Description
This car is Lot 107 to be auctioned by Bonhams|Cars at the Goodwood Members' Meeting Sale on the 13th April, please see the Bonhams website for full details.
Public Viewing:
Available Saturday 12th April from 09:00 until 17:00 and Sunday 13 April from 09:00, at Goodwood Members' Meeting.
Lot 107
1970 Aston Martin DB6 Mark 2 Sports Saloon to Vantage Specification
Registration no. ARP 363J
Chassis no. DB6MK2FI/ 4166/ R
Four owners from new
Automatic transmission
Factory-converted to triple Weber carburettors
Present ownership since 2001
Professionally maintained regardless of cost
"On taking over the DB6 one is immediately astonished by its flexibility. In spite of multiple carburettor chokes, it will idle through traffic like a dowager's limousine and will accelerate on a high gear in a manner which is rare even among the biggest V8 power units." - John Bolster, Autosport, 21st October 1966 (reviewing the DB6 Vantage).
The culmination of Aston-Martin's long-running line of 'DB' six-cylinder sports saloons, the DB6 was introduced in 1965. Recognisably related to the Carrozzeria Touring-styled DB4 of 1958, the DB6 abandoned the Superleggera body structure of its predecessors in favour of a conventional steel fabrication. Despite the change, the body shop continued to apply 'Superleggera' badges until stocks ran out!
The wheelbase was now 4" longer than before, resulting in an extensive re-style with more-raked windscreen, raised roofline and reshaped rear quarter windows. Opening front quarter lights made a re-appearance, but the major change was at the rear where a Kamm-style tail with spoiler improved the aerodynamics, greatly enhancing stability at high speeds.
The Tadek Marek-designed six-cylinder engine had been enlarged to 3, 995cc for the preceding DB5 and remained unchanged. Power output on triple SU carburettors was 282bhp, rising to 325bhp in Vantage specification. Borg-Warner automatic transmission was offered alongside the standard ZF five-speed gearbox, and for the first time there was optional power-assisted steering.
With the introduction of the DB6 Mark 2 in July 1969, the final incarnation of the concluding DB Series, begun in 1958 by the DB4, had arrived. The DB6 Mark 2 incorporated many components shared with the new DBS, most obviously the latter's wider wheels, which necessitated flaring the front and rear wheelarches. Power assisted steering was now standard, while the option of AE Brico fuel injection, fitted to 46 of the 245 DB6 Mark 2s made, was the most significant mechanical development.
Originally finished in Aquamarine with a Sage Green leather upholstery, this automatic-transmission DB6 Mark 2 was delivered new to a Mr A Dutton, and was subsequently sold (in 1976) to its second owner, a Mr K Brickwood, before passing to the immediately preceding owner, Mr A Howell, an AMOC member, in 1981. The latter, a Chartered Mechanical Engineer with a motor industry background, serviced the car himself and maintained it in excellent original condition, unmodified in any way apart from conversion by the factory from Brico injection to Vantage specification with triple-Weber carburettors in 1974. While in Mr Brickwood's ownership the car achieved an impressive tally of concours placings, including 3rd in the Mortimer Hill Concours (1976); 2nd at the Newport Pagnell Concours (1978); 1st at both the Knebworth Concours (1978) and the Birtsmorton Court Concours (1979); and 2nd place in the Elite Class at Birtsmorton in 1980.
The current vendor purchased the DB6 at Bonhams' sale at Aston Martin Works Service, Newport Pagnell in May 2001 (Lot 188A) and had it recommissioned by renowned marque specialists R S Williams Ltd. Since then he has covered over 40, 000 miles in the car over the course of nearly 25 years of enjoyable ownership. The Aston has been treated as a real driver's car and part of the family, being used for many a trip to the Outer Hebrides among other destinations. The car is fitted with power steering to improve drivability.
A complement of bills for servicing and maintenance works carried out is on file, covering the period December 1973 to May 2024, in recent years mostly from Aston Service London. The car was bare-metal resprayed in Silver Birch by Handman & Collis Ltd in 2006-2007, and an engine, chassis and gearbox restoration was carried out by Aston Service London in 2009-2010. More recently, the sills were replaced by Aston Service London. The car also comes with Aston Martin correspondence; a workshop manual, expired MoTs dating back to 1975; concours correspondence; a vast history file of invoices documenting the restoration; and a large selection of restoration photographs.
All lots are sold 'as is/ where is' and Bidders must satisfy themselves as to the provenance, condition, age, completeness and originality prior to bidding. Visit the Bonhams|Cars website for all pertinent auction information.
