Kennen jullie deze nog? Aston Martin Bulldog

[M@rcel]

Blast from the past: Aston Martin Bulldog

[img:820:414]http://www.motorauthority.com/wp-conten ... de32b7.jpg[/img]

In 1975 Aston Martin was sold to a pair of North American businessmen named Peter Sprague and George Minden. One year later the iconic Lagonda was introduced to the world, a futuristic car designed by stylist William Towns. However, that same year, Towns sketched up an even more radical version of his design that would eventually become the mid-engined supercar we all know today as the Aston Martin Bulldog.

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Though Towns’ original design was initially knocked back by management, a special one-off version was unveiled in March of 1980 as proof that Aston Martin could build a world-class supercar.

Standing only 43 inches tall (just a little bit taller than the Ford GT40), the Bulldog packed a 325bhp 5.3L V8 sourced from the Lagonda with a pair of Garrett AirResearch turbochargers bolted on. The end result was a peak output of 700bhp and an estimated top speed of 237mph. Sadly the Bulldog was only ever given one official test run where it achieved a top speed of 191mph.

A powerful engine was not the car’s only enticing feature. Its split rim alloy wheels were fitted with blades around the circumference - not for aesthetics, but to direct cool air to the brakes to ensure they remained reliable at high speeds. A pair of electronically operated gullwing doors was its party piece, nearly doubling its height when fully open. Inside, the Bulldog featured a futuristic cabin that contained a vast array of digital instrumentation, including LED lit instruments and touch-type sensors lifted straight from the Lagonda.

[img:820:422]http://www.motorauthority.com/wp-conten ... 171506.jpg[/img]

The odd name was given to it managing director Alan Curtis, who named it after a plane he once flew. Until then, it was internally dubbed ‘K-9′ after Dr. Who’s robotic dog. Though Aston claims the car was produced to showcase its technical know-how, rumour has it the Bulldog was actually commissioned in 1979 by an oil-rich Sheik from the Middle East, who found the Lagonda too plain. However, when he later cancelled the order, Aston was forced to adopt the project as their own. In 1981 it was sold off to another buyer from the Middle East.

In the hands of its various owners the car has undergone many changes. The exterior has been repainted from its original stone grey to a two-tone metallic green, whilst aesthetic changes on the interior include re-upholstering of the original brown leather interior, gold-plating for the switches and gear shifter and the addition a roof-mounted stereo. To make it more drivable in real-world conditions, one owner added side-view mirrors and a reversing camera.

With radical looks that have divided critics to this day, the Aston Martin Bulldog was a feat of engineering that was years ahead of its time.

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[img:820:362]http://www.motorauthority.com/wp-conten ... 0e6ff9.jpg[/img]

Bron: Motor Authority

[M@rcel]

De impact die deze auto in 1980 op mij had

Vergeet nooit het verhaal met foto's die toen in de KIJK stonden

[M@rcel]

[img:380:536]http://www.astonmartins.com/v8/am401_bulldog.jpg[/img]

I don't think that I will ever forget the impact that this car had on me when it was first unveiled in 1980; I was an impressionable 15 year old at the time. It appeared in every car magazine simultaneously and I bought a copy of every one which I still have. To think that AML was only rescued from the receivers five short years before.

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 design - 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. It was strongly supported by the then Managing Director of AML, Alan Curtis, who named the car after an aeroplane that he flew called the Scottish Aviation Bulldog. Within the factory it was known by the code name K-9 after Dr. Who's robotic dog.

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.

Very serious consideration was given to a small production run of between 12 and 25 examples but the car remains totally unique. When AML changed hands in 1981, the new Chairman, Victor Gauntlett considered the company had more pressing problems and the Bulldog was sold off for a reputed £130,000 to a Middle Eastern Prince.

[img:800:575]http://www.astonmartins.com/v8/images/am404_bulldog.jpg[/img]

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. I have read elsewhere on the web that the theoretical top speed is in the region of 237mph, a think this is a little optimistic; I would guestimate between 210 and 220 myself. During testing at MIRA 'only' 192 mph was recorded so Bulldog is only theoretically the fastest AM, loosing out to the AMR1 with a confirmed 217mph.

[img:578:800]http://www.astonmartins.com/v8/images/a ... engine.jpg[/img]

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. The mechanism is actually based on that used power the Volante hood mechanism.

[img:524:699]http://www.astonmartins.com/v8/images/i ... ulldog.jpg[/img]

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.

[img:800:527]http://www.astonmartins.com/v8/images/i ... ulldog.jpg[/img]

Many changes have been made during the 17 years that has elapsed from the cars unveiling. The silver over light grey machine in now painted in two tone metallic green, whilst the brown leather of the interior had been replaced by stone leather piped in brown. Other additions to the car include (rather bling) gold plating trim to switches and gear stick, roof mounted stereo, ugly but useful rear view mirrors and a TV showing the rear-view of the car. This picture shows the extent that the doors extend into the sill area to enable easier entry and exit from the low seating position.

[img:800:609]http://www.astonmartins.com/v8/images/am408_bulldog.jpg[/img]

[img:800:530]http://www.astonmartins.com/v8/images/am407_bulldog.jpg[/img]

[img:800:674]http://www.astonmartins.com/v8/images/am409_bulldog.jpg[/img]

I first photographed this unique car during a very rare public appearance in the AMOC marquee at the 1997 Coys Festival, Silverstone and subsequently at the Stratton Motor Company open day, 1998. Interestingly the car has lost the fuel injection system initially fitted and now has quad Weber carburettors. These are I think of the side draught type and are paired up within the 'V' unlike the down draught type fitted in a line down the centre as would be found in a Vantage.

Despite being only an engineering exercise, interest in this drivable usable concept car remains extremely high. Up until this point in time, the Bulldog remains the only publicly seen mid-engined Aston Martin.

Bron: AstonMartins.com

[M@rcel]

In 1978 regiseerde Aston Martin voor het
eerst sinds zijn oprichting in 1913 een positief
bedrijfsresultaat. Zijn directeur; Alan Curtis,
gaf toen het groene licht voor de bouw van een
prototype dat als symbool zou dienen van de
wederopstanding van de firma.

VORMGEGEVEN MET BIJLSLAGEN
Dat heeft geresulteerd in deze Bulldog,die
geintroduceerd werd in 1980. Het was de
eerste Aston Martin sedan met centrale
motor. Het koetswerk was een creatie van de
stilist William Towns, die sinds de DB6 alle
modellen van het merk had ontworpen.
Voor de Bulldog had Towns de stijl toegepast
uit 1976 van de Lagonda sedan. Met zijn
platte vlakken en hoekige overgangen
lijkt hij in grote lijnen met bijlslagen te zijn
vormgegeven. Het onverschrokken uiterlijk
van de carrosserie was in volmaakte ove-
reenstemming met de mechaniek die eronder
zat.

325 KM/H ONDER HET GASPEDAAL
De Aston Martin V8 was overladen met
calorieen door twee Garret turbocompresso-
ren. De firma onthulde het exacte vermogen
niet,maar "officieus" werd dit geschat op
600 pk bij 6500 tpm.Er werd gezegd dat de
Bulldog zijn bestaan te danken zou hebben aan
een rijke klant uit het Midden-Oosten, die een
ruime aanbetaling op de auto had gedaan, maar
hem nooit in bezit heeft genomen: zijn familie
had hem ondertussen onder curatele gesteld.
De Bulldog had geen moeite met het vinden
van een nieuwe koper. Hij brengt thans
gelukkige dagen door in een emiraat, maar hij
is wel enig in zijn soort gebleven.


De Aston Martin Bulldog, die in 1980 geintro-
duceerd werd, is een uniek exemplaar gebleven.

[Hendrik Kinderman]

Hoekig???


neeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee

[Niels]

Zeer bijzonder Volgens mij nog nooit eerder gezien zelfs..

[Dennis Cavallino]

Leuk om zoiets lelijks weer te zien. 700 bhp, hmm. Was een Lagonda niet net iets sneller?