1967 Aston Martin DB6

The culmination of Aston Martin's long-running line of 'DB' six-cylinder sports saloons and thus considered by many to be the last 'real' Aston, the DB6 had been introduced in 1965, updating the DB5. Although recognisably related to the Touring-styled DB4 of 1958, the DB6 abandoned the Carrozzeria Touring-developed 'Superleggera' body structure of its predecessors in favour of a conventional steel fabrication while retaining the aluminium outer panels.

Increased rear-seat space was the prime DB6 objective so the wheelbase was now 4" longer than before, resulting in an extensive restyle with more-raked windscreen, raised roofline and reshaped rear quarter windows. Opening front quarter lights made a reappearance but the major change was at the rear where a 'Kamm tail' with spoiler improved the aerodynamics, greatly enhancing stability at high speeds. These many dimensional changes were integrated most successfully, as the DB6's overall length increased by only 2 inches.

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, complete with triple Webers. Borg-Warner automatic transmission was offered alongside the standard ZF five-speed gearbox, and for the first time, there was optional power-assisted steering.

This lovely DB6 was supplied by H.R. Owen on the 8th April 1967 and delivered to Mrs Dugan-Chapman, in Pacific Blue with Woburn Sand Connolly hide and an automatic gearbox. It's notable that she was married to Charles Dugan-Chapman, (born Ignacy Czajka), who grew to prominence as one of the elite band of fighter pilots of the Polish Air Force flying with the RAF during the Second World War. According to his obituary, dated 27th April 2002, he was discharged at the end of the war with the rank of Captain and awarded the Polish Cross of Valour and went on to establish Stewart Plastics which he sold for £30,000,000 in 1986.

According to correspondence between our vendor and the Aston's second owner, a Mr Stringer, it appears he bought the car from Mrs Dugan-Chapman at some point in 1975. In 1976/77 a persistent engine problem necessitated a factory replacement, supplied by Aston Martin, and Mr Stringer confirms that after the installation of the new engine the car only covered a further 1,000 miles before its sale to our vendor on the 1st November 1993. He purchased the car as a long-term restoration, and in July 2016 this was completed having been bare-metal resprayed and restored mechanically by 355 International of Surrey, at a cost of some £20,000. The restoration was too extensive to list here but included new wheels, fuel pump, enhanced JMB water pump, belts, brakes, headlining and wiring.

Mercifully the interior has been retained in original condition, and although showing wear, notably some torn stitching on the driver's shoulder bolster, the car stands as a testament to our vendor's sympathetic restoration. It is notable, that the speedometer is currently indicating 48,400 miles and our vendor has stated that the car has travelled less than 700 miles under his twenty-four year ownership, so the engine has only been run for a total of some 1,700 miles since its replacement in 1976/77.

The extensive history file, collated across two folders, shows a myriad of invoices, correspondence between the owners, a biography of the first owner's husband and a copy of page 7 of the Daily Telegraph dated 4th April of this year recounting how the car was stopped in its tracks by an inquisitive New Forest pony on our vendor's return journey from the Aston Martin meeting at Beaulieu.

To conclude, it is rare to see an Aston Martin of this era still finished in its original colour scheme and retaining its factory interior. The automatic gearbox is ideal if long distance touring is on the agenda and this delightful DB6 would be perfect for a blast down to the South of France when its increased interior space, extra luggage capacity, serious performance and high-speed stability would make it an excellent companion.

Please note that the private registration number is not included in the sale and retention proceedings have begun.