1966 Aston Martin DB6 Sports Saloon

Registration No: OPD 219D
Chassis No: DB6/2503/R
MOT: Exempt

• Subject to recent works to the cylinder head, big end bearings and rear axle by marque specialist RS Williams
• A UK market example originally supplied in the attractive colour scheme of Silver Birch over Bordeaux Connolly Hide
• Displaying matching chassis and engine numbers
• Understood to have been subject to restoration during the early 1990s
• Upgraded with a five-speed Tremec manual gearbox

Introduced at the 1965 London Motor Show, the Aston Martin DB6 shared the same famous visage as its DB5 predecessor but benefitted from a more commodious interior and better high-speed stability. Still clothed in aluminium over a steel substructure, the newcomer was barely any heavier despite incorporating a 3.75-inch longer wheelbase. Powered by the famous Tadek Marek-designed 3995cc DOHC straight-six engine in either standard (282bhp) or ‘Vantage’ (325bhp) tune, the two-door fixed-head could be had with ZF five-speed manual or Borg-Warner three-speed automatic transmission. A true four-seater, the DB6 attracted a select clientèle including King Charles III (then the Prince of Wales), Mick Jagger and Paul McCartney. Expensive and exclusive in equal measure, just 1,327 DB6 Mk. I saloons were made.

Silver Birch was the colour made famous by a certain Mr. Bond, and it is noticeable that very many DB4, DB5 and DB6 Aston Martins have, in the later stages of their life, been repainted silver in homage to Ian Fleming’s revered spy. This DB6, however, is the real deal – a matching-numbers (engine and chassis), RHD home-market car that was supplied brand-new in Silver Birch with a Red Connolly leather interior and which has been sympathetically renovated in its original colour scheme, as confirmed by a copy of the original build sheet, plus certification from Aston Martin Lagonda Ltd. and the British Motor Industry Heritage Trust.

The build sheet and BMIHT certificate also reveal that chassis DB6/2503/R was built on 3rd February, 1966, and despatched on 16th February to Botwoods Ltd. of Norwich, with original equipment including a Borg-Warner automatic gearbox, a 3.54:1 limited-slip differential, chrome wheels with three-ear hubcaps, a heated rear screen, a power-operated aerial, and Avon Turbo Speed GT tyres. Interestingly, the car originally served as the demonstrator for Botwoods, when it was registered ‘CCL 888D’.

A photograph which appears to date from the 1980s or early 1990s shows that the DB6 had been repainted dark green, retrimmed in black leather, and issued with its present registration number ‘OPD 219D’. However, by 1992, it had fallen into the sympathetic hands of Mr. Sol Saad, who owned it for over 10 years and was to a large extent responsible for bringing it up to its present standard. Mr. Saad presided over a very thorough overhaul, and we understand it was during this period that the car was returned to its original colour scheme and fitted with a Tremec five-speed gearbox, which it still retains.

Mr. Saad still owned 2503 as of 2006, but it changed hands several times before being purchased for the collection of the present owner in 2021. Throughout that time, the car was kept in storage, and a run of MOTs issued between 2015 and 2018 indicate that it covered fewer than 20 miles in that period. By the time the vendor welcomed it into his motor-house, the Aston was due another refresh, and it was duly overhauled by RS Williams between 2021 and 2023 for a sum in the region of £50,000. Work in 2021 included the refurbishment of the kingpins plus the fitting of new brake lines and shock links. In 2022, a few minor consumables were replaced and the interior console was retrimmed, while in 2023 the engine was disassembled and very thoroughly overhauled. The final stage of the refurbishment included the fitment of replacement SU carburettors and a new coil. The retrimming in 2022 was in accordance with the fitment of a standard but uprated Motorola radio into the console, while front and rear speakers were simultaneously installed.

With the work being completed, the vendor has enjoyed using the DB6 as intended, with visits to the Goodwood Revival and other longer excursions. He reports that it happily keeps up with modern traffic on motorways, so if one wished to spend a few weeks on the French Riviera à la 007, the DB6 could be the ideal car for the occasion. This specific car has been described as “one of the best-driving Astons.” In the vendor’s opinion, the car is ‘very good’ cosmetically – and 'excellent' mechanically. The paint is near-immaculate apart from some very minor stone chips, and while the passenger window was stuck when we viewed the car, we are advised that it will have been repaired by the time of the sale.

Complete with the current V5C, heritage certificates, invoices dating back to 1992 and MOTs dating back to 1994, there can be no doubt that this DB6 has been very well looked-after, and it is undoubtedly every bit as lovely as an Aston Martin should be.

For more information, please contact:
Lucas Gomersall
lucas.gomersall@handh.co.uk
07484 082430