Property of a deceased's estate, in single family ownership for 45 years
1967 Aston Martin DB6 Vantage Sports Saloon Project

• Last of the original 'DB' Aston Martins
• Original colour combination
• Matching engine and chassis numbers
• Automatic transmission
• Present ownership since 1981
• Offered for restoration

'Stage by stage, as the DB has become dominant in the Aston Martin strain, the successive cars have changed their image. Today the aim is to offer the maximum of luxury and refinement as well as the ultimate in road performance. The minor barbarities of so many great sports cars of the past are no longer acceptable – at least in the hand built models now leaving Newport Pagnell. Obviously such a car as the DB6 is expensive and exclusive but the value matches the price.' – Autocar, 1966.

The culmination of Aston Martin's long-running line of 'DB' six-cylinder sports saloons, the DB6 had been introduced in 1965, updating the DB5. Although recognisably related to the Touring-styled DB4 of 1958, the DB6 abandoned the Carrozzeria Touring-developed Superleggera body structure of its predecessors in favour of a conventional steel fabrication while retaining the aluminium outer panels.

Increased rear-seat space was the prime DB6 objective so the wheelbase was now 4" 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. These many dimensional changes were integrated most successfully, the DB6's overall length increasing by only 2".

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 (as on this car), complete with triple Webers. Borg-Warner automatic transmission was offered alongside the standard ZF five-speed gearbox, and for the first time there was optional power-assisted steering.

This DB6's accompanying copy guarantee form shows that it was originally finished in Dubonnet Rosso with natural interior trim, and left the Newport Pagnell factory equipped with Borg Warner automatic transmission, Vantage engine, Coolair air conditioning, power steering, chrome road wheels, heated rear screen, octagonal wheel nuts, and power aerial. Delivered via HW Motors, the Aston was first owned by a J H L Coppen Esq. of Beaulieu, Hampshire. Further servicing is recorded on the factory build sheet across 1967, 68 and 69.

Its late owner purchased the DB6 in 1981 and it has been kept garage stored for some considerable amount of time. As such it is now offered for restoration, but as a rare Mk1 Vantage, still in its original colour scheme and with matching chassis and engine numbers, it is surely worthy of being returned to the road.