If you’re a classic car enthusiast, you know that restoring vintage vehicles is a combination of art, science, and passion. It’s about preserving history while breathing life into timeless machines. No one understands this better than Matt Backhaus, owner of StreetWorks Exotics in Pewaukee, Wisconsin. Recently, renowned automotive historian and photographer Winston Goodfellow paid a visit to StreetWorks to uncover the stories, challenges, and secrets behind some of their most iconic restoration projects.
The Stories Behind the Steel
From an award-winning De Tomaso Mangusta to rare gems like the Maserati Sebring and Lamborghini Islero, every car restored at StreetWorks Exotics has a story waiting to be told. Join us alongside this car restoration video to explore the vibrant world of classic sportscar restoration and learn what it takes to transform “basket cases” into concours-ready masterpieces.
The De Tomaso Mangusta: A Showstopper’s Journey

DeTomaso Mangusta Restoration
The first car in focus was a stunning De Tomaso Mangusta—a vehicle that secured the prestigious Best of Show award at the 2017 Concorso Italiano in Pebble Beach. Backhaus explained that this Mangusta had been restored at StreetWorks Exotics to a high level of authenticity and finesse. With its sleek lines and mid-engine design, the Mangusta was a symbol of innovation in the late 1960s. However, many of these cars have aged poorly, suffering from rust, neglect, and mechanical wear.
Originally restored at a leisurely pace based on the owner’s timeline, the Mangusta demonstrates Matt’s commitment to aligning every project with a client’s needs. Whether a collector wants swift completion or prefers the restoration to unfold gradually, StreetWorks excels at balancing flexibility and precision.
This philosophy of tailored restoration is especially important when handling rare models with intricate production histories, like the Mangusta’s Giorgetto Giugiaro-inspired design. It’s a level of respect for history that sets StreetWorks apart in the niche but fiercely competitive restoration world.
Matt and his team embraced the challenge, sourcing original parts from across the globe and using custom fabrication to replicate missing components. The result? A show-stopping Mangusta that has captured awards at top-tier Concours events.
A Lamborghini Islero with Sizzling Style
Another special vehicle that caught Winston’s eye was the Lamborghini Islero S. Painted in a rare and mesmerizing Pinot Verde shade, this model radiates timeless charm. Restoring this gem required sourcing original parts from Italy and addressing decades of wear. “Lamborghinis of this era are notoriously difficult to restore, but that’s what makes it so rewarding,” says Matt. The Islero arrived at StreetWorks in rough condition, requiring extensive coachwork and refinishing. It ended as a stunning daily driver that blends vintage aesthetics with modern functionality.
What makes this Islero truly remarkable, apart from its deep green paint, is its velour-trimmed interior. Unique to the S edition, this detail was executed flawlessly by the team’s upholstery shop, proof of the meticulous craftsmanship that defines their work.
Winston Goodfellow reflected on the Islero’s practicality compared to other Lamborghini models, even noting that it would make for a surprisingly comfortable everyday car. For collectors seeking a head-turning vintage car with drivability, models like this Islero represent a perfect balance between sophistication and usability.
The Maserati Sebring Saga
Restoring a car like this requires sleuthing and patience, as restorers play detective to track down elusive components while fabricating what no longer exists. “Sometimes, you don’t realize parts are missing until you start fitting things together,” Backhaus explained.
Though this Sebring isn’t the most complicated car in the workshop, its restoration is a study in balancing historical accuracy and modern techniques. The goal is to uphold the car’s intrinsic character while addressing practical concerns for modern drivability.
Restoration Fit for a Prince
Perhaps one of the more fascinating vehicles in the shop is a Maserati Sebring reportedly ordered by a Saudi prince. Only three of its kind were produced. This particular Sebring has traveled an unusual path, passing through the hands of Maserati royalty and collectors before landing at auction, where its current owner acquired it.
Still in the early stages of restoration, the Sebring poses unique challenges. The team at StreetWorks is carefully documenting every detail, from the original trim to the V8 engine, ensuring that the car’s historical accuracy is maintained without compromising its roadworthiness. Matt shared his realistic timeline for completion—next year’s Monterey Car Week—a level of transparency appreciated by clients who crave precision without surprises.
The Maserati Bora: Fixing an Unreliable Beauty
From a design standpoint, the Maserati Bora is nothing short of mesmerizing, but this particular example had proven frustrating for its owner, a local gentleman frustrated by the vehicle repeatedly breaking down. The team at StreetWorks Exotics dove into the underlying issues—addressing wiring, hydraulic systems, and engine troubles to restore its performance.
Backhaus emphasized the car’s transformation from a series of persistent headaches to a reliable masterpiece. “Our goal is to get this car back on the road by summer, ready for the owner to enjoy it fully.”
The Iso Grifo Class Winner
A highlight of the restoration stories was an Iso Grifo that had earned second place at the Pebble Beach car show in 2021. Restoring this car to its original automotive excellence involved rebuilding its damaged front end, which, at some point in the 1970s, had been incorrectly replaced with a nose from a later series. Using a custom-built buck, StreetWorks crafted a historically accurate replacement, ensuring the car’s return to its original form.
For Backhaus, authenticity is paramount. Whether it’s ensuring a car has the correct engine with matching serial numbers or adhering to original design principles, every detail is scrutinized. For this Iso Grifo, the restoration process extended to incorporating period-correct date-coded parts, a requirement for show-worthy competition at Monterey’s Concorso Italiano or The Quail Motorsports Gathering.
The Maserati Mexico Mishap Rescue
Matt and his team are no strangers to challenges. Some cars arrive in pieces or with shoddy prior repairs, requiring a complete teardown and rebuild. One standout example is a Maserati Mexico that was brought to the shop after suffering poor workmanship at a collision repair shop.
“We had to remake the entire bottom of the car,” Matt shares. “It was filled with Bondo and in bad shape. The owner, who had worked on it himself for years, trusted us to get it sorted out and return it to its former glory.”
Stories like this are common at StreetWorks, where every restoration is a labor of love and attention to detail is paramount. (Read also The Incredible Restoration Journey of the Jensen CV8 MKIII a vehicle once thought completely lost. When it was found in pieces in a field in Minnesota, it was meticulously restored at StreetWorks.)
Pre-War Elegance with the Jaguar SS 100
StreetWorks Exotics isn’t only about post-war sports cars. The team also restored a pre-war Jaguar SS 100—one of the very few pre-war cars in their portfolio. Boasting a top speed of 100 miles per hour (an astounding feat for its time), the 1936 Jaguar is part of a local collector’s lineup and posed its own set of challenges. The local owner was struggling to find a shop that could take care of his restoration in a reasonable timeframe, which is what many of our customers appreciate about StreetWorks.
“We have to be realistic with the clients when they get a hold of us,” Matt explains, “Once it’s on our schedule, we don’t want to stop. We have to get all our ducks in a row and ensure we have a client on the same page because we don’t want anybody to have surprises. Then it all meets together at the end.”
When the vehicle arrived at StreetWorks, its fenders were incomplete—a puzzle that required the team to reconstruct components from scratch using historic photos and intricate discussions with the owner. Precision was key, with every curve and angle verified to meet both aesthetic and functional standards.
The Jaguar’s restoration wasn’t limited to its bodywork. The team also undertook detailed upholstery and top fabric repairs, ensuring that this luxurious machine was restored to pre-war perfection.
Craftsmanship Meets Passion
At StreetWorks Exotics, award-winning automobile restoration is not just about tools or techniques—it’s about passion for preserving history, celebrating craftsmanship, and giving timeless machines a new lease on life. Whether it’s a Lamborghini Islero, a Maserati Sebring, or a Jaguar SS 100, each car that passes through the StreetWorks garage is treated with the utmost care and respect for its story and lineage.
The Challenges of Restoring Exotic Classics
Restoring a classic vehicle is as much about problem-solving as craftsmanship. One of the biggest obstacles Matt and his team face is sourcing rare parts. For some vehicles, original components are no longer available, requiring either extensive searches or custom fabrication. When parts can’t be found, the team uses advanced techniques to recreate them while maintaining historical accuracy.
Electrical systems are another headache for restorers. Many vintage vehicles feature outdated wiring that’s prone to failure. StreetWorks specializes in modernizing these systems without compromising authenticity—a delicate balance that ensures reliability while preserving the car’s original character.
The Art of Achieving Concours-Level Quality
Restoring a car to Concours quality—where it’s judged on originality and perfect condition—is no small feat. Achieving this level of excellence requires countless hours of research, sourcing the right materials, and an obsessive attention to detail. For StreetWorks, every restoration is a collaboration between engineering and artistry.
Matt explains, “If someone comes to me and says, hey, Matt, I don’t need it to be a show car restoration. I just want to drive it. Well, where do you want us to cut back on our work? Where do you want us not to do a good job? It’s really difficult to do that. It’s really difficult to dial back a quality restoration. A quality restoration is a quality restoration.”
The Cost of Restoration
When asked about the cost of such restorations, Backhaus explained, “Restoring a car properly can cost between $300,000 and $500,000. Even if it’s not destined for Pebble Beach, a quality restoration doesn’t cut corners. Every detail matters to ensure these cars are both beautiful and functional.”
The Science of Restoration
For anyone wondering what goes into bringing a rare vintage car back to life, Matt emphasized the importance of craftsmanship and tools. At StreetWorks Exotics, the shop utilizes a combination of traditional techniques and modern technology to achieve their results.
For example, when working on the Iso Grifo, one of their rarest and most challenging projects, the team created a metal template (think of it as a guide for correct proportions) to restore the car’s complex front-end design.
“It’s incredibly hard to find an Iso front end today that hasn’t been damaged,” Matt explains. “We created the template to ensure we had precise measurements for welding and shaping the metal. Every Iso is a little different, so we adapt as needed.”
From power hammers to English wheels, the right tools make a difference. “Ten years ago, we were forming metal by hand with stumps,” Matt says. “Now we’ve evolved to using machines for tasks like shrinking and shaping metal—but we still maintain precision and care.”
From Basket Cases to Masterpieces
At StreetWorks Exotics, no project is too ambitious or complicated. Whether it’s reviving a rusted-out Lamborghini or recreating the luxurious details of a Maserati Sebring’s interior, Matt Backhaus and his team are up to the challenge.
One recurring theme in Backhaus’ conversation was the challenging nature of restorations that begin with disassembled or partially restored vehicles—fondly referred to as “basket cases.”
“I would say our restorations are a very high percentage of basket cases,” Matt explains. “When I call them basket cases, they come in baskets because another shop is taking them apart, or the owner is taking them apart, or for whatever reason, we have cars that come from shops that didn’t know what to do with the car properly.”
Whether cars arrive in literal baskets of parts or simply bear the scars of previous, subpar restorations, StreetWorks Exotics frequently finds itself tasked with untangling these complicated legacies.
Expertise Across the Board
“One of the most common situations we face is cars that have gone from shop to shop to shop,” Backhaus admitted. “Understanding these cars requires a deep knowledge of automotive history, engineering, and craftsmanship.” Whether these cars are Italian classics or American hot rods, StreetWorks has earned its reputation for tackling even the most challenging jobs with precision and care.
Why StreetWorks Exotics is a Leader in Restoration
What sets StreetWorks Exotics apart is their passion as car lovers for preserving the authenticity and legacy of each vehicle. Every project, no matter how challenging, is approached with the same level of care and dedication. From custom body work to expertly crafted interiors, their craftsmanship turns neglected vehicles into showstoppers.
Beyond their technical skills, Matt and his team truly understand the emotional connection their clients have with their cars. “Our goal is to not only restore the car but also preserve the memories and meaning it holds for its owner,” Matt explains.
Find Your Passion on Four Wheels
The work happening at StreetWorks Exotics demonstrates that vintage sports car restoration is as much an art as it is a skill. Every Ferrari, Lamborghini, Maserati, or Jaguar that comes through their doors receives unmatched care, ensuring that each one stands the test of time.
For collectors and enthusiasts, the magic of a classic car restoration lies in its storytelling. StreetWorks Exotics, under the stewardship of Matt Backhaus, continues to bring those stories to life, one meticulous restoration at a time.
Are you ready to bring your dream car back to life? Get in touch with StreetWorks Exotics and start your restoration project today.
Watch the entire interview here.
