A Restoration Odyssey.
When Marcus Rashford’s Mansory-tuned Rolls-Royce Wraith Black Badge was written off after a rainy night crash, few expected to see it on the road again. But in early 2024, after the wreck was auctioned off by insurance, YouTuber Mat Armstrong placed the winning bid, committing to a challenging restoration journey. His investment of £185,000 (around $233,000) seemed a bargain compared to Rashford’s initial price of £750,000. Yet, the cost of restoring the heavily customized car, originally designed by high-end tuning firm Mansory, quickly added up.
Starting with a car that wouldn’t even start, Mat’s project demanded extensive repairs, including sourcing original Rolls-Royce and Mansory parts. He even purchased another Rolls-Royce Wraith as a donor car. After months of work and a small fortune spent, Mat finally restored the luxury car to running condition. But just as he celebrated his hard work, he received an unexpected invitation from Kourosh Mansory, the founder of Mansory, who wanted to see the car in person.
Mat embarked on a memorable road trip from Spain to Germany, stopping at places like the Circuito de Navarra in northern Spain to test the Wraith’s track performance. The journey wasn’t without mishaps, from air suspension issues to a dented rear fender after a stop in Monaco. Nevertheless, Mat and his team pressed on, experiencing everything from racetrack thrills to an impromptu night at the casino.
Upon reaching Mansory’s headquarters, Mat discovered that his efforts, while admirable, fell short of the tuning firm’s high standards. Kourosh pointed out misalignments, missing badges, and styling details that didn’t meet the original specs. Over the next day, Mansory’s team meticulously addressed these issues, adding signature wheels and fine-tuning every detail. Despite his concerns over the potential cost, Mat received his Rolls-Royce back with Mansory’s finishing touches—a “gift” he couldn’t resist, even if he knew it came at a price.
For Mat, the experience was priceless. After countless hours of work, a cross-country journey, and memories made with family and friends, the car had become more than just a project. It was now a personal treasure that he had no intention of parting with, not even to Mansory themselves. His labor of love now complete, Mat drives away in a Rolls-Royce that bears not just the scars of restoration, but the stories and memories that make it truly one-of-a-kind.
