1965 Aston Martin DB6 Vantage
- Engine
- 4.2L DOHC inline-six with triple Weber carburetors, 325 bhp
- Colour
- Black
This left-hand-drive Aston Martin DB6 Vantage was delivered new in the 1960s to Captain E.D. Smith of Cambridgeshire and is believed to have subsequently been used in France. Factory build records document its early service history across nearly 25,000 miles. The car was subsequently upgraded with a correct Vantage-specification engine and a ZF five-speed gearbox in place of the original automatic, then comprehensively restored in the 2000s to its current black-over-red presentation. It retains desirable factory options including Normalair air conditioning and a limited-slip differential.
Ownership
- —Auction saleEstimate US$400,000 – US$500,000
- Date unknownFactory deliveryCaptain E.D. Smithfull documentation
First registered owner per factory build sheet; car was delivered new to St. Neots, Cambridgeshire, though believed to have been operated primarily in France.
- Date unknownCurrent vendorpartial documentation
Described as a longtime and recognized enthusiast; the vehicle was well maintained under their care following a restoration completed in the 2000s.
Competition
No competition history extracted from the catalogue.
Maintenance & restoration
- —ServiceAston Martin factory
Regular and thorough servicing carried out at the Aston Martin factory across the first five years and approximately 24,700 miles of the car's life, as documented in factory service records.
Records are noted as regular and conscientious; this service history is attached to the factory build sheet.
- —Modification
A correct factory Vantage-specification engine was fitted in place of the original unit, and the original Borg-Warner automatic gearbox was replaced with a ZF five-speed manual transmission, as indicated by factory service records.
This powertrain combination, together with the original air conditioning, is considered the most sought-after specification for the model.
- —Restoration
A comprehensive restoration was completed in the 2000s, resulting in the current gloss black exterior finish and red leather interior; the work has been well preserved with only light signs of subsequent use.
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