1980 Aston Martin Bulldog: The Ultimate Prototype Supercar - AllCarIndex

In May 1980, Aston Martin unveiled a car that stood apart even in an era fascinated by wedge-shaped exotics and engineering extremes—the Aston Martin Bulldog. Conceived to be the ultimate mid-engined, road-going supercar, it was presented as both a technological showcase and a bold statement of intent from the revitalized company.

The Bulldog originated from the drawing board of William Towns, with engineering led by Project Engineer Keith Martin, Development Engineer Steve Hall, and Design Engineer Mike Loasby. The project was executed almost entirely in-house at Newport Pagnell, serving as a demonstration of Aston Martin’s design and development capabilities.

At its core sat a 5.3-liter V8 fitted with twin Garrett AiResearch turbochargers, Hardy Spicer driveshafts, Hooke’s joints, and Cosworth forged pistons. Power output was claimed to exceed 650 bhp, driving through a ZF five-speed gearbox and final drive ratio of 7.5:1. Full-flow oil filters and Bosch mechanical fuel injection completed the package.

Performance figures spoke for themselves. A top speed in excess of 190 mph was targeted, with 0–60 mph dispatched in just 5.1 seconds. The car’s 7 ft. 6 in. wheelbase and compact packaging contrasted sharply with its aggressive proportions, defined by a 6 ft. 3 in. width and only 3 ft. 6 in. overall height. Towns’ body design incorporated a tubular backbone chassis, hand-formed aluminum panels, and gullwing doors operated electro-hydraulically.

The Bulldog’s suspension derived from the Lagonda, but with notable modifications. At the front, double wishbones were fitted with specially designed uprights. The rear abandoned convention, instead adopting a De Dion axle with four trailing arms and a modified Watts linkage, promising stability and traction. Ventilated 11.67-inch front and 12.25-inch rear discs, sourced from AP Lockheed, completed the braking system.

Visually, the car was as dramatic as its specification. The flush nose hid retractable headlamps, and the rear was marked by a sharply cut vertical tail and low-set window line. The gullwing doors dominated the profile, opening high into the air to reveal a minimalist interior trimmed by Connolly and equipped with modern electronics: a National Panasonic stereo system, digital readouts, and LCD displays for instruments.

One major compromise was practicality. The Bulldog offered no luggage space whatsoever, emphasizing its singular mission as a technological statement rather than a grand tourer.

The project itself carried an unusual backstory. Alan Curtis, then Aston Martin’s chairman, and designer William Towns reportedly evolved the idea from a casual lunch conversation, further supported by company figures including Mike Loasby and Harry Horrocks. It was even said that the car’s code name derived from a neighbor’s Bristol Bulldog fighter aircraft.

Though rumors circulated of a Le Mans program, weight concerns and cost realities kept Bulldog firmly a one-off. Keith Martin himself admitted that even stripped of road-going equipment, the chassis would have been too heavy for competitive endurance racing.

In the end, the Aston Martin Bulldog remained a single, fully realized prototype. It stood as proof of what the company’s engineers could achieve, both in ambition and execution. For all its drama, it was less a production candidate than a rolling demonstration of expertise—one that still resonates as one of the boldest creations in Aston Martin’s history.