Aston Martin Bulldog (1980)

This drivable concept car was developed to demonstrate the ability of the factory to produce a supercar for the 80’s. William Towns styled the Bulldog soon after finishing the AM Lagonda and thus created the ultimate wedge shaped sportscar – with initial engineering work by AML chief engineer, Mike Loasby. When Loasby moved to work for DeLorean in 1979, the work to finish the car was given to Keith Martin who developed the car for the next three years.

Of special note were the pair of massive power operated gullwing doors which took the height of the car from just over a metre to nearly two.

Pirelli P7 tyres are used all round fitted to Compomotive split-rim alloy wheels. Around the circumference are fitted with blades to direct cooling air to the brakes. This feature was later seen on the successful racing Porsche 956 sportscar. Front wheels are shod with 225/50’s whilst rear wheels have massive 345/35 tyres.

The Bulldog is powered by a twin Garrett AirResearch turbocharged 5.3 litre V8 originally with Bosch Fuel Injection. Power output on the test bed reached in excess of 700 bhp, although installed in the car this would have been in the region of 650 bhp. Whilst designed to exceed 200 mph, at the time, a maximum speed of 192 mph was recorded bulldog engine

This left hand drive car of both great length and width only seats two occupants. Instrumentation was provided by the then “state of the art” LED technology and touch type sensors straight out of the new AM Lagonda. Other features common to many Aston Martins is Connolly leather, walnut facings and air conditioning.