Return of the Bulldog: Aston Martin's one-off 1970s supercar is restored to its former glory as it is unveiled in London before it reattempts 200mph record run
- The powerful vehicle, dubbed a 'mythical beast', was shown off to spectators outside Hampton Court palace
- The Bulldog was a one-off concept made in 1979 to show off Aston Martin's engineering capabilities
- Was sold in 1981 when the firm needed funds but resurfaced after being bought by billionaire Phillip Sarofim
- Firm behind the restoration, Classic Motor Cars (CMC), will now attempt to break 200mph barrier
- It fell 9mph of what was then a world record-breaking speed when it was tested in 1981Aston Martin's one-off 1970s Bulldog supercar has been unveiled in London after being restored.
The powerful vehicle, dubbed a 'mythical beast', was shown off to spectators outside Hampton Court palace in Richmond, West London, on Friday.
The Bulldog was a one-off concept made in 1979 in an effort to show off the capabilities of the company's then new engineering facility in Milton Keynes.
However, it was sold in 1981 when the firm needed funds. But, after resurfacing and being restored, it is set to make a second attempt at reaching 200mph, 40 years after it fell 9mph short of reaching what would then have been a record-breaking speed.
Aston Martin's one-off 1970s Bulldog supercar has been unveiled in London after being restored. The powerful vehicle, dubbed a 'mythical beast', was shown off to spectators outside Hampton Court palace in Richmond, West London, on Friday
The Bulldog was a one-off concept made in 1979 in an effort to show off the capabilities of the company's then new engineering facility in Milton Keynes.
The car was restored by Classic Motor Cars (CMC). The firm said the project took 18months due to the desire of staff for the spruced up car to remain as faithful as possible to the original design, whilst making it as future-proof as possible.
The leader of the project, Richard Gauntlett, whose father was the boss at Aston Martin when the car was sold, said earlier this year: 'The Bulldog became something of a mythical beast, lots of people knew about it and wondered where it was after it was sold by Aston Martin to an owner in the Middle East.
'It then disappeared from general view but there were a handful of sightings all over the world.'
Mr Gauntlett added: 'Over the years Bulldog was "sighted" in various locations around the world before turning up in the United States where it was bought by Phillip Sarofim.'
Mr Sarofim, the billionaire former boyfriend of pop star Avril Lavigne, came to London to see the renovated car and said it looked 'truly amazing'.
The CMC team now reportedly plans to get the car ready for another 200mph attempt.
The Bulldog will be tested at Royal Naval Air Station at Yeovilton, Somerset. Apprentices from the base unveiled the car on Friday.
Aston Martin factory driver Darren Turner has been recruited to make the 200mph attempt, later this year.
He will be aided by a whopping 5.3 litre, twin turbocharged V8 engine.
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The car was sold in 1981 when the firm needed funds. But, after resurfacing and being restored, it is set to make a second attempt at reaching 200mph, 40 years after it fell 9mph short of reaching what would then have been a record-breaking speed
Current owner Phillip Sarofim, the billionaire former boyfriend of pop star Avril Lavigne, came to London to see the renovated car and said it looked 'truly amazing'
The car was restored by Classic Motor Cars (CMC). The firm said the project took 18months due to the desire of staff for the spruced up car to remain as faithful as possible to the original design, whilst making it as future-proof as possible
The supercar has undergone full restoration ahead of the second attempt to reach 200mph, expected to be held later in 2021, and this image shows the beautifully designed interior of the supercar which never reached the mass-production stage
The leader of the project, Richard Gauntlett, whose father was the boss at Aston Martin when the car was sold, said earlier this year: 'The Bulldog became something of a mythical beast, lots of people knew about it and wondered where it was after it was sold by Aston Martin to an owner in the Middle East'. Above: Its personalised 'Bulldog' number plate
Mr Turner said: 'I had heard of the legend of Bulldog from within Aston Martin and when news started to filter out about the car being restored to go for the 200mph target, I thought that was such a cool thing to do.
'I was following the story and thinking that it would be great to be involved in. When I was asked to drive it I didn't need to be asked twice.
'I really appreciate being asked and I'm looking forward to becoming part of the story of bringing Bulldog back to life and finally achieving what it set out to achieve all those years ago.'
The car owner American businessman and entrepreneur Phillip Sarofim, originally from Texas, poses for photographs with his Aston Martin Bulldog
CMC managing director Nigel Woodward: 'It is great that Darren has agreed to drive the car.
'Having such an accomplished driver on board and one that will become involved in the final set up and testing is fantastic.'
The world's fastest production car is currently the SSC Tuatara hypercar which was recorded at 316mph.
The car was mobbed by spectators and photographers today after being unveiled in West London. Above: Pictures are taken of its engine
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