The Aston Martin Bulldog was intended to embody remarkable British performance. Originating in the late 1970s, the project was halted due to financial difficulties faced by the company. The sports car has now been meticulously restored and is currently undergoing track trials to achieve its original objective of surpassing a top speed of 200 mph, as detailed by ClassicCars.com.
The Bulldog is equipped with a centrally positioned 5.3-liter Aston Martin V8 engine, enclosed in futuristic bodywork that rectifies the shortcomings of the Tesla Cybertruck. Featuring twin turbochargers for substantial power enhancement, the engine aimed to produce about 700 horsepower to propel the British supercar beyond the monumental 200 mph benchmark. Sadly, due to the cancellation of the project, this ambition was never realized.
Nigel Woodward achieved a speed of 162 mph in the Aston Martin Bulldog test run., Classic Motor Cars/Richard Johnson
After being inactive for an extended period, the unique Bulldog prototype came into possession of Phillip Sarofim. Classic Motor Cars oversaw the restoration of the Bulldog, with Richard Gauntlett playing a key role in the refurbishment process. Interestingly, Richard is the offspring of Vincent Gauntlett, the individual who acquired Aston Martin in the 1980s and terminated the project initially.
The recently restored vehicle was sighted on the streets of London, garnering attention from admiring spectators. Subsequently, it underwent an acceleration test during a trial run at the Naval Air Station in Somerset, with Nigel Woodward, the managing director of Classic Motor Cars, at the helm. The Bulldog reached a speed of 162 mph during the test, operating at a moderate throttle and lower boost level. An Aston Martin DB9 was utilized as a chase vehicle, capturing the endeavor on film.
“The recent session not only confirmed the readiness of the car but also supplied valuable data,” Woodward remarked regarding the test. The team is optimistic about the Bulldog’s potential to achieve the 200 mph mark without significant challenges. Woodward added, “My caution and the ongoing evaluation of the car hindered us from pushing the boundaries further.”
Another trial run is scheduled at the Naval Air Station, either later this year or at the commencement of 2022. This assessment will help identify additional areas for improvement before the Bulldog is tasked with surpassing the long-standing speed target set many years ago. Equipped with twin turbochargers, a robust British V8 engine, and with Darren Turner, an Aston Martin Racing driver, poised to take control, it’s probable this silver supercar will breach the 200 mph barrier soon.
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