Restored Aston Martin Bulldog wins Top Concours award

The Aston Martin Bulldog was a concept car launched in 1980. Photo: Supplied

The Aston Martin Bulldog restored in the UK by Classic Motor Cars has become the youngest vehicle ever to win the prestigious Coppa d’Oro award at the Concorso D’Eleganza at Ville D’este, Italy. 

The trophy is one of two top awards and is voted for by other entrants to the Concours.

More than 6000 hours went into the restoration of the famous Aston Martin concept car which when it was unveiled in 1980 and became the stuff of legend for car fans around the world.

Only one car was ever built, and its futuristic design and V8 engine took it to 192 miles per hour (308km/h) but not the 200 mph (320km/h) that Aston Martin had planned.

In 1981, Aston Martin found itself in hard times and was forced to sell the car to a buyer in the Middle East and the car disappeared from view 

Two years ago, the car was found and purchased by collector Philip Sarofim who asked Richard Gauntlett, the son of the former owner of Aston Martin to manage the restoration of the car with the aim of reaching the 200 mph it never did when it was built.

Sarofim said: “The win at Ville D’Este is a momentous occasion - to win such a prestigious and historic award on its first Concours is a testament to CMCs incredible work and the wild vision of and engineering skill of Aston Martin.

“The next challenge is to get the car to 200 mph, and we will do that later this year at a location which we will announce shortly.”

Tim Griffin the managing Director of Classic Motor Cars in Bridgnorth said “The Italian award is a tribute to the team at CMC who will be over the moon about the win.”