I am certain that the Daily Car Blog was the first carblog/publication to feature amateur, do-it-yourself, have-a-go hero mechanic Mat Armstrong from Leicester, England. From the outset, Mat Armstrong boasted fewer than 80,000 YouTube subscribers, primarily focusing on the purchase and repair of budget-friendly, accident-damaged cars. Fast forward to today, and Armstrong has garnered a staggering 2 million followers, utilizing his newfound amateur mechanic prowess to acquire and restore high-end luxury supercars.
In a particular episode, Armstrong meticulously restores an accident damaged 2019 Aston Martin Vantage. Throughout the process, viewers gain insight into the intricacies of the car’s construction, with Armstrong disassembling it down to the wiring looms.
Despite my usual reluctance to invest three hours in a repair video, I found myself watching to the end. What sets his videos apart is the unique approach of learning alongside him, creating a video equivalent to a Haynes Manual repair book. Well, not quite, but almost.
While it’s not surprising that the Vantage houses a Mercedes engine and components, the revelation comes when Armstrong unveils the use of Citroen/Peugeot electric switches and cables by Aston Martin.
This unexpected detail adds a layer of intrigue to the repair process, unveiling the fascinating amalgamation of different automotive components in high-end vehicles.