The Aston Martin Bulldog, styled by William Towns, is a British one-off concept vehicle produced by Aston Martin in 1979. The code name of the project was DP K901. A production run of 15 to 25 cars was planned at first, but the project was judged too costly and only one was built.
Aston Martin Bulldog at a glance
| Built | 1979, one car; code name DP K901 |
|---|---|
| Designer | William Towns |
| Launched | 27 March 1980 at the Bell Hotel, Aston Clinton |
| Engine | 5.3 L V8 with twin Garrett turbochargers, 600 bhp (447 kW) |
| Features | five centre-mounted hidden headlamps, gull-wing doors, leather and walnut interior with LED buttons |
| Sold in 1984 | to a Middle Eastern collector for £130,000 |
| Restored | 2020–2021; 162 mph (261 km/h) in November 2021, 205.4 mph (330.55 km/h) in June 2023 |
| Pebble Beach 2024 | first place in the “Wedge-shaped Concept Cars and Prototypes (Late)” class |
This page is based on English Wikipedia only (a trusted source), so the facts were not cross-checked against a second source.
History of the Aston Martin Bulldog
The Bulldog was named after a Scottish Aviation Bulldog aeroplane flown by Aston Martin’s then managing director Alan Curtis, and nicknamed K9 after the robotic dog in the Doctor Who TV series. It was designed to show off the capabilities of Aston Martin’s new engineering facility at Newport Pagnell and to go after the title of fastest production car in the world. The car was officially launched on 27 March 1980; although built in the UK, it is left-hand drive.
The sharp wedge shape was drawn by William Towns. The car has five centre-mounted hidden headlamps and gull-wing doors, and the interior is upholstered in leather with walnut trim and multiple LED buttons like the Lagonda. Aston Martin planned to build 15 to 25 Bulldogs, but in 1981 Victor Gauntlett became chairman and decided the project would be too costly, so it was shelved.
In 1984 Aston Martin sold the Bulldog to a Middle Eastern collector for £130,000, who added both rear-view mirrors and cameras. It later went to an American collector and spent time in storage in several places. It was shown at the Goodwood Festival of Speed in 2009 and at Aston Martin’s centenary celebration in July 2013, and was later found in storage in the Far East and offered for sale in the UK, by then green instead of the original silver and light grey, with a light tan interior in place of the original dark brown and black.
2020 restoration
In 2020 the car was bought by the American collector Phillip Sarofim, and a full restoration was organised by Victor Gauntlett’s son Richard. Classic Motor Cars Ltd in Bridgnorth carried out a nut-and-bolt restoration with the aim of reaching 200 mph. In November 2021 the rebuild was complete and the car achieved 162 mph (261 km/h) on its first shakedown on the runway at RNAS Yeovilton. On 6 June 2023 BBC Radio 4 reported that it had reached its promised 200 mph at Campbeltown Airport in Scotland, reaching 205.4 mph (330.55 km/h). On 18 August 2024 it won first place in its class at the Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance.
Design and features
- Engine: a 5.3 L V8 with twin Garrett turbochargers producing 600 bhp.
- Doors: gull-wing.
- Lights: five centre-mounted hidden headlamps.
- Interior: leather with walnut trim and LED buttons.
Aston Martin Bulldog versions
- Bulldog (DP K901, 1979): the only car built, in silver and light grey originally.
More Aston Martin cars are in our Aston Martin collection, for example the Vanquish, the Lagonda whose interior ideas it shared and the V8.
Aston Martin Bulldog questions and answers
What is the Aston Martin Bulldog?
A one-off wedge-shaped concept car built in 1979 and shown in 1980.
Who designed it?
William Towns.
How fast did it go?
After restoration it reached 205.4 mph in June 2023.
Why was it never produced?
A run of 15 to 25 was planned, but the project was judged too costly after Victor Gauntlett became chairman in 1981.
What engine does it have?
A 5.3 L V8 with twin Garrett turbochargers and 600 bhp.
Video: Aston Martin Bulldog – The Hidden Model
Video by justinbois1993 on YouTube.
Sources
- Aston Martin Bulldog, English Wikipedia: history, restoration and performance
