Aston Martin’s one-off 1979 Bulldog supercar finally breaks 200mph barrier

Aston Martin’s one-off Bulldog supercar has finally topped 200mph, more than 40 years after it was built.

The Bulldog was a one-off concept created in 1979 in an effort to show off the capabilities of the company’s new engineering facility in Milton Keynes.

When it was first tested, it reached a speed of 300 km/h, but was subsequently sold to an Arabian prince after the British company ran into financial difficulties.

A long-term restoration project was completed in 2021.

Today it reached a top speed of 205.4 mph at Machrihanish airfield, a former NATO base in Campbeltown, Scotland.

Driver Darren Turner, three-time winner of the prestigious 24 Hours of Le Mans, said: “Bulldog’s goal of 200 mph is more than 40 years in the making, to be part of that legacy is a fantastic feeling.

‘The Bulldog has now lived up to the promise of 1980s Aston Martin and everyone who worked on the car – from those who first designed and built it, to Classic Motor Cars who carried out the restoration under the direction of Richard Gauntlett , can be very proud.’

He added: “The conditions were perfect for the run and the car performed perfectly too, easily breaking the 200mph mark.”

Aston Martin originally planned to build between 15 and 20 cars, but the company then decided the project was too expensive and so only one was made.

When the next owner drove it for the first time, the 5.3 liter V8 twin-turbocharged engine exploded.

The car made headlines again in 2020 when it was bought by car enthusiast Philip Sarofim, who asked Richard Gauntlett, the son of former Aston Martin owner Martin Victor Gauntlett, to restore it.

The Bulldog was restored over the course of 18 months by Classic Motor Cars of Shropshire.

Tim Griffin, the company’s managing director, said: ‘Thanks to the hard work of the CMC team, the Aston Martin Bulldog made it happen!

“The people of Campbeltown have been very welcoming and encouraging to us, and we’re delighted to be giving them the opportunity to see the car and meet Darren.”

Mr Sarofim said: ‘Today is about making dreams come true, the dreams of the original designers and engineers who created Bulldog.

Today it reached a top speed of 205.4 mph, at Machrihanish airfield, a former NATO base in Campbeltown, Scotland

Driver Darren Turner, three-time winner of the prestigious 24 Hours of Le Mans, said: “Bulldog’s goal of 200 mph is more than 40 years in the making, to be part of that legacy is a fantastic feeling”

Aston Martin originally planned to build between 15 and 20 cars, but the company then decided the project was too expensive and so only one was made. Above: The car after restoration

The beautifully restored car has a luxurious brown leather interior. Aston Martin originally planned to sell the model for around £200,000 – over £800,000 in today’s money

The car made headlines again in 2020 when it was bought by car enthusiast Philip Sarofim, who asked Richard Gauntlett, the son of former Aston Martin owner Martin Victor Gauntlett, to restore it. Above: the interior of the car

The Bulldog has been restored by Classic Motor Cars of Bridgend, Shropshire. Above: The side of the stunning vehicle

The Bulldog was restored over the course of 18 months by Classic Motor Cars of Shropshire

‘Those automotive pioneers broke through barriers, not just speed barriers, but also frontiers of design, innovation and engineering.’

Mr Gauntlett added: ‘It really is an incredible moment to witness the end of a 45-year chapter in the history of the incredible Aston Martin Bulldog.

“The team that built it and the team that rebuilt it are rightfully celebrating their momentous achievements and it is heartwarming to see all their hard work pay off.”

After initially being sold by Aston Martin, the Bulldog spent time in various storage units around the world, including in the United States.

It was eventually found in the Far East and purchased by an American Bulldog fan before being transported to Shropshire for restoration.

The Daily Mail reported on the car when it was first made, revealing how it would have cost buyers as much as £200,000 – more than £800,000 in today’s money.

The Daily Mail reported on the car when it was first made, revealing how it would have cost buyers a whopping £200,000 – over £800,000 in today’s money

The newspaper reported how the car was photographed in a parking lot by 11-year-old schoolboy Giles Cockings