1965 Aston Martin DB Short-Chassis Volante
- Colour
- Red with cream hood
The DB Short-Chassis Volante was an interim open-top Aston Martin produced from surplus DB5 short-wheelbase chassis after the DB6's introduction in late 1965, blending DB5 proportions with DB6 styling details such as split bumpers and chrome taillight surrounds. Only 37 were made, making it the rarest series-production Aston Martin convertible, and it also marked the debut of the Volante name. This left-hand-drive example, one of only 11 so configured, was built in October 1965 and reportedly delivered new to North America, finished in Goodwood Green with black trim.
Ownership
- —Auction saleSold €815,000 (≈ $897K)
- 1966-07-01 →Early US owner(s)none documentation
Car was road-registered in the US around mid-1966; this period of American ownership is not supported by any surviving documentation.
- → 1996Acquisition unknownHartmut Ibingpartial documentation
Described as a well-regarded enthusiast who held this car alongside a DB6 Shooting Brake before selling both together.
- 1996 → 1996Private saleGerman collectorpartial documentation
Acquired the car from Ibing but sold it on shortly afterward; at that stage the bodywork was painted red and a restoration was needed.
- → 2012Acquisition unknownAutosport Designsfull documentation
Exotic car dealership based on Long Island, New York; sold the car to the current consignor in January 2012, with a purchase invoice on file.
- 2012 →Private saleConsigning German ownerfull documentation
Registered the car in Germany after purchase; TÜV roadworthiness certificates were obtained in 2019, 2021, and March 2023.
- Date unknownPrivate saleFrench brokerpartial documentation
Purchased the car in a red, unrestored condition shortly after the German collector took ownership; served as an intermediary in the chain of custody.
- Date unknownAcquisition unknownNicholas Meepartial documentation
London-based marque specialist through whom the car was traded at some point before it reached the US market.
Competition
No competition history extracted from the catalogue.
Maintenance & restoration
- 2019Inspection
German statutory roadworthiness test carried out, resulting in a TÜV certificate.
- 2021Inspection
Second German roadworthiness inspection completed with TÜV certification issued.
- 2023Inspection
Most recent TÜV roadworthiness certificate issued following a fresh German statutory inspection.
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