Following its 7000-hour restoration by Classic Motor Cars Limited, the one-of-a-kind Aston Martin Bulldog is set to return to its owner in the USA, before it appears at this year’s Pebble Beach concours. Following its restoration, the Bulldog finally managed to exceed the original 200mph top speed, and has picked up several awards.
American businessman and car collector Philip Sarofim acquired the Bulldog in 2019, and appointed Richard Gauntlett to manage the restoration – choosing CMC to undertake it. The Bulldog arrived at CMC in early 2020 to be restored. It reached 162mph in November 2021, at the Yeovilton Navy base in Somerset at its first shake down session then went on to smash its original 200mph goal in June 2023 – reaching 205.4mph in Campbeltown, Scotland, driven by Aston Martin works driver Darren Turner.
The Bulldog is the only car to have been on both the HMS Prince Of Wales and HMS Queen Elizabeth aircraft carriers – the latter as part of the car’s charity work with the Royal Navy.
Phillip Sarofim, said: ‘My business is all about finding entrepreneurs who are looking to change the world, and, for me, that is what concept car designers do – they prove that it’s not necessary to accept the past in order to look to the future. I am a great believer in the power of icons such as Bulldog to inspire the next generation to push the boundaries and shoot for the stars.’
The ‘puppies’ (pictured above) are four unique prototype cars, also designed by William Towns. These are the the Minimissa, Microdot, Tracer and Hustler. These have also been sympathetically restored by CMC over the last three years, and recently accompanied Bulldog to Woburn Abbey in Bedfordshire in May 2024 to recreate a historic 1979 interview between William Towns and Thames TV.
Octane was also invited along, where our very own Mark Dixon was able to drive all of the cars. Read the full story in Octane 256, out on 28 August.
