1967 Aston Martin DB6

This example is a David Brown era Aston Martin DB6 Grand Tourer. It’s a RHD variant and comes with an automatic gearbox and a version of the famous 4-litre inline six cylinder engine designed by Tadek Marek. 

Along with a current V5 in the seller’s name, the copy of the original Aston Martin factory build sheet is also included with the papers that we have on file. From its content, it can be seen readily that the car was commissioned originally for a company called Vaughan Associates, then of Curzon Street, London W1, and delivered to them on 16th February 1967.  

Vaughan Associates was a 1960s a promotional music‐related enterprise and popart collective based in Mayfair. Their many and varied activities spanned the whole gamut of Swinging-London high profile commercial projects, all the way from promoting nationwide concert tours and large events down to individual psychedelic art commissions, including the painting of Paul McCartney’s piano and installing murals in Carnaby Street boutiques. Perhaps most notably, David Vaughan collaborated with the Beatles by way of high‐profile art events such as The Million Volt Light & Sound Rave in early 1967, where a Beatles track (“Carnival of Light”) was first played. Of course, famously, two members of the Beatles (Paul McCartney and George Harrison) and Mick Jagger of the Rolling Stones also owned examples of the DB6 at the time. 

As the build sheet also reveals, chassis number DB6/29080/R was originally supplied to Vaughans in Platinum (ICI code MO-73 3659) with Black Connolly hide upholstery, a Borg Warner automatic transmission, chrome wire wheels, and a heated rear screen. However, by the time this particular project DB6 came into the current owner’s hands in 2005, it was already in a partly dismantled state. Although its private ownership history post-build and before his ownership is not known, the last 20 years or so of stewardship by the seller has been studiously recorded by AMHT/AMOC. 

After the car had been stripped down to a bare chassis, extensive restoration began. The chassis was placed in the expert hands of Shaun Rush of ASR and commissioned to be stripped to bare metal and then comprehensively repaired and re-fabricated in all areas that required attention. This work is evidenced today not only by the 'before, during and after’images that accompany this listing but also via the copy invoices that we have on file, testifying to the expensive work that was done circa 20 years ago. 

However, not long afterward other projects came along for the owner, which meant that the DB6 was left for a while. The idea was that he would return to the DB6 project once other commitments and projects had been completed. However, that day never seemed to come and so the DB6 project was effectively mothballed to the present day. Reluctantly, the seller has come to the conclusion that the DB6 will never be finished in his hands and so, with more than a little reluctance, he has consigned it to this auction.

As well as the filly restored chassis, still on its dollies from ASR, the Aston Martin DB6 comes with a plethora of parts, large and small. On file, there are two inventory lists compiled by the seller (one set out in narrative form and the other tabulated to correspond to the number boxes containing the smaller parts). It is impossible, of course, form us to confirm definitively whether all parts needed in order to fully complete the vehicle. That said, judging by what we have seen and read, there appears to be the large majority of what will be required to complete the project.

Whilst the exterior is essentially a bare frame currently, the Aston Martin chassis does appear to be in very good condition. Indeed, even with a few body panels placed on the frame (nose, roof, and boot), the combination lines looks fantastic. The DB6 silhouette is one that is instantly recognisable to all DB enthusiasts and, even in this bare and skeletol form, it looks stunning.  

From the copy paperwork on file, coupled with photographs taken while the process was in hand (copies of which form part of the listing), the extent of the restoration of the chassis undertaken by the renowned fabrication shop ASR in 2005 is clear to see (as is the expense also, some 20 years ago, evident from the copy invoices).

Along with chassis, the doors were also restored at the same time and e-coated. The panels evident today, albeit in unrestored form, are the nose cone, roof, and boot lid, and they all present well. Also available are a brand new replacement, windscreen from Pilkington (still in its wrapping) and a rear screen too.

Given that what is on offer is a partially restored but dissembled project car, describing this DB6 interior succinctly presents something of a challenge.  

What can be said is that very many interior parts are present. The principal items can be seen in the photographs that form part of this listing. These are further delineated in two inventories that have been complied by the seller – one narrative and the other in tabular form, with the numbers set out in the schedules corresponding to numbers of the boxes containing the smaller items. 

Notable interior elements included are: dashboard frame structure; instrument dashboard nacelle; front seat bases and chrome fittings; seat rails; glove box door; a host of various instruments, lights and switches to be mounted on the dashboard in due course (many of them new / NoS); dashboard hockey stick and undertrays; carpets (black); foot controls; gear lever and mechanism; steering column; steering column switch nacelle; ashtrays; rear view mirror; rear seat squab; O/S rear arm rest; rear parcel shelf trim; petrol filler pipe trim; N/S door card; headlining structural elements; and various other parts including door handles, window winder knobs, rear quarter light latches, O/S window frame and quarter light etc. etc. etc. 

Most of the major mechanical elements are present. In particular, and looking at the images and inventories, included in the listing are the following components (though all will require rebuilding or refurbishment): DBS Vantage replacement engine; alternator; starter motor; radiator; 3 x SU intake manifolds; petrol tank; various engine mounts; flywheel components; Borg Warner automatic gear box; rear axle and diff; various front suspension components; various rear suspension components; various wheel hub and brake components; prop shaft; steering column (multiple parts); 4 x wire wheels; front antiroll bar; etc. etc.. 

In addition, very many smaller mechanical and electrical components have been stored in 27 numbered boxes, the numbers corresponding to numbered paragraphs in one of the two inventories compiled by the seller.

Between 1965 and 1969, only 1,327 DB6s in Coupe form were manufactured. In 1967, a new Aston Martin DB6 Coupe had a UK list price of £4,998. To give this fact some context, such a figure equates to about 10 times the average UK annual salary at the time and was significantly more expensive than competitors such as a Jaguar E Type, which cost between £2,200–£2,400. 

Thus, these cars were never a common sight on UK roads back in the day and were always reassuringly expensive, as they say. 

Today, for all the reasons set out above this current offering of a DB6 project car is a vanishingly rare opportunity. Indeed, we are aware of only one dismantled and partially restored DB6 project car that has been offered at auction in recent times and that was sold for £76,500 (inc. BP) in July 2024. Consequently, we are confident to offer this car for auction with an estimate of £40,000 - £60,000, which is certainly not the King’s Ransom of a cost that these cars represented new in 1967. 

Viewing is strongly encouraged, and this particular car is located with the vendor in Norfolk. To arrange an appointment to inspect this vehicle, please use the ‘Enquire About This Vehicle’ button on the listing. Feel free to ask any questions, or try our ‘Frequently Asked Questions’.