PLEASE NOTE: if this car is not sold before it will be displayed at our stand at the Techno Classica in Essen, Germany between the 12th and 16th of April 2023

If you have serious interest in this car, we kindly ask you to contact us before the show.

The Techno Classica is one of the world’s largest motor shows for classic cars.

We will be pleased to welcome you at our stand where we will display approximately 20 cars from our collection.

You can find us in hall 5 stand number 314. We look forward to meet you there!

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1968 ASTON MARTIN DB6 VOLANTE

- One of only 140 DB6 Mk I Volantes ever produced
- An older but extensively restored example complete with impressive restoration pictures
- With a substantial history file with numerous invoices, original instruction book, original sale brochures, other bills and assorted documents dating back to 1983
- The first ever 'Volante' model
- Benefits from a Richard Williams rebuilt engine

"I have driven most of the Aston Martin models that have been produced, from the racing twin-cam 1½-litre of the 1920s onwards. For years my favourite has been the DB3S sports-racer, but now my allegiance is wavering. There can be little doubt that the DB6 is the best Aston yet and it is a credit to British engineering." - John Bolster, Autosport, 21st October 1966.

"The tail lip halves the aerodynamic lift around maximum speed and brings in its train greater headroom and more luggage space," revealed Motor magazine, concluding that the DB6 was one of the finest sports cars it had tested. "The DB6 with its longer wheelbase and better headroom makes an Aston Martin available to the far wider four-seater market, and the design is in every way superior to the previous model. A purist might have though that the longer wheelbase would affect the near-perfect balance of the DB5, but if anything the DB6 is better."

Considered by many to be the last 'real' Aston Martin, the DB6 was launched in 1965 at the Paris and London Motor Shows, updating the DB5.

Although recognizably related to its Touring-styled DB4 ancestor, the DB6 abandoned the underlying Superleggera body structure of its predecessors in favor of a conventional steel fabrication while retaining the aluminium outer panels.
Somewhat confusingly, 'Superleggera' badges continued to be applied for a time.

The Tadek Marek-designed six-cylinder engine had been enlarged to 3,995cc for the preceding DB5 and remained unchanged.

Premiered at the 1965 London Motor Show, the convertible version of the DB6 marked the first occasion the evocative 'Volante' name had been applied to a soft-top Aston Martin.

After 37 Volantes had been completed on the DB5 short-wheelbase chassis, the model adopted the longer DB6 chassis in October 1966, first appearing in its definitive form at that year's London Motor Show.

The stylish Volante offered four-seat accommodation and was generously appointed with leather upholstery, deep-pile carpets, an aircraft-style instrument cluster, and an electrically operated hood.

Between 1965 and 1970 when production ceased, a total of 1,575 DB6 saloons was completed.

During this time the factory made just 178 of the long-wheelbase Volantes and today these rare cars are among the most sought after of David Brown-era Aston Martins.

ABOUT THIS SPECIFIC EXAMPLE
One of 140 'Mark 1' DB6 Volantes made, this specific example was supplied new in August 1968 via H R Owen Ltd.

The accompanying Aston Martin factory specification document reveals that the car was delivered finished in Aquamarine with Black Connolly leather interior, and Black Hood.

In October 1983 the DB6 Volante was acquired by Mr Christopher James Scott from London at the Aston Martin Dealer in London Richard Stewart Williams Ltd for 16.000,- Pounds.

In April 1989 it was purchased by Mr. John Warhust from Warwick via Coys Auction.

In February 1994 Mr Warhust sold the DB6 to an enthusiast, Mr. Paul St. J. Brine in London for 51.000,- Pounds.

He owned and maintained the car for several years and sent his cherished car to be restored by Aston Engineering, England.

By the late 1990s the car was acquired by Mr Haughton of Telford, UK.

In the 2000s, the Volante was owned by a Mr Klingelnberg, Germany, and during his ownership the sills and body of the DB6 were completely stripped and rebuilt.

Works undertaken included rebuilding of the engine (at marque specialist Richard Williams), a full body restoration, full suspension rebuilt, full brake rebuild, overhauling the carburettors and fitting a new convertible hood.

All bills and receipts can be found in the history file along with correspondence between Mr Klingelnberg and the restoration companies in UK and Germany.

Later in the summer of 2011 the car was serviced and maintained by respected classic car specialist Autoriparazioni Coratelli in Switzerland, as evidenced by bills on file.

Invoices for all of the aforementioned works are in the substantial history file together with numerous other bills and assorted documents.

Service records from the mid-1980s to today document the usual engine, brake, suspension, and transmission work one would expect to be performed.

The history file also boasts an extensive correspondence section between owners and the factory, which further supports the service and MoT records.

Finished then in Dark Green with black leather interior, this Volante has been treasured by its former keepers and unusually, has a detailed and documented history spanning a big part of it’s life.

Very few Aston Martin's boast such exceptional provenance, exclusivity and early factory maintenance.

CONDITION EXTERIOR
Because of the impressive restoration the appearance of the car is very nice.
The body restoration has been carried out some years ago and because a DB6 is an excellent and very usable car it has been driven and used. Therefore one can find here and there signs of use.

The paint gloss is excellent and beautifully deep like a mirror. The body details such as the door, bonnet and boot gaps are excellent.

A DB6 is surrounded with different chrome and aluminium parts. The grille for example is a combination of aluminium and chrome and is often damaged because of stone chips. This car has a beautiful (restored) grille. The chrome parts such as the bumpers are all in a beautiful condition and have a nice shine. The aluminium parts are in a beautiful and nicely polished condition as well.

The windows have also been replaced during the restoration resulting in beautiful glass without signs of use.

Headlights and lenses are also restored even as all the chrome.

CONDITION INTERIOR
The interior of the Aston is like the exterior and the rest of the car extremely beautiful and period correct restored.

Due to the age of the restoration one can find signs of use but one can clearly see that the DB6 has been carefully used so the interior is in a beautiful condition.

If you take a seat inside you’ll be met with a beautifully restored dashboard, iconic Smith’s clocks, a period radio and Wilton Wool carpeting.

Luxuriously appointed, it features fully adjustable leather covered seats and generously proportioned cushions, power-operated hood and electrically operated door windows.

All of which allow the owner to experience the quality and tactile feel of something special, not forgetting the distinctive aroma of the Connolly hide.

UNDERNEATH / ENGINE BAY
The Aston has been restored as described above by top specialists and this becomes clear when the engine bay is properly inspected. One can see that the parts used as well as the way of installation is period correct.
The fact that the engine was rebuilt by Richard Williams give an extra benefit to this Aston Martin DB6.

When the Aston arrived we had the car properly cleaned from underneath which resulted in a beautiful undercarriage of this car.

DRIVING EXPERIENCE
The smell by opening the door is fabulous and typically english. A typical Connolly leather smell is reaching the nose immediately and this smell starts immediately the emotion of driving and using the DB6.

Driving this example, is when this car is best appreciated, as one becomes accustomed to something of true quality.

Among the most rare and exclusive Aston Martins, DB6 Volantes remain highly sought-after and are found in the finest collections.

Driving an Aston Martin DB6 gives a lot of pleasure. The car is driving very direct. The handling is excellent with immediate response on the steering and the pedals. Due to the impressive power in the car and the large disc brakes the experience is superb. The DB6 is a car which can be used with pleasure for long distance trips but will also be very suitable for rally use.

For more information or an appointment, please call Rutger Houtkamp+31625098150 or send an e-mail to [email protected]. Please do not hesitate to contact us by phone during evenings or in the weekend.

The Houtkamp Collection is centrally located near Amsterdam and only 10 minutes from Amsterdam Schiphol Airport.

The Houtkamp Collection is not able to guarantee the correctness and/or the exhaustiveness of the information contained in this car description and can not accept any obligations from that.
Thank you for your cooperation.