Description
H&H Classic Auction @ The Imperial War Museum, Duxford/ Cambridgeshire
9th October, 2024 13:00
1967 Aston Martin DB6
Recent 2, 500 hour marque specialist restoration (900 miles ago)
Estimate
£250, 000 - £300, 000
Registration No: FFL 6
Chassis No: DB6/ 3280/ R
MOT: May 2025
- Entered from The Merlin Collection
- The subject of an exhaustive 2, 500 hour restoration by marque specialist Richards of England which is photographically documented in an accompanying hardback book
- A desirable 'home market' example boasting matching chassis and engine numbers
- Uprated to 4. 2 litre 'Vantage' specification and fitted with a Harvey Bailey handling kit as part of the renovation
- Refinished in its original and iconic Platinum Silver hue
- Thoroughly debugged over 900 post-refurbishment miles
Introduced at the 1965 London Motor Show, the Aston Martin DB6 shared the same iconic visage as its DB5 predecessor but benefited 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 Merak 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 clientele including King Charles III (then the Prince of Wales), Mick Jagger and Paul McCartney. Expensive and exclusive in equal measure, just 1, 327 DB6 MK1 saloons were made.
According to its accompanying British Motor Industry Heritage Trust Certificate, this particular example – chassis DB6/ 3280/ R – was completed on 24th November 1967. Finished in the classic, James Bond-esque combination of Platinum Silver with Black leather upholstery, the Aston Martin was despatched to Callanders Garages Ltd of Glasgow some six days later. Although, copy records on file show that it made frequent return trips to Newport Pagnell for servicing up until the mid-1970s (at an indicated 61, 992 miles). Repainted White at some stage, the DB6 spent several decades in Japan before being repatriated during 2016. Complete but somewhat dilapidated, the four-seater was subsequently entrusted to marque specialist Richards of England for a 2, 500-hour, body off restoration. The work took place between 2018 and 2020 and resulted in what the Lincolnshire-based company described as ‘a car of unparalleled quality’ (indeed, chassis DB6/ 3280/ R is still proudly featured on their website). Much of the refurbishment was carried out inhouse but Richards of England turned to acknowledged experts Bodylines for two new aluminium door skins and a replacement nose section (the latter hand formed using a wooden buck). Craig Taylor Engineering of Bourne were responsible for not only overhauling the original engine (number 400/ 3360) and uprating it to 4. 2-litre ‘Vantage’ specification complete with revised camshaft profiles and triple Weber carburettors but also rejuvenating the limited slip differential equipped back axle. A Harvey Bailey handling kit was installed along with telescopic rear shock absorbers and a Tremec five-speed manual gearbox. Remembering various Aston Martins that his father and elder brother had owned, the vendor was drawn to chassis DB6/ 3280/ R because of the photographically chronicled depth of its renovation.
Taking delivery in November 2020, he set about a thorough shakedown as well as devising a programme of alterations for the DB6. Conscious that freshly restored cars typically require ‘debugging’ he went through the car stem to stern and decided to swap the modern Tremec five-speed gearbox for a correct-type, period ZF 5-speed unit and reinstate the ‘Selectaride’ rear shock absorbers (he has left the mounting brackets for the telescopics should a future custodian wish to utilise them). Marque specialist Aston Workshop supplied all the parts necessary for the transmission conversion as well a tool roll. Having covered just under 900 post-restoration miles, ‘FFL 6’ is now thoroughly well sorted and ‘on the button’. Cosmetically, it remains highly impressive with the lustrous Platinum Silver paintwork contrasting beautifully with the Red Connolly leather upholstery and gleaming brightwork. Given that the guide price could quite easily be exceeded by the cost of a similar marque specialist renovation, ‘FFL 6’ is worthy of close inspection. Offered for sale with V5C Registration Document, Heritage Certificate, history file, Lake & Elliot ‘Millennium’ jack and leatherbound book.
