" Our weekend in Cornwall was greatly enhanced by using the Triumph Stag. Apart from the pleasure of driving the Stag we struck up many a conversation with people interested in the car "
Andy McIntyre
...more testimonials

1966 Aston Martin DB6

'The Ultimate Gentleman's-Sportscar'

Stop Press: Aston Martin DB 6 just arrived!

"The most complete Aston Martin built to date...It is a commendable attempt to offer the best in motoring".

The Autocar - February 1966

Austin Martin DB 6 Austin Martin DB 6 Austin Martin DB 6

The ultimate gentleman's sportscar, the DB 6 is the last of the David Brown era 'DB' range and is in every way true to the name 'Aston Martin'. Beautifully finished in Silver Birch with Black hide interior and chrome wire wheels we are proud to have this splendid car to head up our range of classic British sportscars for hire.

Ian Fleming knew a thing or two when he first gave James Bond a DB Mk. III in the novel - Goldfinger. Once Aston Martin had been convinced by Albert R Broccoli & Harry Saltzman in 1963 that the new film would actually make for good publicity(!), the current Aston had become the now world-famous DB 5. The resulting silver-screen images of Sean Connery and the gadget-filled Aston Martin DB 5 broke box office records and became as associated with the legend of Aston Martin as the hand-built sportscars themselves...

Closely related to the DB 5, the DB 6 has a more aerodynamic kamm-tail to round off its fine Italian, 'Superleggera' coachwork. Proper, useable rear seats and other subtle differences improve on the Aston Martin DB 5, but leave it very closely related to the car we all know and love, driven by the world's finest spy; 007. With Aston's double over-head cam four litre engine be assured that this car also sounds as good as it looks!

This example is a correct Right Hand Drive home market car, that was built in March 1966 before being dispatched to H.R. Owen Limited (Eton Garages Kensington Limited) and sold new for £3,308 (with purchase tax of £863). This made an ‘on the road’ price of £4,171 - a staggering sum in 1966! Originally supplied with Borg Warner automatic transmission this car has subsequently been converted to the more rewarding 5 speed Aston Martin ZF gearbox. Six fortunate owners prior to ourselves have enjoyed and looked after this car with considerable work being carried out over the years by Ian Mason Aston Martin Services and latterly Desmond J. Smail Limited.

The origins of the DB 6 model lie in an experimental Aston Martin built in 1960 when designer Tadek Marek took a DB 4 and added a new 3.75 inch section to the platform chassis in order that four rather than two adults could be accommodated comfortably. This floor-pan modification was matched with a longer roof, although the side profile of this experimental car was otherwise that of a conventional DB 4. Mechanically the car then received a de Dion rear axle assembly and the ZF 5 speed gearbox, which would later appear in the DB 5 from 1963.

From this experience Aston Martin were looking towards a new wider body design which could accommodate the coming, new Tadek Marek V8 engine. However, in the meantime the importance of a ‘real’ four seater was underlined by the feeling at Aston that all that prevented the DB 5 from selling in even greater numbers was the poor rear seating. The earlier experience with the elongated DB 4 was therefore put to good use with work on a suitably lengthened DB 5 chassis that incorporated the distinctive DB 6 kamm tail. This abbreviated end had been successfully used with sports racers and cancelled out the rear end lift experienced with the earlier modified DB 4. With handling now coming up to expectations the improved drag available from the revised roof line and kamm tail spoiler meant that the DB 6 not only had better acceleration but was also slightly faster than the DB 5.

The DB 6 is therefore the last evolution of the David Brown ‘DB’ era cars and in numbers built terms was the most successful with 1,750 cars being completed by 1970. As a drive the DB 6 is smooth and sleek and in combination with its torquey four litre double overhead cam engine is quite a machine - the ultimate gentleman’s sportscar. Come and experience it.

Widening the Enjoyment of Classic Cars in the Westcountry...

Treat yourself or make someone's dream come true with a hire or an inclusive Classic Car Break... For details on availability please telephone 0845 458 1108 (Local Rate) or use the contact us form.