Aston Martin DB6
- Production Dates: October 1965 – July 1969
The DB6 was the first Aston Martin to carry the name Volante – which means ‘flying’ in Italian. It was in fact the last thirty-seven DB5 chassis that were used to build the short-chassis Volantes and were completed between October 1965 and October 1966.
Although clearly derived from the DB4 through the DB5, the new model was announced at the London Motor Show in October 1965. The most noticeable styling change on the DB6 was the spoiler – then called a Kamm tail – integrated into the tail of the car, which improved high speed stability. The split front and rear bumpers; a redesigned oil cooler opening in the front valance, a higher roof (136 cm) and longer wheelbase (258.5 cm), 9.5 cm more than the DB5, giving an overall length of 462 cm.
Aston Martin DB6 Volante
The last thirty-seven DB5 chassis were used in conjunction with some DB6 design cues to build the desirable Aston Martin Volante (often called Short-Chassis Volante), completed between October 1965 and October 1966. This was indeed the first Aston Martin convertible to be called a ‘Volante’ – a derivation of the Italian word for ‘flying’.
Specification
- Price New: £ 4,998 (Saloon)
- Engine:
- dohc I-6, 3995 cc, 282 bhp @ 5500 rpm, 288 lbs-ft @ 3850 rpm (Vantage: 325 bhp @ 5750 rpm)
- Transmission: ZF 5-speed overdrive manual or Borg-Warner 3-speed automatic
- Suspension:
Front: upper-and-lower A-arms, coil springs, anti-roll bar
Rear: live axle, Watt linkage, trailing links, coil springs - Brakes: Servo assisted front/rear discs
- Wheelbase: 8’6″ (2585 mm)
- Weight: 1474 kg (3250 Ibs)
- Top Speed: 148 mph
- 0-60 mph: 6.1 sec.
- Production: 1327 (Excluding Volante)
Clearly evolved from the DB4 and DB5, the new model was announced at the London Motor Show in October 1965. The most noticeable styling changes on DB6 were the Kamm tail rear spoiler, which improved high speed stability, the split front and rear bumpers; a redesigned oil cooler aperture in the front valance, a higher roof line (136 cm) and longer wheelbase (258.5 cm), 9.5 cm more than DB5, giving an overall length of 462 cm. The increase of space in the rear made DB6 a more practical family proposition.
DB6 was a highly fashionable car to be seen in, famous owners included HRH Prince Charles, Paul McCartney, Mick Jagger, Twiggy and Peter Sellers. At a business function in London in 1968, David Brown was approached by an old contact and friend, who asked him if it would be possible as a favour to purchase a new DB6 at cost price. David Brown replied that he would be delighted to oblige, and several days later the friend received an invoice for £1000 more than the published list price for the car. Embellished story or not, it is certainly true that in this era, craftsmanship took priority over profit.
