1966 Aston Martin DB6 Shooting Brake

• Reportedly the sole left-hand drive shooting brake of only three bodied by FLM Panelcraft
• Restored in the UK by marque specialists Spray Tec
• Matching-numbers engine
• ZF five-speed manual gearbox
• Original left-hand drive

There had been 'estate' or 'shooting brake' conversions of Aston Martins in the past, most notably the 12 DB5s built by coachbuilder Harold Radford, who would go on to build a further seven on the DB6 platform; this example, however, is the work of London-based FLM Panelcraft. By all accounts FLM's was a more practical design, boasting a higher roof line, split folding tailgate, and opening side windows.

The culmination of Aston-Martin's long-running line of 'DB' six-cylinder sports saloons, the DB6 was introduced in 1965 at the London Motor Show. Although 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 re-shaped rear quarter windows. Opening front quarter lights made a re-appearance, 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 gearbox, and for the first time there was optional power-assisted steering. Introduced in July 1969, the DB6 Mk2 incorporated many components shared with the new DBS, most obviously the latter's wider wheels that necessitated flaring the front and rear wheelarches. All Mk2 Vantages came with the highest (325bhp) 'C' state of tune, while all cars benefited from power-assisted steering as standard. Production lasted until November 1970, during which time 240 DB6 Mk2s were manufactured, only 71 of which were to Vantage specification while fewer than half of these had the five-speed manual gearbox.

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 be the last of the 'real' Aston Martins.

FLM Panelcraft's conversion greatly appealed to the late Innes Ireland, one of motor sport's most charismatic characters. An ex-Team Lotus Formula 1 driver and many-time Le Mans competitor, Innes was intimately involved with Aston Martin throughout the firm's racing heyday and assisted with the development of the DB6. He bought the first of the three FLM Panelcraft shooting brakes produced.

The sole example completed on a left-hand drive chassis, this car, 'DB6/2366/L', was ordered by a Mr Farrish of Texas, USA finished in Pacific Blue with a Beige Connolly leather interior. The car left the factory equipped with Normalair air conditioning; chrome wheels with three-ear hub caps; a heated rear screen; engine breather valve system; Fiamm horns; and a limited slip differential. However, it would appear that Mr Farrish soon lost interest in the project. After passing through the hands of various owners, the DB6 resurfaced in partly dismantled condition in the Netherlands.

Purchased by a French collector, '2366/L' was subject to a bare-metal restoration in the UK over fifteen-month period by renowned marque specialists Spray Tec of Wellingborough. In April 1990 the DB6 was advertised for sale in Auto Passion magazine. At that time it was finished in British Racing Green, but by July 1990, when it appeared in the short-lived Auto Live magazine, had been refinished in the light green livery it has today.

Successfully displayed at several concours events, including Goodwood, Parc de Bagatelle and Schwetzingen, 'DB6/2366/L' was acquired by a prominent European private collection in September 2006. A relatively recent acquisition by our vendor, this ultra-rare Aston Martin is offered with concours awards, an owner's guide, some pictures of the restoration, a copy of the Aston Martin build sheet, a copy of an older French registration documents as well as Belgian registration papers. Finally, you can take your dog out in style!