Mat Armstrong is a famous self-taught car restorer, British YouTuber and content creator who is known for buying crashed, salvage-title supercars and exotic vehicles and rebuilding them from the ground up on camera. A full-time content creator and fantastic car enthusiast.
Mat sources written-off high-end cars then documents the entire repair process — stripping damaged panels, sourcing replacement parts, performing bodywork and mechanical fixes, and finally road-testing the finished build!
Our Partnership With Mat
This July, Mat started his first Ferrari project. He bought a crash rental Ferrari F430 Coupe to rebuild and bring back to its former glory.
As the ongoing project continues, we’ve been able to help him source and secure vital original spares needed for the project as well as an epic sounding Capristo exhaust system. We can’t wait for the project to be completed & see the car back on the road sounding amazing!
Early life and upbringing
Born on June 11th 1993, Leicester, England, Mat Armstrong’s journey into the world of cars began early in his hometown. Raised by his father Tony Armstrong, a skilled mechanic, and stepmother Karen, Mat absorbed the art of car repair from an early age, igniting a lifelong passion in tuning products and supercar modifications.
YOUTUBE CHANNEL, BMX AND CARS PASSION
On April 7th, 2013, Mat launched his eponymous YouTube channel, which was initially an outlet for his BMX prowess – a hobbyist’s endeavour to share videos with fellow enthusiasts and potential sponsors.
However, during the qualification round at the BMX World Championships, Mat suffered a dislocated shoulder while executing a 720 tailwhip. Despite qualifying in 16th place, he was unable to complete the competition due to the injury. The shoulder problem persisted, causing it to occasionally dislocate during his sleep. This ongoing issue ultimately compelled Mat to make the difficult decision to retire from his BMX career.
That’s when Mat’s love for cars soon took centre stage, transforming his channel into a hub for automotive enthusiasts. From his youth, Mat was a bona fide petrol head, revelling in the intricacies of car mechanics. His aspiration was clear: to build savings through various hobbies, invest in properties, and ultimately transition into a life of full-time automotive tinkering and BMX adventures.
Property and channel growth
At just 21, Mat bought his first project house, envisaging a process of refurbishment, refinancing, and lucrative rentals. This venture was followed by several more successful property acquisitions, yet despite these attempts, it became apparent that Mat’s true calling lay elsewhere. While juggling positions at a motor tuning and food delivery business, he devoted his spare moments to revitalising not just his own vehicles, but those of friends as well.
Mat’s passion for video production blossomed alongside his growing YouTube channel, even as he balanced multiple hobbies. He fervently taught himself the ins and outs of car repair, mastering the intricacies of vehicle restoration, but a pivotal moment arrived when his girlfriend’s Audi TT met an unfortunate accident, then Mat purchased the salvaged vehicle for a mere £600 from the insurance company. This marked the start of his salvage rebuild projects.
At first, Mat’s YouTube presence was inconsistent before he achieved monetisation. However, once he gained this status, he became dedicated to a regular video schedule. The pivotal moment came when renowned automotive journalist Richard Hammond reacted to one of Mat’s cars, catapulting the channel’s growth.
Another turning point came with a Bentley video that secured Mat’s first high-profile sponsorship. However, even as he resumed his responsibilities with his day jobs, Mat found himself increasingly drawn to his glowing YouTube career. In time, the earnings from his channel eclipsed that of his conventional income, prompting a life-altering decision.
Full time content creator
At the close of 2019, Mat bid farewell to his longstanding jobs, choosing to embark on a full-time career as a YouTuber. He celebrated this milestone by buying a Mercedes-Benz AMG A45, embarking on a spirited road trip to the illustrious city of Monaco in his cherished Bentley.
As of September 2023, Mat commands an impressive audience with 1.79 million subscribers on his main YouTube channel, accompanied by a substantial following of 305,000 on Instagram and 402,000 on Facebook. Mat’s income streams are diversified, including revenue from video ads, merchandise sales, sponsorships, and affiliate marketing. Beyond his primary channel, Mat oversees three additional ones: ‘Mat Armstrong MK2‘, ‘Mat Armstrong Shorts‘, and ‘Mat Armstrong ES‘.
Presently, Mat’s channel thrives as a platform for showcasing his enthralling journeys in car rebuilding and tinkering, a testament to his unwavering dedication to the automotive realm.
Mat Armstrong’s cars
Now, let’s talk cars. Mat’s first car was a 1993 Ford Fiesta Mk3, marking the beginning of his automotive journey. Among the multitude of vehicles he has encountered, the Bentley Continental GT holds a special place as his favourite car, while his preferred rebuild project is the Volkswagen Golf.
Mat’s deep admiration for German engineering is evident in his work, as he frequently delves into repairs and modifications for luxury cars such as Maserati, Bentley, Audi and Mercedes-Benz showcasing his passion for precision and craftsmanship in the automotive world.
Frequently Asked Questions
HOW MAT TURNED HIS HOBBY INTO A BUSINESS?
In episodic videos on his YouTube channel and other social platforms. Starting from a more modest background in cars and trading, he turned his hobby into a business, growing into one of the most recognised names in the “supercar rebuild” niche, alongside running related ventures tied to his channel and the cars he restores.
HOW MUCH DID MAT PAY FOR HIS ASTON MARTIN REPAIR?
Armstrong made a reasonable investment of £54,000, roughly equivalent to $62,000. This becomes even more impressive considering that Classic, a trusted source for used car valuations, reports the average sale price of a third-generation Vantage to be north of $174,000.
HOW MUCH DID MAT PAY FOR HIS PORSCHE 718 CAYMAN?
Armstrong acquired his Porsche 718 Cayman S for £18,500 in a very poor condition, which was the cheapest of its model available at the time. He proceeded to spend three months tuning and fixing up the car, to the point where it was road legal again.
HOW MUCH DID MAT PAY FOR HIS PORSCHE GT3?
Mat Armstrong made a $160,000 investment in a Porsche GT3 that was previously owned and crashed by YouTuber Adam LZ.
WHERE IS MAT ARMSTRONG FROM?
Mat Armstrong is from Leicester, UK, where he was born and raised.
HOW OLD IS MAT ARMSTRONG?
Mat Armstrong was born on June 11th, 1993, making him 30 years old as of 2023.
WHERE IS MAT ARMSTRONG’S GARAGE?
His garage is located in Leicester, England.
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