1969 Aston Martin DB6 Automatic Sports Saloon

• Originally Dubonnet Rosso with natural leather interior
• Present ownership since 1994
• Laid up in a dry heated garage since 2003
• Requires full restoration

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 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," declared Motor magazine. "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. A 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.

This automatic transmission DB6 was delivered new by HR Owen on 15th October 1969, originally finished in Dubonnet Rosso with natural Connolly leather upholstery and fawn carpets and headlining. The Aston left the factory with the following options fitted: power steering, chrome wheels, heated rear screen, three-ear hubcaps, power operated aerial, and two front seatbelts.

The car's history is unknown prior to 1994 when our vendor purchased it from Rover dealer Chris Jenkins Cars. At that time the car was blue with magnolia interior, and the odometer reading was 26,000, according to the purchase invoice. Today, the odometer states just under 27,200 miles. Laid up in a dry heated garage since 2003, the DB6 will require full restoration before it returns to the road and thus is sold strictly as viewed. The car is offered with a V5 registration document, a DB6 instruction manual and a £1,112.17 invoice for a complete exhaust, battery, oil, fuel and air filters and two exhaust gaskets, dated 2003.