Michael Satterfield
TGR Staff
Spotted this on the Bonhams website and wanted to share it, this 66 DB6 has been with the same owner since 1972. In 1990 it got a mechanical restoration, which I kind of like that it still has its original paint and interior. They are expecting it to bring up to $120,000 at auction. If you want it head across the pond to the Oxford auction next week.
Last-of-the-line models are always sought after by discerning collectors and few are more highly prized that the final flowering of the glorious ‘David Brown’ six-cylinder series, considered by many to the last of the ‘real’ Aston Martins. The culmination of this long-running line of ‘DB’ sports saloons, the DB6 was introduced in 1965. Recognisably related to the Touring-styled DB4 of 1958, the DB6 abandoned the Superleggera body structure of its predecessors in favor of a conventional steel fabrication clad in aluminum panels. The wheelbase was now 4″ longer than before, resulting in an extensive restyle with more-raked windscreen, raised roofline and reshaped rear quarter windows. Opening front quarter lights made a reappearance but the major change was at the rear where a Kamm-style tail with spoiler improved the aerodynamics, greatly enhancing stability at high speeds.
‘The tail lip halves the aerodynamic lift around maximum speed and brings in its train greater headroom and more luggage space,’ revealed Motor magazine, concluding that the DB6 was one of the finest sports cars it had tested. ‘The DB6 with its longer wheelbase and better headroom makes an Aston Martin available to the far wider four-seater market, and the design is in every way superior to the previous model. A purist might have thought that the longer wheelbase would affect the near-perfect balance of the DB5, but if anything the DB6 is better.’
The Tadek Marek-designed six-cylinder engine had been enlarged to 3,995cc for the preceding DB5 and remained unchanged. Power output on triple SU carburetors was 282bhp, rising to 325bhp in Vantage specification. Borg-Warner automatic transmission was offered alongside the standard ZF five-speed manual gearbox, and for the first time, there was optional power-assisted steering.
A desirable manual transmission model, ‘2607/R’ has had three owners from new when it was acquired by the current vendor in 1972. In the 1990s the Aston was the subject of extensive refurbishment: the engine and gearbox being overhauled by Oselli (and the former converted to unleaded compatibility) while the chassis was repaired and new sills fitted by Chapman Spooner. We are advised by the vendor that the car would now benefit from further improvement: the paintwork, driver’s door and interior trim all requiring attention. Finished in Pacific Blue with grey leather interior, the car benefits from the provision of a (factory-fitted) sunroof and is offered with current MoT/tax and old-style logbook. All bills accumulated between 1972 and the present day are available for inspection.
