Lot 030: 1966 ASTON MARTIN DB6 SHORT CHASSIS VOLANTE

Arguably the most desirable and certainly the rarest series of open-topped Aston Martins yet made, the DB6 Short Chassis cars were also the first to wear the 'Volante' moniker. Appropriated by Newport Pagnell employee Kent Monk, the Italian word (which translates as 'Flying') was intended to signify the thrill of high-speed 'wind in the hair' motoring and has been a staple part of company brochures ever since. Introduced at the October 1965 London Motor Show alongside its longer and heavier DB6 saloon sibling, the Short Chassis Volante was built on the same 8-foot 2-inch wheelbase platform as the outgoing DB5 Convertible. Visually distinguished from its predecessor by an enlarged frontal oil cooler duct, new 'Church' rear light clusters and delicate quarter bumpers (the latter recalling designs such as the Lancia Aurelia B24 Spider America), the newcomer also benefited from a revised interior complete with V-pattern stitched seats. Undoubted flagship of the contemporary Aston Martin range, the Short Chassis Volante was only listed for twelve months between October 1965 and October 1966. Predictably expensive, just thirty-seven cars (31 RHD / 6 LHD) had been produced before the arrival of a less specialised successor which utilised the DB6 saloon's sub-structure and distinctive Kamm tail etc. Among the fastest four-seater convertibles of its generation, the Short Chassis Volante was equipped with independent coil-and-wishbone front suspension, a parallel trailing link-mounted back axle, four-wheel Girling disc brakes and rack and pinion steering. An all-time great, its Tadek Marek designed 3995cc DOHC straight-six engine was available in Standard (triple SU carburettors 282bhp / 288lbft) or Vantage (triple Weber carburettors 325bhp / 290lbft) tune and with a choice of ZF five-speed manual or Borg Warner three-speed automatic transmission. Perhaps unsurprisingly all but three customers opted for the less highly strung SU-fed powerplant, while the number who specified automatic transmission (13 of 37) was testimony to the car's Grand Tourer potential. Extremely labour intensive, the Short Chassis Volante was the last Aston Martin to be crafted using Carrozzeria Touring's patented 'Superleggera' technique whereby its hand-formed aluminium panels were affixed to a latticework superstructure of small diameter steel tubing. Trimmed with the finest Connolly leather hides and thick Wilton carpets, the model's inviting cabin was protected by a neatly tailored Everflex roof. A plaything of the rich and famous when new, the Short Chassis Volante has long appealed to marque connoisseurs. Widely regarded as the most collectible post-WW2 open-topped Aston Martin, its 'blue chip' status is assured. According to an accompanying letter from the late Roger Stowers in his then role as Company Historian and Archivist, chassis DBVC/2323/R was completed on 24th September 1965. Despatched to London distributor H.R. Owen Ltd thereafter, the DB6 Short Chassis Volante was supplied new to James Miller & Partners Ltd of George Street, Edinburgh on 7th January 1966. Founded by James Miller and his brothers John and Lawrence in 1934, the Scottish firm specialised in house building, civil engineering and mining. A pillar of the community as well as a very successful businessman, James Miller was appointed Lord Provost of Edinburgh in 1951 and Lord Mayor of London some thirteen years later. Knighted in his former role, he remained a Director of James Miller & Partners Ltd until 1973. Although, we have been unable to prove that Sir James was the car's first custodian (rather than another member of the Miller clan), his ties to London make it seem likely. Reputedly featured in the September 1985 issue of Classic & Sportscar magazine, the Aston Martin had relocated to Wokingham, Berkshire by the late 1980s. Said to have covered approximately 7,000 miles since undergoing an extensive engine overhaul at the hands of renowned marque specialist Goldsmith & Young, chassis DBVC/2323/R is further understood to have had attention paid to its fuel pump, alternator, starter motor and triple SU carburettors. Further benefiting from a brake system overhaul (skimmed discs / reconditioned callipers / rejuvenated servo etc), partially re-bushed suspension and renewed steering rack seals etc, it boasts a stainless steel exhaust and rechromed wire wheels complete with stainless spokes. Pleasingly retaining its original build sheet livery of Pacific Blue paintwork with beige Connolly leather and a tan Everflex roof, the Short Chassis Volante underwent a thorough bodywork restoration in 2001. Stripped back to bare metal, it reportedly had "any aluminium corrosion cut out and repaired" before being repainted. We are also informed that the refurbishment process included the "sandblasting, rust treating and undersealing" of the underside not to mention the "red-leading of the interior floors etc". To the interior, the original leather upholstery was re-coloured and offset by a new hood and fresh carpets. A welcome concession to modernity, the CD player is nonetheless well hidden. Described by the vendor as being in "good overall" condition (though, he singles out the engine as "very strong"), chassis DBVC/2323/R performed well on a recent test drive. A 'matching numbers' car in that it retains its factory fitted powerplant '400/2188', the Aston Martin also sports its original registration number 'LJF 1D'. Showing an unwarranted 76,000 miles to its odometer, this ultra-rare and ultra-desirable Short Chassis Volante is offered for sale with history file (copy build sheet, Roger Stowers correspondence etc), restoration photos, Goldsmith & Young invoice and MOT certificate valid until February 2009.