfa Romeos, I love them all. After I released the Delta, everything changed. And the best part? No one dared to say ‘You copied’ anymore.”

Of course, I had to ask what challenges he faced when building these intricate models. After all, these cars aren’t just vehicles—they’re cultural icons. While names like Ferrari, Lamborghini, and Maserati may be globally recognized, Italy’s automotive heritage includes a range of beloved “people’s cars” that hold just as much emotional weight. Davide has turned these legends into true LEGO masterpieces.

Davide: “As I said, my first MOC was the Defender. But the Lancia Delta Integrale was the one that defined my style and crowned my modus operandi. It was my first model completely from scratch, and of course there were challenges. I had a clear vision: it had to be fully functional, with everything from a 5-speed gearbox and reverse gear to working brakes. The toughest part was making sure it matched the real car as closely as possible. For example, if the brake calipers on the actual car were positioned toward the front of the disc, then mine had to be there too. Every detail mattered.”

Fiat 500 Abarth - Photos from personal archive

It’s completely normal to face difficulties with a first original model, especially when the goal is as ambitious as Davide’s. He had a clear benchmark in mind: a high level of technical and structural accuracy that he would not compromise on.

Davide: “For the Delta, it took about a year from the initial concept to the finished model. Now, when I commit to a new project, I can usually complete it in about two months.”

“It's Always a Challenge”

As you can see from the photos Davide generously shared, the level of craftsmanship in his MOCs is exceptionally high. When I first met him in person at the 2018 ItLUG event in Lecco—Italy’s most prominent LEGO convention—I was immediately captivated by his creations. Naturally, I had plenty of questions, many of which I revisited during this interview to better understand his creative process.

From choosing a design—whether using CAD software like Studio or building directly by hand—to the techniques he used, and the challenges he faces along the way, Davide had no shortage of insights to share.

Davide: “The creative spark for my MOCs always comes from a car that has a story, usually something I experienced during my youth. I mostly build Italian cars from around 30 or 35 years ago, from an era I personally lived through. That gives me a lot of freedom, since it’s rare for other builders to tackle these models. Most focus on internationally famous supercars. I prefer everyday classics—cars that may have won races, but more importantly, were driven by regular people. They’re not as flashy as a Ferrari or Lamborghini, but they mean a lot to many of us.”

Ferrari F40 - Photos from personal archive

Once he selects a subject, Davide researches its details (dimensions, proportions, features) and then begins the build. He’s an old-school builder and doesn’t use digital design tools like Studio, not out of principle, but simply because he’s never tried them. Instead, he works hands-on with the brick. Little by little, checking the photos he retrieves from various angles, he works freehand. He disassembles and rebuilds repeatedly until he lands on the form he’s aiming for.

Davide: “The techniques I use to build my basic cars are personal and have evolved through lots of trial and error. They’ve become perfectly suited to my needs. My front and rear axles, for example, are custom-designed to allow for the features I want. I’ve also developed many other elements that I regularly incorporate. The hardest part is always the bodywork—capturing the curves and lines of a real car is extremely difficult. That’s the part that challenges me every single time.”

“45 Years of Building LEGO Sets Teaches You a Lot”

n the heart of every Italian, beyond the global fame of brands like Ferrari, there’s a deep affection for manufacturers such as Lancia, Fiat, and Alfa Romeo. These are the people’s cars—the ones Davide rightfully calls “popular.” They’ve shaped Italy’s automotive history, and certain models have become true icons. Among them, the Lancia Delta HF Integrale stands above the rest. Davide has mentioned it several times already, and for good reason: it’s his most iconic build. Naturally, we asked him to tell us more about it.

Davide: “The Lancia Delta was born from a desire to create something entirely my own—something that didn’t already exist in the LEGO panorama. I chose it because it’s a car that I have lived, one I know inside and out. I’ve driven it, repaired it, and they were everywhere where I lived, especially in the mountains where four-wheel drive is essential. Being my first real MOC, building it wasn’t easy. I was still a beginner working on an original project from scratch. But as I always say, 45 years of building LEGO sets teaches you a lot. I know every piece by heart now, and I understand how to use them—even in unexpected ways.”

Alfa Romeo 155V6 Ti - Photos from personal archive

Davide is deeply connected to this model, and it’s easy to understand why. Like many of us, each of his MOCs tells a story, but the Lancia Delta holds special meaning. It’s tied to memories, milestones, and even moments of personal recognition. One of his proudest achievements is receiving an autograph from Miki Biasion, the legendary rally champion who helped make the Delta famous.

Davide: “All of the cars I’ve built hold emotional value for me. I lived through their era and experienced them all when I was a new driver. I remember the A112 Abarth, the Uno Turbo. My friends had them, and they’re etched in my memory. Over the years, I’ve also had some very satisfying experiences. I collaborated with Eugenio Amos on the Delta Futurista, and we created a set that was sold through his official store. I’ve also worked with Miki Biasion (whose autograph I have on the hood of my first Delta) and with Tiziano Siviero on sets produced for the Italian group ACOL.”

His collaborations don’t end there.

Davide: “With ACOL, we also created a set of the Alfa Romeo 155V6 Ti, driven by Alessandro Nannini and Nicola Larini, two legendary drivers. Right now, I’m working with the Italian company TOTEM Automobili. I built a replica of their Giulia GT Electric in LEGO. And there are more surprises on the way.”

Galleries, from above: Lancia Delta Futurista and ACOL version, Alfa Romeo Giulia GT Electric.

“My DNA Is Always on Cars”

While Davide’s passion clearly centers around cars, he’s also ventured into more unconventional territory. Among his MOCs are tributes to two other Italian legends: the Saltafoss bike and a snowmobile—vehicles that might seem surprising but still connect to his personal history.

Davide: “Let’s say yes—officially, I build cars. But the Saltafoss and the BMX I recreated came from childhood memories. My brother owned a Saltafoss—it was an icon at the time. One night, I thought, ‘Why not try to replicate it in LEGO Technic?’ And that same night, both the Saltafoss and the BMX were born. They started as jokes, but the Saltafoss eventually became an official set for the brand’s Facebook page, with support from Paolo Ceriani—the original creator of the legendary bike.”

His latest build? A snowmobile. Something Davide had been imagining for quite some time.

Davide: “That was an idea I had been thinking about for a long time. These vehicles fascinate me because they’re not your typical construction equipment. You don’t often see them unless you ski or work in the mountains. I’ve had the chance to work on them and even try them myself. I’ve also visited the companies that manufacture them—they’re incredible machines. I felt they deserved a place in my world of vehicles. Building it wasn’t too difficult—when you know how to use Technic parts and have a clear idea, you always find a solution. But I think that’ll be the only one. My DNA is always on cars.”

Talent reveals itself, even outside one’s usual lane. And Davide’s results, even in unfamiliar territory, are impressive. Still, I asked him whether he’s ever been tempted to build traditional System-style MOCs.

Davide: “First of all, with System bricks I can’t add mechanical movement—Technic lets you go wild with that. And second, to make something really spectacular in System, you’d have to build at a 1:1 scale.”

Davide is nothing if not committed—and it shows. He’s devoted himself fully to LEGO Technic, and the results are stunning. But there was still one important question I hadn’t asked yet—something that every AFOL, at some point, has to consider: How does your family feel about your passion? In Davide’s case, the answer was wonderful.

Davide: “My family supports me completely. They understood my potential early on, and I’ve had a clear path ever since. My wife helps a lot, sometimes with ideas, sometimes with advice. And my daughter? She’s even more into it than I am! She’s started making her own MOCs based on real-life experiences, celebrities, and her own passions, just like I do with cars. I also have several new projects in mind and a few exciting collaborations coming up. But I’ll leave those as a surprise. And lastly, I want to thank you, Mirko, for this beautiful interview. I’m truly honored.”

And with that, Davide Zen—aka Zeta Racing—signs off with a heartfelt goodbye to all BrickNerd readers. It’s been a true pleasure introducing this remarkable builder to the wider AFOL world.

Davide himself — Davide zen - photo from personal archive

Davide’s Legacy

It’s truly an honor to finally introduce you to Davide—a dear friend I’ve known for years, and someone who never fails to leave me speechless. His MOCs are filled with passion—for cars, for his craft, and for LEGO. No detail is overlooked. Each build is a singular work of art and a testament to what LEGO Technic can achieve. In this way, Davide is a true master builder—one who has steadily refined his skills to reach the highest levels of a discipline that is often overlooked by many AFOLs.

Davide also experienced his own personal Sliding Doors moment—one that could have led him away from the world of MOCs. That first project, and the harsh criticism that followed, might have discouraged anyone else. But Davide turned that experience into motivation. It became the catalyst that propelled him forward—ultimately earning him a place among in the Olympus of LEGO builders.

I hope his story and his creations serve as a powerful source of inspiration for young AFOLs, for seasoned builders, and for anyone curious about LEGO Technic or more generally the world of LEGO. Inspiring others to build, create, and tinker—that’s the real engine behind Davide’s work.

You can find Davide on Instagram.

What other Italian builders do you want to know? Let us know in the comments below!

Do you want to help BrickNerd continue publishing articles like this one? Become a top patron like Marc & Liz Puleo, Paige Mueller, Rob Klingberg from Brickstuff, John & Joshua Hanlon from Beyond the Brick, Megan Lum, Andy Price, Lukas Kurth from StoneWars, Wayne Tyler, Dan Church, and Roxanne Baxter to show your support, get early access, exclusive swag and more