1965 | Aston Martin DB 6 Vantage

To Be OFFERED AT AUCTION at RM Sothebys' Paris event, 1 February 2023.
€175,000 - €225,000 EUR

• Highly sought-after factory Vantage model; earlier Superleggera-badged car
• Matching-numbers chassis and engine
• Equipped with five-speed manual transmission, typically preferred by enthusiasts
• Accompanied by photos of the car undergoing restoration; believed to have been completed as an out-of-hours project by Aston Martin factory mechanics in the 1990s
• Bought from Aston Martin Works in 2014; accompanied by a British Motor Industry Heritage Trust certificate and FIVA Identify Card

Aston Martin looked to build on the success of its popular DB5 when its successor, the DB6, was revealed at the London Motor Show in 1965. Profile improvements included split bumpers and a Kamm-style rear end, which reduced drag and offered noticeably increased stability at higher speeds. This redesigned shape required a more rigid frame, coupled with Touring of Milan’s famous Superleggera construction, limited to models made from 1965 to 1967.

For customers wanting a performance edge, the more powerful Vantage offered a lightly tuned version of the Tadek Marek-designed 4.0-litre straight-six engine fed by triple Weber carburettors. The higher 325 horsepower output was lauded by Aston Martin enthusiasts and—as the final Vantage-tuned car in the “DB” lineage—this version of the DB6 is especially coveted today.

Chassis DB6/2438/R was completed by the factory on 30 December 1965 and was originally painted in Fiesta Red, as detailed in an accompanying British Motor Industry Heritage Trust certificate. It was later resprayed in the darker shade of Dubonnet red, complementing the black leather interior. The car features a five-speed manual gearbox, electric windows, and was augmented in-period with a sliding Webasto sunroof. It is understood that the DB6 was restored in the 1990s by Aston Martin factory workers as an “out of hours” project—photos of this process can be viewed in this car’s history file. The car has been well maintained in the ownership of the consignor, with workshop invoices dating back to 2016 available to view in the car’s history file.

A smartly finished example of one of the most desirable DB6 variants, this Superleggera-badged Vantage—with its matching-numbers chassis and engine—represents one of the last highly original examples of this accomplished grand tourer with a perfect balance of style and performance.
To view this car and others currently consigned to this auction, please visit the RM website at rmsothebys.com/en/auctions/pa23.