Estimated Price: £450,000 - £550,000

Premiered at the 1965 London Motor Show, the DB6 Volante marked the first occasion the evocative 'Volante' name had been applied to a soft top Aston Martin. After 37 convertibles had been completed on the DB5 short-wheelbase chassis, the model adopted the longer DB6 chassis in October 1966. By 1969, however, Aston was winding down production of the DB6 which was now over a decade old and, as attention turned towards the newer, more modern-looking DBS, Aston Martin unveiled a final swan song, the DB6 Mk2. Distinguishable by its flared wheel arches and DBS wheels, the Mk2 was fitted with power-assisted steering as standard and could be ordered with AE Brico electronic fuel injection. When DB6 production ceased in 1970, a total of 1,575 saloons had been made, plus 178 of the long-wheelbase Volante convertibles (140 Mk1 versions and only 38 Mk2s) with one of these later cars being allocated to Her Majesty the Queen who gave it to Prince Charles on his 21st Birthday.

The Royal DB6 undoubtedly enjoyed its '15 minutes of fame', however the remarkable Mk2 Volante, #DBMK2/VC/3774/R on offer here has played a much more significant role in the story of the DB6. One of those original 38 Mk2 Volantes, it left the factory in June 1970 and today enjoys an extensive history file showing regular maintenance from renown Aston Specialists like Aston Engineering and Desmond Smail and also documents every owner from new.

In 2007, Aston Works were instructed to discreetly source the best Mk2 Volante available. This very car was chosen and supplied through Mr Kingsley Riding-Felce, an Aston Martin main board director. The appeal was its known comprehensive history, its recent Vantage upgrade, restoration and manual gearbox conversion by Aston Engineering, and the beautiful colour combination of Old English White with red leather . It remained in Aston’s ownership and lightly used until 2018 when Aston had been working on an ‘EV’ solution for their ‘Heritage’ models as part of their wider EV strategy by creating the first reversible EV powertrain concept. It was important that development of the reversible ‘Cassette’ concept for the older cars was sympathetic, enabling the cars originality and provenance to be maintained. Aston stated at the time, “Given the historical significance of these collectors’ cars, it’s vital that any EV conversion is sympathetic to the integrity of the original car”.

In 2018, development was quite advanced and this very car, #DBMK2/VC/3774/R, was selected to demonstrate this technology due to its outstanding condition and originality and was the very first car to be fitted with the radical new EV powertrain. The original running gear was obviously kept securely at the factory whilst the car made its way around Europe in 2019 demonstrating Aston’s exciting new EV technology. There are many YouTube videos and press releases during this period in which #3774 features, wearing the world-famous plate ‘1 AML’ and it was also greeted with much enthusiasm when paraded around the GP circuit in Monaco.

After this DB6’s illustrious promotional life in 2019 was over, (and the factory deciding not to pursue electric conversions), Aston Works set about returning the car to its original running gear, including its matching numbers original engine, thanks to the fully reversible ‘Cassette’ powertrain concept. There are internal invoices in the accompanying history file showing the significant amount of work and expenditure that went into the car to get it running as was originally intended. The quality of this reinstatement was such that the finished car enjoyed a class win in that year’s AMOC Concours d’Elegance.

Subsequently, #3774 went into private ownership during COVID when it was purchased by Iconic Auctioneers Chairman and founder, Nick Whale. During his tenure, in March 2022, just over £5,000 was spent with Aston Works again with invoices on file for new suspension bushes, a new engine damper, and a major service etc. 

But it was in 2025 when Nick decided to carry out a major renovation under the bonnet area. The engine was stripped, and then rebuilt with a new sump fitted and all ancillary components replaced with new. At the same time the whole under-bonnet area, including the inner wings, was restored to a factory standard and factory finish with all visible components, including brake master cylinders, brake pipes, HT leads, distributor, coil and every chromed nut and bolt replaced. At the same time the gearbox was checked and a new clutch fitted and the Weber carburettors stripped and rebuilt along with tappets being checked and set etc. This work, carried out at Henry’s Car Barn by Pennant Classics, cost well over £30,000. The car now looked as well as it drove. In June 2026, prior to a long trip, the car was sent to revered Aston specialist, Des Smail, for a check and inspection which revealed a leak from one rear damper. As a result both rear dampers were replaced as well as an annual service and all work as recommended by Des ~ and a further £5,000 spent. All of which means the car is today one of the best driving DB6 Volantes in the world with zero scuttle shake, great performance and handling whilst maintaining a sublime ride.

The electric hood works perfectly, it starts instantly, ticks over very smoothly on its triple Weber twin-chokes, and all the controls work, even the electric aerial! It is absolutely ‘on its toes’ and driven regularly by its highly enthusiastic known owner.

Only 38 DB6 MkII Volantes were ever built and with the King owning one, this is effectively one of only 37. It's still fitted with its original engine, upgraded to Vantage-spec and a manual gearbox, and is now ready to be enjoyed as an excellent car to drive and an excellent long-term investment with no expense needed. Pre-COVID these cars were worth a million pounds and may well be again. An absolute unique opportunity today and it is here to sell.