Background

Background:

After rejecting proposals for a replacement for the DB5 from Touring of Milan, the decision was made by Aston Martin to focus on their own development car, registered, 4 YMC. Testing it in a wind tunnel for the first time in February 1965, showed the need for work to counteract the test car’s rear end lift. So the final development phases saw a DB5 chassis, suitably lengthened and titled MP219, with a rear spoiler and abbreviated Kamm tail that Aston Martin had previously incorporated in sports racers.

The decision was made to progress MP 219 as the Aston Martin DB6 although its de Dion rear axle was replaced with a live axle on cost grounds. So the new car, announced at the London Motor Show in October 1965, had a wheelbase extended by 3.75 inches with the extra inserted just ahead of the rear wheel arches and this allowed the roofline to be raised by an inch, while a further two inches of headroom was gained by reworking the seat squabs. Reducing the length of the trailing arms on the rear suspension, gave more elbow room at the back.

The seat shapes were changed to give greater shoulder and lumbar support while the dashboard changed only with the size and layout of individual dials. Externally, however, horizontally slatted grille beneath the number plate allowed better air flow to the oil cooler and visual symmetry of the new arrangement was maintained with a split bumper at the front that was mirrored at the rear of the car. Mechanically, the car was very similar to the Aston Martin DB5 with 3 SU carburettors fitted as standard. There were a number of items that a customer could specify at no extra cost – a Powr-Lok limited slip differential and chrome wire wheels. An electric aerial was fitted as standard, although the radio, which would be a customer choice, was considered an extra and was charged accordingly.

Summary:

The Aston Martin DB6 Mark 2 is recognized as the ultimate evocation of Touring’s original Superleggera design.

With a good traceable history and periods of long term ownership this car, represents a great opportunity. Offered at a value for money price to allow the new owner scope to repaint and detail the car, this is a chance to acquire an excellent piece of Newport Pagnell history, one of only around 240 DB6 Mark 2 saloons built.

Vehicle History

This is an early chassis number for an Aston Martin DB6 Mark 2 and the car was actually built in 1969 but not registered until the very end of 1970 – a reflection of very different times in the motor industry. Sold by Aston Martin distributors Arnold J Wilson of Leeds, the car was bought by a Mr CS Nelson, the Managing Director of Ultramar Golden Eagle Oil.

In 1977 the car was transferred to Ultramar as keeper and the colour was noted to have changed from the original Mink to Gold. In 1982, the car was sold to Rex Stuart & Associates in London who in turn sold it Kenneth Campbell of Stockport in Cheshire in August of 1983. The mileage at that time is noted as being around 89,000 miles and when he sold it at auction in 2000 to the current owner, the car had reached 114,000 – recorded as 14,000 when the clock rolled over 100,000.

Mr Campbell was an enthusiastic owner who researched the history of his car thoroughly, maintained the car well and participated in many rallies and shows taking part regularly in the Norwich Union Classic and winning the “Car of the Show” award at the Peaks and Dales Run of 2000.

The car was then sold to a Dutch resident and Aston Martin enthusiast, Robert Baurdoux. He kept the car in Holland and maintained it alongside others in his collection which included a stunning V8 that we sold at Techno Classica Essen a couple of years ago.

Initially the car was kept in a static display without being driven, only to be formally registered and MOT’s in The Netherlands in 2009. Work done at that time included overhaul of the braking, fuel, cooling and ignition systems. Brake hoses were replaced and all four calipers rebuilt with new rubber seals, gaiters and stainless steel pistons. The triple carburettors were rebuilt using original (SU) service parts. In addition, the flexible fuel lines, fuel filter and double SU fuel pump were all renewed and the various inlet manifold gaskets replaced.

The cooling system was tested and found to be working well but, as a precaution, the coolant hoses were replaced and fitted using stainless steel jubilee clips. HT ignition leads were replaced and a new Pertronix HT coil and electronic ignition module fitted to the original Lucas distributor. Engine oil, oil filter and coolant fluid were replaced and the engine tuned.

In 2013, Mr Baurdoux decided to sell the car through the services of Byron International and chose to drive the car for the 400 mile run from The Netherlands to Britain, the car ran effortlessly with good oil pressure throughout the trip and no sign of overheating even in heavy traffic conditions.

At that time, the car was purchased by a Hong Kong based businessman with the plan to use the car on his regular trips to his UK office. He made an agreement with the storage facility that Byron International use for their client cars and, as a result, we have seen the car on a regular basis. Opportunities to use the car have not been as plentiful as expected and the owner has decided to return the car to the market.