One-off 1979 Aston Martin Bulldog Finally Breaks 200mph Barrier After 44-Year Wait

Aston Martin Bulldog hit 200mph barrier 44 years after being created to chase after the title of fastest production car.

Behind the wheels of the record-setting Bulldog was 3-time Le Mans class winner, who reached 205.4 mph.

Aston Martin claimed a top-speed of 237 mph (381 km/h), but the fastest speed recorded was 191 mph (307 km/h) in late 1979.

British luxury marque initially planned to build 15-25 Bulldogs, but the project was shelved in 1981 as it was deemed too costly.

The Aston Martin Bulldog super car has finally broken the 200mph top speed barrier more than 40 years after being built to chase after the title of fastest production car in the world.

The one-off concept vehicle finally set the speed record it aimed to achieve more than 40 years after its debut in 1979 to show off the capabilities of Aston Martin’s new engineering facility in Newport Pagnell.

Behind the wheels of the record-setting Bulldog was 3-time Le Mans class winner and Aston Martin works driver Darren Turner, who was able to reach 205.4 mph on 6 June 2023 at Machrihanish airfield, a former NATO base in Campbeltown, Scotland.

“Bulldog’s 200mph goal has been over 40 years in the making… Being part of that legacy is a fantastic feeling,” said Turner, after completing the final run.

“The Bulldog has now fulfilled Aston Martin’s 1980s promise, and everyone who has worked on the car – from those who first designed and built it to Classic Motor Cars who undertook the restoration under the management of Richard Gauntlett – can feel very proud.”

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The road to hitting the 200mph barrier began with Motor enthusiasts Classic Motor Cars, giving the Aston Martin Bulldog an incredible modern restoration, spanning over 18 months and 6,000 work hours.

“Thanks to the CMC team’s hard work, the Aston Martin Bulldog has done it!” said, Tim Griffin, the managing director of Classic Motor Cars.

Aston Martin claimed a top-speed of 237 mph (381 km/h) during its unveiling, but the fastest speed the car was recorded doing was 191 mph (307 km/h) during a test run at the Motor Industry Research Association track in late 1979.

British luxury marque, Aston Martin, initially planned to build 15-25 Bulldogs, but the project was shelved in 1981 as it was deemed too costly and so only one was built.

After the project was canceled, Aston Martin sold the Bulldog to a middle eastern collector for £130,000 in 1984, who added both rear view mirrors and cameras.

The Bulldog was shown at the Goodwood Festival of Speed in 2009, and at Aston Martin’s 100th anniversary celebration at Kensington Park Gardens in July 2013.

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