It can be easy to forget sometimes, but Aston Martin built more than just the DB5 during the 1960s. Sure, James Bond’s car of choice may be the model the brand is best known for, but it was one of just a number of well-regarded grand tourers it released during the decade, including its successor, the DB6. And now, a gorgeous 1966 example of the stylish follow-up is being auctioned off by Bonhams.
The DB6 sports saloon, which was produced between 1965 and 1971, was Aston Martin’s attempt to improve upon the DB5. The pair may look similar to the untrained eye, but the latter 2+2 coupé has a longer wheelbase, a smoother shape and, its trademark, and upturned Kamm tail. It remains a gorgeous vehicle, but its design was actually a point of criticism upon release, probably because it didn’t look all that different from its immediate predecessors. That didn’t scare off a who’s who of British celebrities from buying one, though, including Prince Charles, Paul McCartney, and Mick Jagger.
In this example, chassis no. 2660, features a stunning pewter finish. The interior is just as alluring, pairing black leather with wood trim. The 3.75-inch longer wheelbase means there’s a little more room for those sitting on the rear bench to stretch their legs, but it still looks to be a tight fit. We can’t imagine anyone who buys the car is aiming to use it for a family road trip, though.
Under the hood, you’ll find the same number-matching 4-litre inline-six that was in the DB5, according to Uncrate. The mill is connected to its original ZF five-speed overdrive manual and produces 282 hp and 295 ft-lbs of torque (the latter Vantage model produced 325 horses). It has a 241 km/hr top speed, which is 8 km/hr faster than its predecessor, though it’s a tad slower at 96.6 km/hr, accomplishing the feat in 8.2 seconds compared to a flat eight seconds. The car is also the rare auction car that seems to have been enjoyed, having totalled over 113,000 km in the 56 years since it left the factory.
Intrigued? This DB6 will go up for bid as part of Bonham’s California Online Winter Auction, which runs from December 4 to 11. It’s being sold without reserve, though don’t expect it to be a bargain. Examples in good condition regularly sell for around RM1.2 Million, and it wouldn’t be surprising to see this go for more.
Previously published on Robb Report USA
Photography credit: Bonhams
