The third important Aston Martin six-cylinder sports car of the 1960s, the DB6, was built between 1965 and 1970. Despite a lot of styling cues from the DB4 and DB5, its mission was expanded to become a four-passenger car, which involved lengthening the wheelbase by four inches. The windshield was raked and the roof rose about an inch in the rear for more headroom, but the biggest change was in the car’s fastback styling.
The Tickford-built body terminated in a handsome, curved Kamm tail which wasn’t only aesthetic, but actually increased high-speed stability. The new design was a good idea on a car that could do as much as 155 mph, assuming you opted for the DOHC four-liter, 325-horsepower Vantage engine. What made the DB6 Vantage model unique was the addition of three Weber carburetors, which increased the engine's power output and gave it an even more distinctive sound.
There were 1,327 examples of the Mk I produced until July 1969.
Regardless of road reports from the day, nobody argued about whether or not the DB6 was a more user-friendly car. Aside from being a legitimate (if cramped) four-seater, the DB6 had optional air conditioning. Vantage-spec cars were also noted for their ease of acceleration, and their comfortable top speed, which approached 150 mph.
This DB6 was completed on 19th March 1966 and despatched to Eton Motor Group on 28th April that year. The original colour scheme was Silver Birch with black trim, and the car left the factory equipped with a heated rear window and an electric aerial. The first documented history on file is an MoT dated 6th May 1983 at 24,016 miles.
It is clear that at an early stage in its life '2626/R' was fitted with the present Vantage engine. The vendor's researches through the AMOC suggest this was done under warranty either at the factory or a main dealer. There is no record of this engine being fitted to any other car so it was probably a factory-built spare. It is equally likely that the car was re-badged at the same time. The original triple SU carburettors were retained, probably as they were easier to maintain than triple Webers, a not unusual practice. When the sunroof was fitted is not known, but it also has all the hallmarks of having been done either at the factory or a main dealer. At some stage the car was re-sprayed red and re-upholstered in pale cream with beige carpets. The heated rear window was also replaced with a standard window.
On 16th August 1984 the DB6 was acquired by a Mr Geoff Pashley of Cheltenham. The car was MoTd on 18th August 1984 at 24,541 miles. It is assumed that Mr Pashley was a motor dealer. Shortly thereafter the car passed to a Mr T R Mills of Stonehouse, Gloucestershire, very likely through Plough Motors of Stroud Valley, Stonehouse, whose sticker is in the rear window.
On 5th September 1984 the Aston was sold for £6,500 to Mr Robert J Stiling, an architect who lived in Brownshill, Gloucestershire. He was a car enthusiast and a friend of the vendor since their university days in the late 1960s. Mr Stiling drove the car for around two years and then took it off the road in 1987 for an extensive renovation, which, mainly due to force of financial circumstances and ill health, took 23 years. To the vendor's certain knowledge the car was not used at all throughout this time. The restoration included extensive work on the chassis and a re-spray. The engine was not rebuilt and it is understood that it remains in the same state overall as it was when Mr Stiling acquired it.
11th May 2010 the DB6 was MoT'd and put back on the road at a recorded mileage of 27,596. Unfortunately, by this time Mr Stiling's health had deteriorated and he was unable to drive the car himself, but as a named driver the vendor was able to take it and him on several local rallies. On 7th December 2011 ownership was transferred to the vendor, and since then the car has undergone annual services and MoT teats and has been in constant use. Works carried out include fitting Koni shock absorbers in pace of the Selectaride type; overhauling the brake servo; replacing the carburettor floats; fitting stainless steel exhaust manifolds; re-upholstering and re-carpeting including boot; re-spraying the nearside door and fitting a new electric window winder motor to same; fitting electronic ignition and fuel pump; fitting new exhaust brackets; fitting a new steering wheel; and installing a radio (the original radio went missing during restoration).
Always stored in a dry garage and carefully maintained, this well documented DB6 Vantage comes with an original owner's handbook; copy workshop manual; and a good history file containing bills and invoices. The current odometer reading is 37,824 miles.
Condition Report Score Total: 81/100
Production date | 19.03.1966 |
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Body Type | Coupe |
Engine | 3.996 ccm, 330 PS, I6 |
transmission | Manual |
Steering | Right Hand Drive |
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Layout | Rear Wheel Drive |
Color - exterior | Red |
Color - interior | Cream / Beige |
Miles/Kilometers shown | 37.824 mls |
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Chassis / VIN | DB62626R |
Location - Country | Czechia |
Location - City | Hradec Kralove |
2-door coupe body type; RWD (rear-wheel drive), manual 5-speed gearbox; gasoline (petrol) engine with displacement: 3996 cm3 / 243.7 cui, advertised power: 242.5 kW / 325 hp / 330 PS (net), torque: 393 Nm; characteristic dimensions: outside length: 4623 mm, width: 1676 mm, wheelbase: 2584 mm; reference weights: base curb weight: 1474 kg; top speed: 260 km/h (162 mph) (declared by factory); accelerations: 0-60 mph 5.9 s; 0-100 km/h 6.2 s
Jablonec nad Nisou, Czechia
Jablonec nad Nisou, Czechia
Pisek, Czechia
Litomerice, Czechia
Litomerice, Czechia
Litomerice, Czechia