The Aston Martin Bulldog: From Restoration to Pebble Beach Triumph
In the world of classic cars, few stories capture the imagination like that of the Aston Martin Bulldog. This one-of-a-kind vehicle, after a meticulous 7,000-hour restoration, is set to grace the prestigious Pebble Beach Concours in California, ready to compete in the wedge-shaped concept car and prototype class.
The journey of the Bulldog back to prominence began at Classic Motor Cars Ltd (CMC) in Bridgnorth, Shropshire, where it spent an extensive 1,664 days undergoing a complete transformation. This effort culminated in the Bulldog achieving its long-desired speed goal of 200mph, a feat it had missed in its original production in 1979.
Tim Griffin, Managing Director of CMC, expressed immense pride in the restoration achievement. “We are proud and privileged to have restored Bulldog,” Griffin said. “It is a testament to the team in Bridgnorth that this was acknowledged with three major awards: RAC Restoration of the Year, the Coppa d’Oro award at the Concorso D’Eleganza at Ville D’ Este, and The Victor Gauntlett Trophy from the Aston Martin Owners Club.”
The Bulldog’s story began in 1979 when Aston Martin, under the design guidance of William Towns, introduced this unique vehicle. Despite its striking design and advanced engineering, the Bulldog fell short of its 200mph target and eventually became a rarely seen legend in automotive circles.
This changed in 2019 when American businessman and car collector Philip Sarofim acquired the Bulldog. Determined to fulfill the car’s original promise, Sarofim enlisted Richard Gauntlett to oversee the restoration, entrusting the actual work to CMC. The Bulldog arrived at CMC in early 2020, and after an initial shakedown run in November 2021 at Yeovilton Navy base in Somerset, where it reached 162mph, the car finally achieved 205.4mph in June 2023 at Campbeltown, Scotland, driven by Aston Martin works driver Darren Turner.
In a unique twist, the Bulldog has the distinction of being the only car to have been aboard both the HMS Prince Of Wales and HMS Queen Elizabeth aircraft carriers, as part of its charity efforts with the Royal Navy.
Philip Sarofim highlighted the importance of innovation and inspiration in his business philosophy, drawing a parallel with the Bulldog’s journey. “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,” Sarofim said.
David Barzilay, Communications Director at CMC, emphasized the global interest in the Bulldog’s story. “The team will be watching results from Pebble Beach closely and hoping for another win,” Barzilay said. He also mentioned that both a documentary and a book are in the works to chronicle the Bulldog’s extraordinary journey.
Adding to the legend are the ‘puppies,’ four unique prototype cars designed by William Towns – the Minimissa, Microdot, Tracer, and Hustler. These prototypes, restored by CMC over 3,600 hours, have been part of the Bulldog’s entourage, even joining it at Woburn Abbey in Bedfordshire in May 2024 to recreate a historic 1979 interview between Towns and Thames TV.
The Aston Martin Bulldog’s restoration success is a testament to the dedication and expertise of the team at CMC, the support of owner Philip Sarofim, and the vision of restoration manager Richard Gauntlett. As the Bulldog heads to Pebble Beach, it carries with it a legacy of perseverance, innovation, and a triumphant return to its rightful place among the legends of automotive history.
