To Be OFFERED AT AUCTIONEstimate:
€550,000 - €650,000
- Previously restored by Aston Martin Works, less than 800 km
driven since restoration
- Numerous upgrades fitted to offer a more modern driving
experience
- Delivered new to John "Jack" Dorrance Jr., former president of
the Campbell Soup Company
- One of just 140 DB6 Mk I Volantes ever produced, and one of
just 30 built to LHD specifications
Please note this car does not have taxes paid in the EU. The buyer
is responsible for any applicable duty, import fees, or any and all
other required payments that are due upon the import of the lot to
the EU. �
Please note that this lot will need to be collected from Chobham,
Surrey, United Kingdom
First shown at the London Motor Show in October of 1965, the Aston
Martin DB6 proudly followed in the footsteps of its predecessor,
now famous from starting alongside James Bond on the silver screen.
The drop-top DB6 Volante was released a year later. Adding the
thrill of open-air motoring to an already sophisticated motorcar,
the DB6 Volante was the perfect convertible tourer for four. Prince
Charles was gifted a DB6 Volante by his mother on the occasion of
his 21st birthday in 1969, perhaps the ultimate endorsement of the
model.
This particular DB6 Volante, chassis number 3623, boasts a
fascinating early history, as recounted recently to RM Sotheby's by
previous owner and Aston Martin collector Anthony Moody. This was
one of two DB6 Volantes delivered new to Mr. and Mrs. John "Jack"
Dorrance Jr. His father, John Dorrance Sr. invented condensed soup
and served as the president of the Campbell Soup Company from
1914-1930. Upon his passing in 1930, Dorrance Sr. left the bulk of
his shares in the company to Jack, and Jack himself was chairman of
the company from 1962 to 1984. Delivered alongside chassis number
3644 in August of 1967 through Aston Martin's distributorship in
King of Prussia, Pennsylvania, this car is thought to have been
finished in triple black when new and fitted with factory air
conditioning. Interestingly, 3644 was said to be finished in
triple-white.
It is not known how long the car remained with the Dorrance family,
but by the mid to late 1990s, it was acquired by Anthony Moody from
a classic car dealer in Philadelphia. Moody shipped the car to
Import Classics of Marietta, Georgia, where its automatic gearbox
was replaced with a ZF five-speed and refinished black.
Upon the completion of that work, Moody shipped the car to the U.K.
and had it registered there. RS Williams was then commissioned to
perform a complete mechanical overhaul, including upgrading the
engine to 4.2-litre specifications. Moody very much used his new
DB6 Volante as its creators would have intended, and it was enjoyed
by him on a number of vintage rallies, including the Rally du Maroc
in 2003, Rallye de Slovenie, and the Rallye des Alpes.
Acquired by the current owner in 2004 from Moody through RS
Williams, he commissioned a restoration with Aston Martin works in
2007. He requested the car to be refinished in its current colours
of Dubonnet Red over an Oxblood interior. Importantly, several
upgrades were undertaken to provide for a more refined driving
experience, which included fitting a modern four-speed automatic
transmission (which retained the original gear selector), electric
power steering, the suspension was upgraded to fit Koni adjustable
shock absorbers. Inside, passengers were treated to a bespoke air
conditioning system, along with a Blaupunkt stereo with satellite
navigations.
Since its restoration, the car has been driven less than 800 km and
still presents exceptionally well throughout. Thanks to its modern
upgrades, this DB6 Volante remains eminently usable for the
enthusiast looking to enjoy the thrills of vintage motoring on the
open road with a family of four.
To view this car and others currently consigned to this auction,
please visit the RM website at
rmsothebys.com/en/auctions/es20.