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.

Vehicle History

A copy of the original build sheet for this car shows that it was delivered to the dealer, Arnold G Wilson on 1st December 1965 and registered to its first keeper on 6th January 1966 under the registration number NGU 195 D. Supplied in Pacific Blue with Grey trim, the records show that the car was originally supplied as an automatic and the only extra was a power aerial. A duplicate of the original green folding log book, issued by the Corporation of Glasgow, records two of the subsequent owners- Charles Fleming and Clive Richardson.

Subsequent to that, there is correspondence on file between a Trevor Ward and the local vehicle licensing centre in the first half of 1986. The content of the letters suggests that the car had been off the road for some time and the registration number had lapsed. Because of this, later registration documents note a registration date for the car of 3rd September 1986 under the registration number, HKR 391 D.

The car remained in the ownership of Mr Ward until 2007 when the car was acquired by its current owner, a proprietor of a business in the South of England that the Classic Car Directory describes as being involved in the restoration, modification, race preparation welding and fabrication of Aston Martins, Jaguars and other Classic Cars.

The car was acquired as an ideal restoration project for the proprietor's own use, as he told us "this car was totally unrestored and consequently lacking the usual plethora of tacked on repairs to MOT standards! The chassis was restored by us to the original Aston Martin specification with all welds and panels correct to original specification."

The body restoration was undertaken from the underbelly of the car and the finished work, wax cavity injected and coated with Wurth Schutz. The paint and bodywork, in classic Silver Birch, was contracted to a top coachworks, SAR Limited and further enhanced by new stainless steel bumpers.

The specialists tackled the rest of the mechanical work. The engine was rebuilt using new pistons, rings and liners. The brakes and suspension were reconditioned to new standard and a Harvey Bailey handling kit fitted. This handling work was complimented by the fitment of new 6 x 15 MWS Stainless Steel Wire Wheels with the ultimate classic performance tyres- Avon CR6ZZ.

As you would expect of a performance enthusiast, the automatic gearbox was replaced with a Getrag 5 speed manual gearbox with a standard DB gear lever and a negative earth conversion completed the mechanical overhaul. The choice of gearbox was based on the unit's similarity to the original factory specified ZF box but having smoother gear change characteristics while retaining the correct ratios.

The finish of the under bonnet area was important in terms of both performance and appearance. So oil pressure, performance and sound are as they should be while the concealed transistor ignition is hidden away in the distributor itself. The whole under bonnet area was then detailed for a concours appearance to match the performance.

On the interior, the original leather was in excellent condition and was lightly restored, the headlining was replaced and the Wilton carpets leather bound for durability and good looks. The dashboard was dismantled and refinished in the correct black pearl while instruments were overhauled and the glove box retrimmed.

Summary

The Aston Martin DB6 has long been held up as the perfect execution of the original Superleggera design from Touring launched with the DB4. The restoration of DB6/2436/R has been sympathetic to the original concept of the DB6 as a great Grand Tourer and can be commended as an example of one of Newport Pagnell's finest.