The resurrected Aston Martin Bulldog blasted through its decades-old 200mph target on 6 June at Machrihanish airfield, a former NATO base in Scotland. With multiple Le Mans class-winner Darren Turner at the wheel, William Towns’ twin-turbo 5.3-litre V8 wonder-wedge reached 205.4mph to eclipse the 191mph it achieved in 1979. It was a stunning comeback for the 1977 car that had been intended to spawn a production run, but was sold to a Saudi prince for £130,000, then deteriorated through a range of owners until Phillip Sarofim bought it in 2020 and its 7000-hour revival started at Classic Motor Cars of Bridgnorth.
Turner said: ‘Bulldog’s 200mph goal has been over 40 years in the making; being part of that legacy is a fantastic feeling. The conditions were perfect for the run and the car performed perfectly too, easily hitting the 200mph mark.’ Owner Sarofim added: ‘Today is about making dreams come true, the dreams of the designers and engineers who created Bulldog. Those automotive pioneers were breaking barriers: not just speed barriers but frontiers of design, innovation and engineering.’
Bowcliffe charity boost
A 140-head black-tie event at Bowcliffe Hall in Yorkshire celebrating the centenary of Le Mans – and attended by Martin Brundle, David Brabham, David Richards, Guy Smith, Richard Attwood, Harry Tincknell and Darren Turner – raised £64,000 for Hope for Tomorrow on 11 May.
Indian collector’s first
Historic Motoring Awards supporter and industrialist Yohan Poonawalla has become the first Indian to feature in The Key (Classic Car Trust) global list The Top 100 Classic Car Collectors of the World. Poonawalla said: ‘This only strengthens my resolve to continue promoting the motoring heritage of India globally.’
Award and fleet additions
The Great British Car Journey has been named as a top new tourism business in the 2023 VisitEngland Awards for Excellence. The museum, in Ambergate on the edge of the Peak District, has 150 classic British cars dating from 1923 to 2000, 45 of which visitors can now take for a spin after it expanded its driveable fleet to include Austin A30, an A40, MG ZS, Mini Clubman Estate, Vauxhall Chevette Saloon and Ford Granada Mk1. See greatbritishcarjourney.com.
Gilbertson joins RM
Former Bonhams motor department director Sholto Gilbertson has joined RM Sotheby’s as UK director of sales. He has conducted over 60 auctions from the rostrum and has personally overseen over £200million in motor car sales.
Racing E-type tributes
Jaguar Classic is building seven pairs of 3.8-litre E-types to honour the model’s
