Aston Martin

UK-delivery example built to left-hand-drive specification with factory-fitted air conditioning  

 • Upgraded in period by the factory to Vantage specification, with a five-speed manual gearbox 

 • Concours-quality restoration totaling $767,000 in recent restoration work by Kevin Kay Restorations 

Looking to capitalize on the success of the iconic DB5, Aston Martin’s DB6 was first unveiled at the London Motor Show in 1965. Visually like its predecessor, the DB6’s most significant change was its stretched wheelbase of 3.75 inches over the DB5, increasing legroom for the rear passengers, coupled with a slightly raised roof making for more headroom. Visually, the car is most easily identified by its “Kamm” tail, which added significant downforce at high speeds. 

These changes sought to establish the car as a true grand tourer in the eyes of Aston Martin and, to many, the improvements made the DB6 a much more usable car than its predecessors. To many clients in its home market, with continental Europe just across the channel, there was no better choice for a patriotic Englishman (or Englishwoman) looking for automotive adventures further afield. 

Despite being built to left-hand-drive specification, this particular DB6 Vantage was delivered new to Captain E.D. Smith of St. Neots, Cambridgeshire, in the United Kingdom. The build sheet also notes that it was fitted with a 3.54:1 limited-slip differential, heated rear window, Fiamm horns, Britax safety belts, Marchal fog lamps, chrome wheels, and, notably, the desirable Normalair air conditioning. Combined with its left-hand-drive configuration, the high specification of this DB6 makes it the ideal grand routier. 

Further notations on the build sheets show regular servicing at the factory during its first five years, by which time it had been driven some 24,719 miles. It was thereafter upgraded, as suggested by the factory service records, with the installation of a correct factory Vantage-specification engine as well as a ZF five-speed manual gearbox, replacing the original Borg-Warner automatic transmission. 

Vantage specification is truly the driver’s choice for the DB6. The Tadek Marek-designed 4.0-litre straight-six with triple Weber carburetors increased power output to 325 horsepower. When mated to a five-speed manual gearbox, this specification is considered the ultimate derivative of the DB6. 

Acquired by the current owner in 2017, the car was shipped to Aston Martin specialist Kevin Kay Restorations in Redding, California, where the DB6 was fully restored at a cost of approximately $767,000. The car was stripped down to bare metal and repainted in its present black metallic color scheme while the interior was retrimmed in black Connolly leather sourced from the UK to match. During the restoration, the car was fitted with a Tremec five-speed manual transmission, while the aforementioned ZF five-speed manual transmission will accompany the sale. Over 190 pages of invoices for the associated work are on file, stretching from May 2019 to June 2023. 

For its lucky new owner, this is an excellent opportunity to enjoy one of Aston Martin’s most iconic automobiles, fresh from a no-expense-spared concours-quality restoration by one of the leading Aston Martin specialists in the United States. Kevin Kay’s Aston Martin restorations continue to sell at world-record levels and RM Sotheby’s Private Sales team are proud to bring to market yet another fine example.

Please note that this vehicle is available to inspect for interested parties at RM Sotheby's Monterey auction. Please contact a member of the private sales team if you would like to arrange an inspection.