Lot 251: Aston Martin DB6 Mk1 Saloon

'The object of the changes creating the DB6 has been to make room for adults in the two occasional back seats, but at the same time the opportunity has also been taken to make a number of detail improvements to the rest of the car...' - The Autocar, 1965. Unveiled at Earl's Court in October 1965 during the London Motor Show, the distinctively styled Aston Martin DB6 featured a completely redesigned tail treatment with top-lip spoiler intended to counteract aerodynamic lift and reduce drag. Compared to the preceding DB4 and DB5-series cars, the longer-wheelbase DB6 gives the distinct visual impression of being a considerably more substantial motor car, but this impression is deceptive as it weighs only 17lbs more than the DB5 - a modest penalty to pay for the considerable convenience of increased legroom and headroom in both front and rear seats. The Tadek Marek-designed six-cylinder engine had been enlarged to 3,995cc for the preceding DB5 and 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 optional power-assisted steering. One of the most capable Grands Routiers of its day, the DB6 could accelerate from 0-60mph in 6.1 seconds, 0-100 in 15.0 and attain a top speed of 148mph. First registered on 8th April 1968, the car we offer was delivered new via HWM to its first owner, one Leopold Annett of London W1. The factory record notes that its specification included Borg Warner automatic transmission, power steering, two seat belts, chromium plated road wheels, heated rear screen and three-ear hubcaps. '3406/R' remained in Mr Annett's ownership for several years and was purchased on 23rd February 1973 by Alan Steeden of Putney, from Guy Salmon, the purchase invoice recording the odometer reading as 27,020 miles. There is a most comprehensive history file with the car containing Mr Steeden's hand-written letters noting the subsequent sale of the car to a Mr Lewis of Weybridge. Curiously, that is the only reference to this Mr Lewis, whose name does not appear on any of the car's registration documents, while there is a very short gap in the history from that 'sale' to him and the car's acquisition by the current owner in September 1990. The latter's first act was to re-commission the Aston properly, recruiting the services of a specialist and purchasing over £4,000 worth of parts from Aston Service Dorset (see bills on file). Work undertaken at this time included an engine rebuild, and this fastidious approach characterises the enthusiast vendor's careful, painstaking and passionate ownership of the car, which surely will provide its fortunate new owner with a lot of pleasurable motoring for many years to come. Finished in red with black leather interior, '3406/R' is described in generally good condition and offered with current MoT/road fund licence and the aforementioned file of extensive history.