Vehicle Description
To be OFFERED AT AUCTION at RM Sotheby's Santa Monica event, June
24, 2017.
Estimate:
$275,000 - $325,000 US
Factory upgraded 325-horsepower Vantage engine and ZF five-speed
transmission
A factory left-hand-drive example equipped from new with air
conditioning
Accompanied by a copy of its factory build sheet, documenting
extensive post-delivery service history
Beautiful and ideal for rallying and driving events
In 1958, Aston Martin introduced its revolutionary grand touring
sports saloon, the DB4, while its close successor came roaring onto
the world stage in 1963 as the famous DB5. By 1965, the series had
reached its ultimate development with the DB6, which was produced
in first series form until 1969. In the uprated Vantage state of
tune, the Tadek Marek-designed and race-proven inline six-cylinder
was perfected to produce 325 horsepower, while Touring of Milan's
celebrated coachwork design was by now stretched to accommodate a
wheelbase 3.75 inches longer than its predecessor, offering a more
refined ride with room in the back for actual adult passengers! The
addition of its advanced and pleasing Kamm-style tail crowned the
DB6's ravishing presence.
Many enthusiasts consider this final series of Touring-designed
Aston Martins to be the best of all, as they offered the most
sublime combination of gentlemanly luxury, sophisticated street
manners, and superior straight-line performance. As ever, starting
with the DB4, the world standard design features remained
first-rate with its overbuilt and understressed aluminum engine
block and head, triple Weber carburetors in Vantage form and four
corner disc brakes, with interior appointments of Connolly leather
trim, Wilton wool carpets belying its handbuilt nature. Now more
fully refined in the DB6, it is clothed in aluminum alloy
panelwork, as every post-war Aston Martin until the introduction of
the DB7 some 20 years later. Eye-wateringly expensive then, the DB6
offers superb value today in comparison to its predecessor
models.
According to its factory build sheet, a copy of which is on file,
the DB6 offered here is a factory left-hand-drive model, delivered
new to Captain E.D. Smith of St. Neots, Cambridgeshire. The build
sheet notes the 3.54:1 limited-slip rear differential, heated rear
window, Fiamm horns, Britax safety belts, Marchal fog lamps, chrome
wheels, and, notably, the desirable Normalair air conditioning, a
typical high-specification configuration for the Continental
market, despite its original English delivery location; it is
believed to have been used in France.
Further attachments to the build sheet note regular and
conscientious service at the factory during its first five years
and 24,719 miles of the car's life. It was thereafter upgraded, as
suggested by the factory service records, with the installation of
a correct factory Vantage-specification engine. In combination with
a ZF five-speed transmission, replacing the sluggish original
Borg-Warner automatic unit. This, along with its original A/C unit,
is considered the most desirable specification for a DB6.
Thereafter, in the 2000s, the car was restored to its present
appearance, in a beautiful, lustrous black, with a rich red leather
interior. The restoration has been exceedingly well-preserved and
shows only minor signs of wear, suggesting driving enjoyment
throughout, in particular in the care of its current owner, a
longtime and well-known enthusiast.
An ideal DB6 in the most desirable specification and superb
presentation, complete with an owner's handbook, this car is
perfectly suited for the tours and rallies of its new owner's
choosing, even show-worthy at AMOC or regional concours. It is
passionate British performance with elegance to match.
To view this car and others currently consigned to this auction,
please visit the RM website at rmsothebys.com/.