More than four decades after its first attempt, the Aston Martin Bulldog has today (6 June) smashed its 200mph target.
It was driven by triple Le Mans class-winner – and Aston Martin works driver – Darren Turner at Machrihanish airfield, a former NATO base in Campbeltown, Scotland, and recorded 205.4mph.
Aston Martin designed the Bulldog in 1977 to be the world’s fastest production car, with the aim of achieving 200mph.
However, when it was put through its paces at MIRA in late 1979, it fell just shy of the mark, with its top speed of 191mph.
More than 40 years since getting to 191mph, the Aston Martin Bulldog has broken the 200mph barrier
Between 15-20 Bulldogs were meant to be built, but the project was deemed too expensive and was canned after just one, this car, was finished.
When Aston Martin wanted to move it on, it was sold to its first keeper, a Saudi prince who paid £130,000 for the Bulldog, and the first time he drove it the engine blew up.
A number of owners later, in 2020, the car’s then-new custodian, American businessman Phillip Sarofim, wanted the car restored and approached Richard Gauntlett, son of the former Aston Martin owner Victor Gauntlett, to manage this process.
