Rebuilding a supercar is never an easy task and even those who are in the business sometimes take a hit. If only there were a way to learn from their mistakes so we can all enjoy, say, Italian exotics without having to pay extra for an adventure that’s already heavy on the wallet. If these are your thoughts, we’ve got just the thing for you, so welcome to British vlogger and mechanic Mat Armstrong’s first Ferrari rebuild, which involves an F430 with a gated manual! Considering how many Ferrari owners install gated manual conversion kits these days, having three pedals from the factory is a big deal in terms of both driving experience and price.
A few years ago, Mat Armstrong landed on social media while fixing his girlfriend’s Audi TT helped by his dad and he hasn’t looked back since. Come to think of it, there were plenty of occasions to quit this risky business.
For instance, his most complex adventure to date, which he recently completed—rebuilding a manual Lamborghini Murcielago—saw the YouTuber getting scammed (his words) by a British supercar track experience company. He paid them £100,000 ($126,851) while the company agreed to pay for any missing part, as the vehicle had its engine and gearbox out.
However, not only did the specialist “forget” that promise, but Mat also discovered the V12 engine had been poorly disassembled, while the car had been in an accident.
Mat’s MO involves buying (some of) the cheapest go-fast vehicles on the market, fitting these with original and custom parts, and then having them inspected by a dealer belonging to the respective automaker’s network to ensure they are safe to drive on the road. The Murcielago is an exception, though, as he intends to keep the Raging Bull, even after rebuilding it and taking the Lambo to the 2023 Gumball Rally led to mechanical trouble.
Given the said history, it wouldn’t seem right for Mat Armstrong to source his first-ever Ferrari from the track experience company that scammed him on the Murcielago, right?
Well, the Ferrari F430 was actually brought by a trio of YouTubers including Sam from Hard Up Garage, Scott, and Freddy Hernandez aka Tavarish—the latter welcomed Mat into his shop in America when Armstrong fixed Adam LZ’s crashed 992 Porsche 911 GT3.
Mat Armstrong only paid £60,000 ($76,110) for his manual Ferrari F430
Mat Armstrong then bought the manual 2011 Ferrari F430 from the guys for £60,000 ($76,110), which is a world below the normal price for such a Prancing Horse. For instance, the YouTuber only found one such Ferrari in the UK, with this being listed at £99,000 ($125,582).
However, as Mat describes it, his Ferrari is a lemon. For starters, the 4.3L V8 engine can’t make its usual 483 hp and 343 lb-ft of torque because… it’s in pieces. Also, upon opening up the engine, the vlogger discovered issues like a scored cylinder and worn bearings that could indicate issues related to oil starvation.
On the flip side, Tavarish had agreed to give Mat an F430 engine for free. And while the latter discovered the American-delivered V8 had a bent conrod—probably a sign of hydrolocking—he is now attempting to build a functional engine from the two broken ones in his shop.
Still, Mat Armstrong’s Ferrari F430 only has 32,338 miles on the clock (it’s covered just 1,200miles since 2011), so once he gets it fixed, the mid-engined coupe should have serious value.