1967 Aston Martin DB6 - One family owned from new

Considered by many to be the last 'real' Aston Martin, the DB6 was launched in 1965, updating the DB5. Although Royal patronage of the marque undoubtedly helped DB6 sales, the car arrived at a difficult time for Aston Martin with the home economy in an uncertain state and the US market subject to ever-more restrictive legislation. Though recognisably related to its Touring-styled DB4 ancestor, the DB6 abandoned the Superleggera body structure of its predecessors in favour of a conventional steel fabrication. The wheelbase was now 4" longer than before, resulting in an extensive restyle with more-raked windscreen, raised roofline and reshaped rear quarter windows.

The major change from its bigger brother, the DB5, was at the rear where a Kamm-style tail with spoiler improved the aerodynamics which greatly enhanced stability at high speeds. "The tail lip halves the aerodynamic lift around maximum speed and brings in its train greater headroom and more luggage space," declared Motor magazine, going on to conclude that the DB6 was one of the finest sports cars it had tested. Famed employee, Tadek Marek, designed the six-cylinder engine which had been enlarged to 3,995cc for the preceding DB5 and this remained unchanged. Power output on triple SU carburettors was 282bhp, rising to 325bhp in Vantage specification. Borg-Warner automatic transmission was offered alongside the standard ZF five-speed gearbox, and for the first time there was the option of power-assisted steering.

"OCG 771F' offered here today is a Mark I variant of the much sought-after DB6 model with the manual gearbox. Unusually the car has been owned by four members of the same family from when it was delivered new in December 1967. Finished in the more unusual Dubonnet Rosso the paintwork is in good order all round , the chrome work is also very smart though lightly pitted in some areas. In the interior Black leather adorns the seats, door cards, roof lining and passenger headrest while the dashboard and instruments are all in exemplary condition. Black carpet and a charming patina to the leather give the car an aged, but not a tired appearance.

Showing an unwarranted, but what is presumed to be a correct, 85,976 miles at time of cataloguing, the comprehensive history accompanying this car includes MoT's from 1987 when the car showed just 67,697 miles. 'OCG 771F' has travelled fewer than 6,000 miles in the last 10 years or more, so we would recommend that a light engine refresh be undertaken before periods of extended use.

Amongst the invoices, receipts and paperwork for this car is the original bill of sale, the original log book, 17 past MoT's, current V5C registration certificate and no fewer than 43 invoices showing the careful maintenance that has been lavished on this car. Today she sports a high performance exhaust that emits a pleasing sound from that Tadek Marek six-cylinder engine, which, mated to the important ZF five-speed manual gearbox is a sheer pleasure to pilot.