• Year of manufacture 
    1968
  • Car type 
    Other
  • Lot number 
    163
  • Drive 
    RHD
  • Condition 
    Used
  • Location
    United Kingdom
  • Exterior colour 
    Silver

Description

Estimate:
£550,000 - £650,000

  • One of just 140 DB6 Mk I Volantes ever produced
  • Original right-hand-drive, London-delivery example
  • Restored by Aston Martin Works at a cost in excess of £100,000

The image of the quintessential British gentleman is exemplified no more fittingly than with Aston Martin’s iconic DB series of sports cars, produced during David Brown’s ownership. The last of the series, the DB6, drove better, looked better, and even held more people—truly the best of the line.

Production of the new Aston Martin DB6 was heralded by a display at the London Motor Show in October 1965, with its open-top version debuting in 1966. Though latterly called the ‘DB6 Volante’, the convertible version of the DB6 followed the nomenclature of the DB5-based Short Chassis Volante, simply designated ‘Volante’. With following models, the term would become Aston Martin’s signature term for its convertible variants.

According to the build sheet on file, chassis DBVC/3677/R was supplied new in March 1968 via H R Owen Ltd to Mr J Fenton, Esq, of London N6. Finished in metallic Chrome Aluminium coachwork with black Connolly leather interior and black carpet, the Volante was highly optioned. Mr Fenton equipped his new Volante with the ZF five-speed manual transmission, alongside the optional extras of chrome road wheels, three-ear spinners, power-operated aerial, front seat belts, Marchal quart-iodine spot lamps, Fiamm horns, a Wasso steering lock, a Blaupunkt New Yorker radio, and a tonneau cover.

By the late 1970s/early 1980s, the Volante was owned by a Mrs J Rubeck of Redhill, Surrey. In the early 1990s the car was acquired by Mr J L M Fruytier of Amsterdam, Netherlands, and during his ownership it was serviced and maintained by marque specialist Desmond Smail of Olney, Buckinghamshire, as evidenced by numerous bills on file. Following two more owners, the current vendor purchased the Volante in 2006.

Throughout the current ownership, the DB6 has benefitted from a no-expense-spared approach to its maintenance, which has been entrusted to Aston Martin Works and respected marque specialists R S Williams Ltd. In 2012, chassis DBVC/3677/R underwent a major body refurbishment at Aston Martin Works. Works carried out included completely stripping down the body and removing the interior, hood, glass, and doors. Repairs were then made to the chassis, sills, and doors, with replacement panels fabricated and fresh metal welded in wherever necessary. The completed body was then resprayed silver and the interior fully retrimmed in ‘last of the roll’ original oil-based Connolly leather.

In April 2014, ‘3677/R’ was sent to R S Williams for servicing and routine maintenance, which included an overhaul of the front suspension and fitting a service/exchange upper water radiator. Several RSW upgrades were fitted at the same time, including front road springs, horns and horn bracket, cooling modifications, and throttle bell-crank lever. Having covered under 2,000 miles since the 2012 restoration, this beautiful DB6 Volante remains in generally excellent condition and has recently been serviced by RSW.To view this car and others currently consigned to this auction, please visit the RM website at rmsothebys.com/en/auctions/lf19.


RM Sotheby's
5 Heron Square
Richmond
TW9 1EL
United Kingdom
Contact Person Kontaktperson
Title 
Mr
First name 
Augustin
Last name 
Sabatie-Garat

Phone 
+44-2078517070