• Year of manufacture 
    1970
  • Chassis number 
    DB6/4081/R
  • Engine number 
    400/4278
  • Lot number 
    175
  • Drive 
    LHD
  • Condition 
    Used
  • Number of seats 
    2
  • Location
    United Kingdom
  • Exterior colour 
    Other
  • Drivetrain 
    2wd
  • Fuel type 
    Petrol

Description

The last 'Mk1' production chassis
1970 Aston Martin DB6 Sports Saloon
Chassis no. DB6/4081/R
Engine no. 400/4278

Last-of-the-line models are always sought after by discerning collectors and few are more highly prized that the final flowering of the glorious 'David Brown' six-cylinder series, considered by many to the last of the 'real' Aston Martins. Culmination of this long-running line of 'DB' sports saloons, the DB6 was introduced in 1965. Recognisably related to the Touring-styled DB4 of 1958, the DB6 abandoned the Superleggera body structure of its predecessors in favour of a conventional steel fabrication. 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-style tail with spoiler improved the aerodynamics, greatly enhancing stability at high speeds.

'The tail lip halves the aerodynamic lift around maximum speed and brings in its train greater headroom and more luggage space,' revealed Motor magazine, concluding that the DB6 was one of the finest sports cars it had tested. 'The DB6 with its longer wheelbase and better headroom makes an Aston Martin available to the far wider four-seater market, and the design is in every way superior to the previous model. A purist might have though that the longer wheelbase would affect the near-perfect balance of the DB5, but if anything the DB6 is better.'

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 manual gearbox, and for the first time there was optional power-assisted steering.

Supplied new via H R Owen Ltd to one C C Windley of Little Baddow, Essex, '4081' is the last production chassis completed before the introduction of the DB6 Mk2. The accompanying copy build sheet shows that the car was delivered equipped with the ZF five-speed manual gearbox, chromed road wheels with 3-ear hubcaps, front seat belts, heated rear screen, Radiomobile radio, power aerial, Fiamm horns, and Marchal spot and fog lamps. Its subsequent history is not known.
Converted (at date unknown) to left-hand drive configuration, the dashboard being left incomplete, the car is offered for restoration and sold strictly as viewed. There is no registration document with this Lot.

Should the vehicle remain in the UK, local import taxes of 5% will be applied to the purchase price.


Bonhams 1793
101 New Bond Street
London
W1S 1SR
United Kingdom
Contact Person Kontaktperson
First name 
Bonhams Collectors’ Car department

Phone 
+44-2074685801
Fax 
+44-2074477401