Mat Armstrong finally meets one of the Bugatti team face-to-face in California to try and secure the parts he needs for his Chiron rebuild
Published on Aug 18, 2026 at 4:05 PM (UTC+4)
by Henry Kelsall
Last updated on Aug 18, 2026 at 4:05 PM (UTC+4)
Edited by
Henry Kelsall
Mat Armstrong has finally met one of the Bugatti team face-to-face, as he tries to get more parts for his Chiron hypercar rebuild.
The YouTuber and supercar enthusiast has been trying for ages to get parts for the Chiron, with Bugatti initially denying him via official channels.
It has led to an unusual standoff at times on social media and in the motoring press, but a recent meeting helped alleviate some of the tension.
In fact, it sounds as if the car company may well help Mat get the parts he needs.
How the conversation with Bugatti went for Mat Armstrong
On a recent trip to Monaco, Armstrong tried stopping at the Bugatti factory in Molsheim, in the north of the country, but it was shut and there was no one there.
But now, Armstrong has been able to meet with Alexis from Bugatti at Monterey Car Week.
He was the man behind some of the earlier contact he has had with the supercar manufacturer.
“We are at the Bugatti house,” said Armstrong as he introduced Alexis to the viewers.
Armstrong immediately quashed the stories that he and the company hated each other.
“People think that Bugatti hates us, but they don’t,” said the YouTuber.
In fact, Armstrong revealed that he and his team are firmly part of the Bugatti family.
The YouTuber is set to visit the company’s HQ in Molsheim for another meeting regarding parts for the Chiron.
One of these is a windshield for the supercar, something that the car needs given the damage it received.
The saga surrounding the Bugatti Chiron
It is fair to say that the whole saga has become very well known in the automotive world.
The car was bought by Armstrong from fellow content creator Alex Gonzalez after it was involved in a huge accident.
It was officially written off and given a salvage title before the YouTuber bought it.
Hopes of getting parts from the manufacturer were dashed after they locked the VIN, with CEO Mate Rimac even wading in.
That led to a lot of discussion about spare parts, after Armstrong hinted he might 3D print some.
“There’s been a lot of talk about Bugatti service, repair, and maintenance costs online, and most of what you hear is simply not true,” Rimac said.
That didn’t stop Armstrong, who was able to get the Chiron fired up again.
Now, it looks like he may get more official support from the manufacturer.
Bugatti timeline
1909: Italian-born designer Ettore founds his eponymous automaker in Molsheim, Alsace – then part of the German Empire, now France
1924: The company introduces the Type 35, which goes on to become one of the most successful racing cars in history
1936: Production begins on the Type 57SC Atlantic, an automotive masterpiece designed by Ettore’s son, Jean
1939: Tragedy strikes when Jean dies in a testing accident, plunging the marque into a decline worsened by the outbreak of WWII
1947: The founding father passes away, and without a clear successor, the original company eventually ceases operations
1987: Italian entrepreneur Romano Artioli acquires the dormant brand rights, builds a new factory, and later launches the EB110 supercar
1998: The Volkswagen Group purchases the rights to the name, returning the automaker to its original home in Molsheim, France
2005: The Veyron 16.4 is launched, shattering automotive records and becoming the world’s fastest production car
2021: The brand enters a joint venture with Croatian electric hypercar maker Rimac to pioneer an electrified future
Henry joined the Supercar Blondie team in February 2025, and since then has covered a wide array of topics ranging from EVs, American barn finds, and the odd Cold War jet. He’s combined his passion for cars with his keen interest in motorsport and his side hustle as a volunteer steam locomotive fireman at a heritage steam railway.
