1969 Aston Martin DB6 Saloon

At a Glance:

+  Full vehicle history With 4 owners
+  Extensive restoration
+  The best example available
+  In-period upgrades to engine

Complete history & restored to the highest standard

Equipment & Features:

• DB6 Saloon
• Silver Birch Bodywork
• Connolly Black Trimming VM 8500
• ZF Saloon Spec
• Smiths MPH Speedometer
• English Lighting Spec Headlamps
• Chrome Road Wheels
• Heated Rear Screen
• Three Ear Hub Caps
• Power Operated Aerials
• Two Lap & Diagonal Front Seat Belts
• 7 Pints Antifreeze
• Power Assisted Steering
• Air Conditioning
• Fiamm Horns
• Spark Plug Holder

History:

Detailed and continuous history from new. Neatly presented and documented in five main folders as well as two DB6 original handbooks, a 'working folder' from 2016 to present, further invoices and receipts leading back to - and including - the car's original purchase invoice and subsequent letters from Aston Marin Lagonda LTD. Also included are two DB6 workshop manuals, a DB6 parts manual and a specially printed hardback book detailing a short history of the car up to March 2022.

A rare find is the 1976 'Department of the Environment' certificate, the 1977-1979, 1982, and 1984-1999 'Department of Transport' certificates, progressing into MOT certificates from 2000-2012. The MOT history is also available to view digitally from 2005 to 2022.

Supplied new by H.R. Owen Berkley Square and registered to its first owners (See below) on 22nd of February 1969 for the purchase price of £5,311,19 shillings and 5 pence. Subsequently, road registered on the 13th of March, the DB6 remained in the ownership of the co-owner of Sound Techniques for the next 13 years having been maintained by Aston Martin specialist RS Williams. 

The DB6 was then purchased by RS Williams before finding its second owner on the 1st of October 1982 and continued to be maintained by RS Williams throughout his 30-month ownership.

Its third owner purchased the car on the 19th of March 1985 and kept the car for an astonishing 32 years. Throughout this ownership, the car was maintained in full by Aston Martin specialist Post Vintage Engineering. Throughout these three decades, the car was highly cared for regardless of cost, notable exceptions being several engine rebuilds along with a full body-off and documented rebuild of the aluminium and steel structure with new sills, chassis outriggers, door skins, front and rear valances and front assembly. During his ownership, he successfully campaigned the car gaining impressive competition records within the AMOC, ACOC and BARC, with over 62 1st and 2nd place finishes to his credit. In 2010 the engine was subject to a detailed and complete strip and rebuild which included a 4.2 litre block (the original block is included within the sale), fitting a new crankshaft, Carrillo connecting rods and Cosworth pistons. Carried out by Post Vintage, the work totalled over £17,000 and increased engine power from around 260bhp to 319bhp. The engine has only covered around 15,000 miles since. As an added bonus included in the paperwork is a detailed listing of each event the car featured in, from 1986 to 2016, and is an enjoyable insight into the car's time winning many a title.

The car was subsequently purchased by the current owner in January of 2017 and has been maintained by a number of known specialists; Adrian Johnson (Formally known as Post Vintage), Chicane, and Tim Butcher of Trinity Engineering. As part of the purchase agreement, the car was subject to works including a complete respray in the purchaser's colour choice - Silver Birch - along with servicing the engine.

Shortly after purchasing, the owner had the air condition system re-installed at a cost of £13,646 and spent in the realms of a further £13,000 on general maintenance until mid-2020. From September through to December 2021, the car had a meticulous and major overhaul carried out by Trinity Engineering at a cost of nearly £30,000 and thus is presented today in outstanding condition. The owner has recently returned from a faultless 850-mile trip around the UK.

This is only a snapshot of the history of this stunning car, and viewing is essential to appreciate its history and condition. 

More:

The handsome DB6 was the last of the original DB series of Aston Martin cars and is often regarded as the most usable of all. Launched at the 1965 London Motor Show at Earls Court, it proved a favourite amongst rock stars including both Paul McCartney (Goodwood Green) and Mick Jagger (Midnight Blue) to cement its desirability right at the heart of the late sixties music scene, complete with the reappearance of opening front quarter light windows for the sixties smoking musician.

This 1969 Silver Birch too, had its origins in this London-centric scene being ordered and run from new for thirteen years by Sound Techniques LTD, an independent recording studio in Chelsea and manufacturer of hand-built bespoke recording consoles – used by both The Rolling Stones and The Beatles – with the manufacturing facility in Suffolk. Attracted by British avantgarde design and the adoption of the Kamm-tail and spoiler, it was an aesthetic that was alien to many Aston Martin traditionalists but filled a need for pop culture-backing of the British marque and adoption of the latest aerodynamic enhancements to improve rear-end downforce over the DB5. 

The choice of the DB6 was no coincidence; if you were at the top of the music game in late sixties London, it was the car that said so. And they were at the top of their game; Sound Techniques audio equipment is common to Hey Jude, several White Album tracks and a raft of career-defining records from the likes of David Bowie, Queen, Elton John, The Doors, Deep Purple, Genesis, Nick Drake and of course The Rolling Stones.

This DB6 is arguably one of the best examples available having been subject to a 'rolling restoration' of body and running gear, including an in-period engine rebuild bored-out to the more desirable 4.2 litres and produces over 300bhp. Here, coupled with a ZF 5-speed manual transmission, the DB6 has a top speed of 148mph and clocks 0-60mph in just over 6 seconds. The combination of its excellent power unit and aforementioned rear downforce improvement meant the first model to leave the Newport Pagnell facility had both performance and predictable road-holding.

Where this Aston really excels is the delightful interior accommodation. From the sumptuous black Connolly leather upholstery, through the black Wilton wool carpeting to the instrument cluster resembling the shape of the front grille, the DB6 really gives a feeling of exclusivity. A raft of period dials and switchgear continues to generate an ambience complemented by a majestic wood-rimmed steering wheel. The cabin is completed with working, rare and period 'Aston Martin’ Motorola radio which illuminates 'Aston Martin' typography when activated, a welcome analogue reminder of where you are sat.

Other notable options specified on this particular car include power-assisted steering,  air conditioning - now replaced with a more modern and efficient system - and is complete with the much sought-after period tool kit and original jack.

Our Related Articles

> This Aston Martin DB6 is the promised land of classic car investment

> Whole Lotta Love for the Aston Martin DB6