1968 Aston Martin DB6

Lot details
Registration No: PUA424G
Chassis No: DB6/3473/R
Mot Expiry: Oct 2012

Launched at the 1965 London Motorshow, the DB6 was the final iteration of a series that had begun with the DB4 seven years before. That landmark model had featured a new platform chassis conceived by Harold Beech, topped by a cage of small diameter tubes clothed in hand-made alloy body panels. The process, known as superleggera (lightweight), was evolved by Carrozzeria Touring of Milan and employed under licence by Aston Martin at its Newport Pagnell plant.

The DB4 was powered by an all-aluminium straight-six engine of 3670cc, conceived in house by the company's Polish designer Tadek Marek. Braking was by servo-assisted discs all round. The front suspension was independent by wishbones and coil springs, while the rear featured a coil-sprung live axle. Steering was by rack and pinion. The DB4 was progressively developed through five 'Series'.

More evolution than revolution, the ensuing DB5 was still a significant step forward when it took to the stage in 1963. Courtesy of a new 3995cc 282bhp triple carburettor version of Marek's masterpiece, it was now capable of almost 150mph and could reach 60mph in a whisker over seven seconds. Initially there was the option of a five-speed ZF gearbox, but this soon became the standard fitment. The car's general specification had also improved and now included: an alternator in place of the dynamo, reclining seats, pile carpets, electric windows, tinted glass and four silencers for the exhaust.

So to the DB6. Having rejected Carrozzeria Touring's proposals for a DB5 replacement, Aston Martin set about developing the newcomer in-house. The major aims were to create a car with better handling and more interior space. Wind tunnel tests showed the need for aerodynamic down-force to counteract a tendency to lose traction at high speed and a Kamm-type tail (as developed for the company's 'Project' race cars) was duly added. The roofline was raised by two inches and the overall length increased by the same amount, giving rise to more headroom, legroom and boot space. As the DB6's bigger bodyshell was unsuitable for the superleggera construction of the DB4 and DB5, the more conventional body-on-frame technique was employed and the superleggera badges removed from the bonnet. Other features that distinguished a DB6 from its predecessor include: opening front quarter lights, oil-cooler air scoop, quarter bumpers front and rear, a more steeply raked windscreen, chrome wire wheels as standard, optional power steering and air conditioning, and automatic transmission as a no-cost option. The engines were carried over from the DB5, the triple-SU standard unit offering around 282bhp and the triple-Weber one of the Vantage giving nearer 325bhp.

A Mark 2 version of the DB6 was unveiled in August 1969 and can be identified by its lightly flared wheel arches housing the hubs and wider wheel/tyre package of the DBS. Some 1,750 DB6s were manufactured by the time the model was fully superseded by the DBS in February 1971, making it the most successful member of the DB4/DB5/DB6 lineage.

The example on sale is a MKI model which was originally finished in Silver Birch Metallic complemented by a Dark Blue interior and equipped with automatic transmission and power assisted steering. The supplying dealer was Arnold G. Wilson of Leeds who sold it new to the Moore Manufacturing Company of Bradford. Three years later it passed to G.M. Hewson of Baildon and then to John Hague of Teeside a year after that. By 1978 it was in the hands of J. Cockerill of Sansend near Whitby, who retained it for some seven years before it was sold via the local Meadowfield Garage to Alastair Russell of Ontario. He duly shipped it out to Canada for a while after having a new electric window motor and oil cooler fitted by Lesbourne Garages of Reigate.

The vendor acquired the Aston for his private car collection in 1993, since when it has continued to be regularly MOT'd - the current certificate is valid into October 2012 - but covered just 558 miles; giving an unwarranted total of 65,732 from new. He informs us that the interior leather and carpets are "in excellent condition for their age, as is the paintwork" and considers the engine and transmission to be "good". He is now selling 'PUA 424G' complete with appropriate history and hopes that it will give "good and faithful service" to the next owner.