21st Sep, 2011 15:00

Imperial War Museum Duxford

 
  Lot 42
 

1970 Aston Martin DB6 Mark 2 Vantage

Sold for £213,750

(including buyers premium)


Lot details
Registration No: 85 GCG
Chassis No: DB6MK2/4181/R
Mot Expiry: March 2012

Entering production in July 1969 but not formally unveiled for another month, the rakishly elegant DB6 Mk2 was the ultimate evolution of the iconic Aston Martin DB4/DB5/DB6 line. Sharing the same sheet steel platform chassis as its immediate predecessor complete with all-round coil-sprung suspension (independent double wishbone front, trailing arm / beam axle rear), four-wheel disc brakes and Armstrong Select-a-ride adjustable rear shock absorbers, the newcomer nevertheless incorporated a host of detail improvements. Sharper and more responsive to drive thanks to wider wheels and fatter tyres (hence the need for its trademark flared wheelarches), the Mk2 also benefited from the provision of standard-fit power assisted rack and pinion steering. Automatic transmission remained a `no cost' option, while cars equipped with the five-speed ZF manual gearbox gained a lower first gear ratio and more positive Borg & Beck clutch. The fabulous Tadek Marek designed 3995cc DOHC straight-six engine could be had with a nascent form of electronic fuel injection. However, the majority of buyers wisely opted for carburettor-fed variants in standard (triple SU, 282bhp) or high-performance Vantage (triple Weber, 325bhp) tune. Indeed so troublesome did the AE Brico EFI system prove that several Mk2s were converted to Vantage specification by the factory. Revised seating both front and rear meant that the last of the classic DB-series family could also lay claim to being the most comfortable. Only in production until November 1970, just 239 DB6 Mk2 saloons are thought to have been made (of which a mere 46 and 71 were reputedly to Fuel Injected and Vantage specification respectively).

According to its accompanying British Motor Industry Heritage Trust Certificate, this particular example had been fitted with a Radiomobile radio, fuel injection, manual transmission and two seatbelts by the time it left the assembly line on 29th April 1970. The same piece of paper also contains the caveat `cars were sometimes modified by the manufacturer after production and prior to shipment' and gives the date of despatch as 14th January 1971. The nine month gap is interesting because a copy of the original logbook on file proves that (a) Greater London Council issued the Mk2 with the number plate `DYN 169J' on 10th November 1970 and (b) its first owner - Colonel Alan Wilson of Birch Field House, Dollar, Scotland - took delivery some four weeks later. The factory ID plate affixed to the bulkhead records the saloon's chassis and engine numbers as `DB6Mk2/4181/R' and `400/4470/VC', while the engine's cylinder block is clearly stamped with the number `400/4470/VC' (the `VC' suffix, which stands for Vantage C-type, appears to be an alteration). Given the troubles Aston Martin encountered with the AE Brico fuel injection system, it seems likely that the Mk2 was upgraded to carburettor-fed Vantage tune whilst still under warranty. If 14th January 1971 is taken to be the date on which the DB6 left Newport Pagnell for the second time then its inclusion on the BMIHT Certificate begins to make sense especially as a multi-page report in the history file compiled by William Morrison of MotorHistorica makes mention of the current engine number `400/4470/VC' appearing as a handwritten addendum to the car's factory build sheet.

Mr Morrison's research also yielded an extensive list of former keepers. Thus after Colonel Alan Wilson we know that the car passed to John Lomax of Castle House, Woodbridge (May 1974), John Kelsall of Maple Court, Woodbridge (October 1976), George Charles Goddard of Ashford, Middlesex (June 1977), Dennis Ryalls of High St, St Albans (but only for the purposes of transferring the number plate `85 GCG', February 1979), George Charles Goddard again (February 1979), Paradise Garage of London (November 1983), Karim Ghavami of Sanderlands Grove, Walton on the Hill (December 1983), Rolf Rothermel of Foxenden Manor, Newnham (February 1985), M.C. Monzanera of Sittingbourne, R.S. Williams of London (July 1988), Ian Warrener of Auckland Road, London (September 1988), David Corben of Roehampton, London (who later commissioned the MotorHistorica dossier, February 1989), Nicholas Mee of London and Nicholas Wiles of Malmesbury, Wiltshire (February 2004) before entering the current ownership some eighteen months ago. The Mk2's copious service records date back to September 1985 when R.S. Williams Ltd was looking after it for Rolf Rothermel (the renowned marque specialist's name is still proudly displayed on both number plates). Showing an unwarranted 13,864 miles to its odometer at the time, the DB6 was treated to a new balanced clutch unit, overhauled propshaft, refurbished power steering and general servicing. While the following year at an indicated 16,164 miles it was uprated with later type brake servos. Repainted in its current Olive Green Metallic livery by Libra Coachworks of Herne Hill, London during late 1988, `85 GCG' then underwent a pre-delivery check at R.S. Williams Ltd prior to being supplied to short-term custodian Ian Warrener (the mileage reading having risen to 21,301).

During his fifteen-year stewardship David Corben predominantly entrusted the four-seater to Ian Mason of North Kensington (another well respected Aston Martin specialist). Surviving invoices reveal that the following works were carried out: exchange oil cooler, new rear discs, rejuvenated front / rear shock absorbers (July 1989, 22,288 miles), 5,000 mile service, new front wheel bearings, replacement handbrake cables, fresh clutch slave cylinder (May 1991, 23,327 miles), 2,500 mile service, front discs reground, front hubs refurbished, anti-roll bar bushes renewed, new condenser / points / plugs (February 1993, 23,778 miles), 2,500 mile service, new reversing light switch, replacement front brake pipes (October 1993, 24,312 miles), power steering pump overhauled (April 1995, 25,166 miles), 2,500 miles service, new fuel pump, replacement front wheel bearings, fresh front suspension bump stop rubbers, new nearside steering rack gaiters (April 1997, 26,434 miles), 2,500 mile service, overhauled rev counter, new trafficator relay units, replacement screen washer pump (October 1998, 27,377 miles), annual service, new fan / power steering belts, replacement stop light switch (February 2000, 28,388 miles), pre Continental journey check over (September 2000, 28,757 miles), cylinder head overhauled and converted for unleaded fuel, new timing chains, service exchange radiator, all coolant hoses / clips renewed (November 2000, 29,637 miles), annual service, new front wheel bearings, replacement nearside steering rack gaiters, service exchange offside rear shock absorber, fresh axle strap (April 2003, 31,723 miles).

As well as selling the Mk2 to Nicholas Wiles in December 2003, Nicholas Mee & Company Ltd also maintained it for him: 10,000 mile service (March 2006, 32,988 miles), 5,000 miles service (March 2007, 33,495 miles), 2,500 mile service, refurbished carburettors (May 2008, 33,940 miles). Though, Broughtons Aston Martin also fettled the DB6 for Mr Wiles (April 2009, 34,084 miles). The vendor has had several Aston Martins attended to by Spray Tec Restorations Ltd of Wellingborough and so asked them to perform a general underside inspection and report on `85 GCG' shortly after purchase. The award winning restorer found no need for structural work but did install a new engine telescopic damper and eight fresh anti-roll bar link bushes (May 2010, 34,776 miles). Starting readily upon inspection and showing good oil pressure, the grand tourer is described by the seller as being in "good" condition with regard to its engine, gearbox, bodywork, paintwork and electrical equipment, while he rates the beige leather upholstery which was renewed by Tove Trimming of Towcester in late 1999 as "excellent". Riding on chrome wire wheels and sporting a concealed radio / CD stereo head unit (hidden behind the dummy centre console speaker grille), this rare DB6 Mk2 is worthy of close inspection. Having covered some 21,500 well-documented miles over the past twenty-six years, it is offered for sale with two history folders (comprising the BMIHT Certificate, MotorHistorica report and numerous R.S. Williams Ltd, Ian Mason and Nicholas Mee invoices etc) not to mention a current MOT certificate valid until March 23rd 2012.
 

All successful bids must be paid in full by midday the day after the auction at the latest.

You can collect your new pride and joy from our venue until 1pm the day following the sale or our partners are on hand to help arrange safe transportation:

               

Auction: Imperial War Museum Duxford, 21st Sep, 2011

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