1967 ASTON MARTIN DB6

A total of 1,788 Aston Martin DB6 cars were produced between 1965 and 1971, including roughly 1,325 Mark 1 models of which only 335 were the rare and now very collectable Vantage specification.

The Car

Supplied new by long standing Aston Martin main dealer HMW of Walton on Thames on 11 December 1967, this DB6 Mk I was supplied with the rare and desirable Vantage specification engine in C tune with triple Weber 45 DCOE9 carburettors and higher-lift camshafts. This raised the power from the standard engines 282bhp to 325bhp at 5,750rpm with 295lb-ft of torque. Thus making the DB6 a genuine 150mph sports car capable of the 0 to 60mph dash in 6 seconds. Impressive figures for 1967. This car was supplied new with the 5 speed ZF manual gearbox to maximise the performance and enhance the sports car character. The DB6 is still in its original Goodwood Green colour with Black leather interior. The original factory build sheet confirms this is a matching numbers car.

The DB6 sits on a lovely set of stainless steel wire wheels, while under the bonnet is Polish engineer Tadek Marek’s gorgeous 6 cylinder engine but re-built by Desmond Smail to 4.2litres capacity using new Cosworth pistons and a cylinder head modified for unleaded petrol. Finally the rear suspension has been upgraded by Chicane the renowned Aston Martin specialist replacing the lever arm dampers with modern Gaz units and providing a much more controllable rear suspension set up.

It’s History

This DB6 has only covered 68030 miles and had a remarkably small number of owners during its 59 year history. The first recorded keeper, Thomas Howard of Northwood, appears to have kept the Aston until May 1985 when it was transferred to Anthony Howard of Sunningdale. Sold by London Dealer Chelsea Cars to Eric Wilkinson of Hampshire in December 2003 the Aston was starting to show signs of a “life lived”. Renowned Aston Martin Specialist, Desmond J. Smail acquired the car in June 2010 and the current owner acquired the DB6 in 2011 from him following its engine re-build to 4.2l unleaded specification.

Over the next 14 years the DB6 has received diligent and expert maintenance and improvement from some of the best specialists about and this shows in how it looks, runs and drives. The documented history file with the car is 50mm thick and includes hundreds of pictures detailing all the work carried out on the car by the owner and some great specialists. This work included a high-quality interior re-trim in Black Leather by Rawles Motorsport in 2012 and extensive rear chassis reconstruction and re-skinning of the passengers door by ex-RS Williams body man Alan Smith in 2014. More recently the Aston has had attention from renowned Aston Martin specialist Chicane, who converted the rear suspension to telescopic Gaz dampers, re-built the prop shaft and carried out a full brake system overhaul including the servos and master cylinder. The Aston has just returned from having a full service and inspection at Chicane.

On the Road

A Classic 60’s grand touring sports car with the traditional sound and driving feel of an iconic straight six Weber fed engine, manual gearbox and fully sorted suspension. Looks to die for and the tactile feel of a fully analogue drive. In particular the re-built 4.2 litre engine revs and pulls superbly. All in a package that is practical enough to use as regularly as your heart and weather allow.

Conclusion

This DB6 is very special. It’s the looks it’s the feel, it’s the evocative trip back to a golden age in car design, it’s the originality and diligent care and maintenance that is so often associated with long term ownership. It’s the rarity and ideal specification. This is one very cool car.

This DB6 has a well-documented provenance with continuous history back to 1980 and benefits from substantial investment in restoring the chassis, sorting the mechanicals and suspension and upgrading the car as appropriate to include electronic ignition and halogen headlights.

Don’t miss this opportunity, the DB6 is a very well presented and sorted usable DB6 with the best and rarest specification along with strong underlying integrity, rather than a superficial restoration. It is now available for viewing and demonstration at our Hampshire premises.