Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance is where the good and the great in the motoring world meet. Considered the toughest car show in the world – part driving test, part beauty pageant – the art of the automobile is celebrated via the prized Best of Show accolade, with the finest heritage cars undergoing rigorous judgement on preservation, aesthetics, technical excellence and history. 

A star contender for the 2024 title, the Aston Martin Bulldog is heading to the prestigious Californian event, where it’s set to be judged in the wedge-shaped concept car and prototype class. Originally created in 1979 with the expertise of legendary designer William Towns (also responsible for the ahead-of-its-time Lagonda Mk II), the one-of-a-kind car quickly became the stuff of automotive legend. Intended as a run of 20, it soon proved too expensive to make and failed to reach its statement-making 200 miles-per-hour goal at the time. The prototype was then sold off by Aston Martin (to a Saudi prince, no less) and has rarely been seen since. 

Fast forward 45 years and, after 7,000 hours of restoration at the Classic Motor Cars base in Shropshire, and a couple of cursory outings at Yeovilton and Campbeltown to test its new speed capabilities, the Bulldog is finally heading – in all its aerodynamic splendour – to the waiting arms of its American owner, businessman and car collector Phillip Sarofim. 

With a nuts-and-bolts makeover, its sharply angular, futuristic chassis and handcrafted aluminium alloy panels will make for a guaranteed head-turner come 18 August at Pebble Beach, its outstretching gullwing doors taking its one-metre height to almost two. Thanks to skilled technicians, the concept car has even conquered that evasive speed target, with Aston Martin works driver Darren Turner putting his foot down to 205.4mph on the track last year. 

Some things really do age like fine wine, and the Bulldog proves that it’s not necessary to accept the past in order to look to the future. Continuing its legend and once again leaving for new adventures overseas – it’s the only car to have been on both the HMS Prince of Wales and HMS Queen Elizabeth aircraft carriers – Sarofim says: ‘I am a great believer in the power of icons such as Bulldog to inspire the next generation to push the boundaries and shoot for the stars.’