Footnotes

"If you want a truly British driver's car, the ultimate development of a continuous line of thoroughbreds from the Vintage era to the present day, there is nothing in quite the same field as the Aston." – The Motor magazine on the DB6, 26th November 1966.

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" (101.6mm) 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 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. Not only that, but the new tail brought with it another advantage, as revealed by Aston's Engineering Director, Dudley Gershon: "It was faster by about 2mph than the DB5 because the 'drag' was down as a result of the less abrupt fall in the roof line and some increased slope of the windscreen."

But the chief benefit of the new body was its greater practicality, as Motor recognised: "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. When DB6 production ceased in 1970, a total of 1,575 saloons had been made (240 to Mk2 specification) plus 178 of the long-wheelbase Volante convertibles.

This DB6 was built in left-hand drive configuration and delivered new via the United States agent J S Inskip to its first owner, a Mr Nahum Tychacbasov of New York City. The car's original colour scheme was Silver Birch with dark blue Connolly leather interior and it left the factory with an impressive assortment of optional equipment, which included automatic transmission; Normalair air conditioning; 3.54:1 limited-slip differential; heated rear screen; Bosch Köln radio; and Marchal for lamps. Only one subsequent owner is listed on the accompanying copy guarantee form: Mr Howard Edwards of Farnham, Surrey, UK (change undated).

The current owner purchased the Aston from Heritage Classics of West Hollywood in May 2009. A copy of the export purchase order is on file and the car also comes with a State of California Certificate of Title (issued November 2005). This Aston Martin DB6 appears to be in good overall condition, but it would require some minor aesthetic work and a mechanical overhaul before returning to the road. Please note import taxes will be liable if the car is to remain in the EU.