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Guide to the Aston Martin DB6
Produced from October 1965 to July 1969, the design process from the DB4 and DB5 can clearly be seen in the Aston Martin DB6. As with its predecessors, the DB6 was announced at the London Motor Show unveiling changes in the design and style from earlier models.
There were some very noticeable styling changes for the DB6, including the Kamm tail rear spoiler, which improved stability at higher speed, the split front and rear bumpers, a higher roof and longer wheelbase making a more practical “family” car. The DB6 was also fitted with quarter lights, which had not been seen since the DB2/4.
A convertible was also created, known as a Volante, the Italian for “flying”, as was a short chassis which built using the last 37 DB5 chassis. These differed from earlier convertible models as they were fitted with a power assisted hood. Only 2 of the short chassis were produced with a Vantage engine as were 29 of the standard DB6 Volante’s.
Mechanical improvements were also made to the DB6. Whilst the standard engine, fitted with three SU Carburettors, was capable of the same output as the DB5, those fitted with a Vantage Unit were capable of much more. 325 bhp to be precise.
A vantage engine was fitted to 6 cars in 1966 along with a DB4GT exhaust cam on the inlet side, GT valves, modified valve timing and modified jets in the Weber 45 DCOE 9 carburettors creating a more powerful car.
The 5 speed ZF gearbox of the later DB5’s was continued in this model and a later version of the Borg Warner automatic transmission was also offered as an alternative, at no extra cost. An optional extra in the DB6 was power assisted steering, as were Coolair and Air Conditioning in later models.
The later produced cars do not carry the Superleggera badge as Touring dissolved in 1967.
1,327 DB6 were produced, 7 of which were shooting brakes. There were 37 short chassis Volante and 140 Volante.
The price for a newly supplied DB6 Saloon at the time of production was £4,998. A short chassis Volante cost £4,998 and a DB6 Volante £5,594.
Aston Martin DB6 Mark 2
Commencing production in July 1969 until November 1970, the revised DB6 was announced in August 1969.
The standard DB6 Mark 2, was fitted with a twin overhead camshaft engine, three SU HD8 carburettors and is essentially the same as the first of the DB5’s. AE Brico electronic fuel injection was fitted to 46 cars as an optional extra.
The cost of production as kept low as many of the parts used were shared with the DBS which was in production at the same time, including the front seats and the wire wheels with 6” rims. Other options remained consistent with the early DB6 model apart from power assisted steering which was now fitted to all cars at no extra cost. The main style change between the DB6 and the DB6 Mark 2 was the flares to the front and rear wheel arches. This was to accommodate the wider tyres, despite this not being listed in the original sales specification!
The Mark 2 Volante was released at the same time as the Saloon. The specification was the same as that of the Saloon. There were just 38 produced, 21 of which had automatic transmission adn only 9 had both a Vantage engine and 5 speed gearbox.
Just 240 DB6 Mark 2 were produced and cost £3,674 when purchased new, or £4,798 with a Vantage engine.
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