7th Dec, 2011 15:00

The Pavilion Gardens

 
  Lot 66
 

1966 Aston Martin DB6 Vantage

Sold for £123,750

(including buyers premium)


Lot details
Registration No: YYY333G
Chassis No: DB6/2490/R
Mot Expiry: May 2012

Introduced at the 1965 London Motorshow, the DB6 was notable for being the first Aston Martin model to be engineered following the company's move from Feltham to Newport Pagnell. Although, a direct development of the DB5, with the same visage, the newcomer enjoyed notably better high-speed stability thanks to the provision of a Kamm tail with built-in spoiler, and superior interior space courtesy of a 3.7-inch longer wheelbase and taller roofline. Grafted over a sheet steel platform chassis, the four-seater's hand-finished aluminium panels helped contribute to the claimed kerb weight of 3232lbs that was actually only 17lbs heavier than its predecessor. Praised by the contemporary motoring press for its poise and handling, the DB6 employed all-round coil-sprung suspension, four-wheel disc brakes and rack-and-pinion steering. Powered by the fabulous Tadek Marek designed 3995cc DOHC straight-six engine, the model could be had in standard tune, with 282bhp, or in Vantage form with a trio of triple Webers; in which case the output was 325bhp. Either unit could be mated with five-speed manual or automatic transmission. A contemporary road test by the legendary John Bolster achieved 6.1 seconds for the 0-60mph sprint and a maximum speed of 152mph.

A Mark II version of the DB6 was unveiled in August 1969 and is identified by its lightly flared arches housing the hubs and wider wheel/tyre package of the DBS. The seats were also shared with the then-new DBS. A fresh option was that of AE Brico electronic fuel injection. However, the system lacked proper development and many of the engines concerned were later converted by the Aston Martin service department to run on Weber carburettors. Some 1,750 DB6s were manufactured by the time the model was fully superseded by the DBS in February 1971, making it the most successful member of the DB4/DB5/DB6 lineage.

This particular DB6 is an original MKI Vantage model, one of only 268 MK1 Vantage saloons believed to have been built by the factory in right hand drive specification. It was assembled at Newport Pagnell on January 27th 1966 and first registered on March 8th. An early example, it features Superleggera motifs on either side of the bonnet (this practice ceased following the demise of Carrozzeria Touring of Milan in 1967). The Aston Martin was sold new through Nortons of Cardiff to a Mr W F Cartwright of the South Wales Steel Company in Port Talbot. Three further owners ensued before the DB6 was acquired by a Mrs P Zurcher in 1992. For a short period of her tenure it was cared for by marque specialist Desmond Smail before being shipped to Germany, where it is thought to have remained from 1994 to January 1997 under the registration 'K-AB 6666'. The car then came into the vendor's possession, at which point it regained its previous (but not original) UK registration, 'YYY 333G'.

The vendor believes the Aston was restored in the late '80s and the condition seems to bear this out, though there is no paper trail to confirm the fact. He was told the work included: an engine replacement and overhaul; bare metal respray; and extensive work on the body, chrome, electrical equipment and interior. The car was also fitted with a stainless steel exhaust and Waxoyled. While in its current ownership, 'YYY 333G' has been garaged and generally stored in a Carcoon when not in use - the car was off the road from 2002 until recommissioned between June and October this year by marque specialists Wren Classics of Shaftesbury, Dorset (the same company had previously maintained the vehicle, that has covered some 12,700 miles in the vendor's hands). The recommissioning included the fitting of new: battery, tyres, brake pads, steering rack mounts, engine mount, air filter, washer pump, oil filter, fuel pump and clutch hydraulics. The clutch was freed off and refitted, the brake fluid changed, the window lifts were repaired, an alternator was supplied and fitted, and the whole car cleaned and polished.

When restored, the DB6's original colour of Pacific Blue was retained and the original Black interior became Parchment. The vendor currently regards the interior as "excellent", the bodywork and five-speed manual ZF gearbox as "very good", the Vantage-tune engine as "very good/excellent" and the paintwork as "good". It is now being sold with considerable history, and tax and MOT into May of next year. The odometer currently indicates an unwarranted 74,626 miles. A well presented Aston Martin that has clearly been loved and cherished by its vendor.
 

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: The Pavilion Gardens, 7th Dec, 2011

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