Aston Martin DB6 Vantage
The Aston Martin DB6 represented the culmination of the David Brown-era grand tourers that had begun with the DB4. While the DB5 gained immortality through James Bond, many Aston Martin cognoscenti consider the DB6 the superior car. The lengthened wheelbase provided significantly more interior space and improved high-speed stability, while the distinctive Kamm tail was aerodynamically superior to the DB5's more traditional form. The Vantage specification added triple Weber 45 DCOE carburetors, raising output to 325 horsepower — making it one of the fastest GT cars in the world when new. Each car was hand-built at Newport Pagnell using the traditional methods of aluminum body panels formed over a steel tube superstructure. The interior was trimmed in Connolly leather, hand-stitched and fitted by craftsmen. The DB6 was the first Aston Martin to offer an optional automatic transmission (Borg-Warner), though the ZF 5-speed manual was the enthusiast's choice. Today, the DB6 Vantage commands enormous respect and prices to match, recognized as perhaps the most complete of the classic Aston Martins.
Verify matching-numbers engine with Aston Martin Heritage. The aluminum body hides structural corrosion in the steel frame — a thorough inspection is essential. Vantage spec should have triple Webers and 'VS' engine prefix. Oil leaks are common on the straight-six. Restoration costs can easily exceed the car's value on non-Vantage models.
Total DB6 production was 1,788 units (1,327 Mk I and 461 Mk II). Of these, only 256 were built to Vantage specification. The Mk II introduced DBS-style headlights and flared wheel arches. A Volante (convertible) version was also offered in limited numbers.