Makes › Aston Martin › Bulldog (DP-K901) · Prototype · 1979
Aston Martin
Bulldog (DP-K901)
Running gull-winged twin-turbo V8 experimental car, single example
Still being researched: full specifications. Everything shown is checked against the cited sources. Know more? Send us a source.
Photo: Ian Leech · CC BY-SA 2.0
Contents
01Overview
At a glance
- Built
- Not yet verified
- Years
- 1979
- Engine
- V8 · 5,300 cc / 5.3 LFactory: 5.3 L
- Power
- Not yet verified
- Top speed
- 307 km/hFactory: 307 km/h
- Body
- Not yet verified
- Designer
- William Towns
- In this archive
- Not yet verified
- Surviving
- 1 (independently researched)
Sources and any conflicting figures are in the sections below.
Why it matters
The Bulldog was Aston Martin's most extreme wedge-shaped concept, designed by William Towns, who also drew the 1974 Lagonda, as the start of a futuristic range. It was a 1,100 mm tall two-seater with flush glazing, hidden headlamps and gullwing doors, and it was tested to 307 km/h (190 mph), though a higher theoretical top speed was claimed.
How rare is it?
Six separate kinds of rarity – never combined into one number.
Each kind of rarity is rated separately and never combined.
02Production & history
Production
Every figure says what it counts.
| What is counted | Figure | Basis | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total model productionthe single car built; restored in Shropshire 2020-2024 and returned to its US owner (per S4) | 11 | Surviving examples | Independently researched |
Independent counts (e.g. engine and colour) are never combined into a calculated figure. Surviving examples are never presented as original production.
History
The car was developed under the codename DP K9, after a character in the British TV series Doctor Who, and was officially launched on 27 March 1980 at the Bell Hotel in Aston Clinton. It was first test driven in late 1979.
The programme was abandoned and the car was sold at auction. After time in the United States it came back to Britain, repainted green instead of its original silver and light grey, with a light tan interior instead of the original dark brown and black.
Variants
How each version differs from the standard Bulldog (DP-K901).
No variants documented yet. Have a source? Contribute it.
03Specifications
Technical specifications
Engine
| Engine family | Not yet verified |
|---|---|
| Engine code | Not yet verified |
| Layout | V82 Independently researched |
| Cylinders | 83 Independently researched |
| Displacement | 5,300 cc / 5.3 LFactory: 5.3 L2 Independently researched |
| Bore | Not yet verified |
| Stroke | Not yet verified |
| Compression ratio | Not yet verified |
| Fuel system | Bosch fuel injection (replaced by four Weber carburettors by 1997)4 Independently researched |
| Induction | Twin Garrett turbochargers4,3 Independently researched |
| Power | Not yet verified |
| Power at | Not yet verified |
| Torque | Not yet verified |
Transmission & drivetrain
| Gearbox | ZF manual4 Independently researched |
|---|---|
| Gears | Not yet verified |
| Driven wheels | Not yet verified |
Chassis, body & dimensions
| Chassis | Not yet verified |
|---|---|
| Front suspension | Not yet verified |
| Rear suspension | Not yet verified |
| Brakes | Not yet verified |
| Steering | Not yet verified |
| Body construction | Not yet verified |
| Wheelbase | 2,769 mmFactory: 2,769 mm2 Independently researched |
| Length | 4,724 mmFactory: 4,724 mm2 Independently researched |
| Width | 1,918 mmFactory: 1,918 mm2 Independently researched |
| Height | 1,100 mmFactory: 1,100 mm5 Independently researched |
| Front track | Not yet verified |
| Rear track | Not yet verified |
| Kerb weight | Not yet verified |
| Dry weight | Not yet verified |
Performance
| Maximum speed | 307 km/hFactory: 307 km/h5 Independently researchedSource says the theoretical top speed is thought to be 381 km/h (237 mph). |
|---|---|
| 0–100 km/h | Not yet verified |
| Fuel tank | Not yet verified |
“Not yet verified” means no source has been checked for that value yet. Nothing is estimated to fill a gap.
04Colours & options
Factory colours & interiors
Original paint and trim, with the number of cars in each where a source gives it.
Not yet documented. Have a source? Contribute it.
Factory options & codes
Codes are shown exactly as written by the manufacturer.
Not yet documented. Have a source? Contribute it.
05Individual cars
Chassis register
Every documented car, with its colours, history and where it is now. Open a row for the full record. Known chassis are not automatically authenticated originals.
Not yet documented. Have a source? Contribute it.
Competition history
Every race result of the individual cars, in date order. Click a chassis number to open its full record in the register.
Not yet documented. Have a source? Contribute it.
Auction & sale history
Documented public sales of the individual cars. Click a chassis number to open its full record in the register.
Not yet documented. Have a source? Contribute it.
See one in person
Museums where an example of this car can be seen.
No example is documented on public display yet. Have a source? Contribute it.
06Reference
Identification guide
How to tell an original from a replica or later conversion.
The original car was finished in silver and light grey with a dark brown and black interior; the car was later repainted green with a light tan interior, so current colours are not original. Distinguishing features are the 1,100 mm height, full-width headlamps hidden behind a drop-down flap on the bonnet, large gullwing doors, digital instrumentation and a rear-view screen in the centre console.
Sources
Each number links to the exact facts it supports.
-
1
Aston Martin Bulldog to return to US owner Level C Chloe Hughes · BBC News · 2024-07-24
- restored in Bridgnorth, Shropshire, is to be returned to its owner
-
2
Aston Martin Bulldog (classic concept cars feature) Level B Honest John Classics
- Engine V8, 5.3 liter
- Wheelbase 2,769mm
- Length 4,724mm
- Width 1,918mm
-
3
In 1979, Aston Martin Built A Twin-Turbo Wedge That Could Reach 191MPH Level C Blake Z. Rong · Road & Track · 2016-07-02
- 5.3-liter V8
- a pair of Garrett turbochargers
-
4
The Bulldog Was Aston Martin's Mid-Engined Dream Level C Mate Petrany · Jalopnik
- Bosch fuel injection ... replaced with four Weber carburetors
- two Garrett turbochargers
- proper ZF manual instead of the Chrysler 3-speed automatic
-
5
Aston Martin Bulldog (Concept Car of the Week) Level B Car Design News
- measured just 1,100mm high
- achieved a top speed of 307km/h
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