1968 Aston Martin DB6 Volante
Considered by many to be the last 'real' Aston Martin, the DB6 was launched in 1965 at the Paris and London Motor Shows. Although Royal patronage of the marque undoubtedly helped DB6 sales, as did its DB5 predecessor's appearance in the James Bond movies, the car arrived at a difficult time for Aston Martin, with the home economy in a parlous state and the US market subject to restrictive legislation.
Increased rear-seat space had been the prime DB6 objective, so the wheelbase was now 4 inches longer than before, resulting in an extensive re-style with more-raked windscreen, raised roofline and reshaped rear quarter windows. The result made the DB6 a genuine four-seater. Opening front quarter lights made a reappearance but the major change was at the rear where a Kamm-style tail with spoiler improved the aerodynamics and greatly enhancing stability at high speeds. These many dimensional changes were integrated most successfully, the DB6's overall length increasing by only 2 inches. Indeed, but for the distinctive Kamm tail one might easily mistake it for a DB5.
At the 1965 London Motor Show, the convertible DB6 marked the first occasion the evocative 'Volante' name had been applied to a soft-top Aston Martin. The stylish Volante offered four-seat accommodation and was generously appointed with leather upholstery, deep-pile carpets, an aircraft-style instrument cluster and an electrically operated hood.
Bonhams will be offering this example at their upcoming Aston Martin Sale on the 13th May at the Aston Martin Works in Newport Pagnell. The estimated value is between £700,000 – £900,000. For more information on this and other vehicles at the sale, click on the link below. Photos courtesy of Bonhams.