The Journey of Matador HQ
My personal journey with the Matador began long before the business itself. I first encountered one at the age of 13, and the impression clearly stayed with me. On 18th October 1997, aged just 18, I bought my first Matador for £200 using my very first pay cheque. It was a completely derelict Matador, but it marked the beginning of a long-term commitment. What followed was a decade-long restoration, learning new skills & hunting for Matador spares.
At the same time, I was building a career in the high-pressure world of Formula One engineering, working hard and travelling extensively. Despite this, the Matador remained a constant presence. Even with a busy professional life, I continued restoring the vehicle in my spare time and regularly took it to rallies, keeping both the Matador and its history alive.
The turning point came in 2018. Facing redundancy from my role in Formula One, I was presented with a choice: return to a familiar career path or take a risk on something more personal. Choosing the latter, I launched what would later become Matador HQ in 2019.
Like many small family-run businesses, growth came steadily rather than overnight. I travelled extensively across the UK sourcing Matador parts & vehicles, often from private collections, scrap yards, and hard-to-find locations.
Each acquisition added not only to stock, but also to a growing depth of knowledge about the vehicles themselves, their quirks, variations, and the realities of keeping them operational decades after they were built.
This gradual accumulation of parts and expertise led to the establishment of a dedicated workshop, serving as a central hub for sales, restoration and repair. From here, Matador HQ began to take shape as a fully functioning business, offering both practical services and specialist support to customers across the UK and beyond.
While the Matador remains at the heart of the operation, the nature of the business has expanded. Work now includes buses and other AEC vehicles, alongside a broader range of engineering services. Decisions, such as gaining a HGV licence, have enabled further growth, allowing for greater flexibility in transporting vehicles and supporting larger-scale projects.
Alongside its hands-on engineering work, Matador HQ has embraced modern ways of engaging with its audience. Through social media platforms, Facebook content, and branded merchandise, the business has developed a strong and growing following. These channels not only showcase ongoing projects but also help preserve and promote the legacy of these historic vehicles to a new generation of enthusiasts.
In recent years, our work with AEC buses and trucks has grown considerably, reflecting increasing demand for specialist support in this area. What began with the supply of spare parts has developed into a much broader service offering, including full engine overhauls, vehicle services, compressor rebuilds, the provision of new engine components, braking and transmission spares. This allows us to offer a comprehensive service that meets a wide range of customer needs.
Looking ahead, the focus is firmly on continued growth. Plans are already in place for a redesigned website, including an online store to make merchandise and commonly requested parts more accessible to customers.
At the same time, efforts will continue to expand stock and explore new ways of re-producing hard to find components, ensuring these vehicles remain not just preserved, but operational for years to come.
