Aston Martin DB6

Aston Martin DB6 Aston Martin Volante
1967 Aston Martin DB6 MkI
Overview
Manufacturer	Aston Martin
Production	1965–1970 1,788 produced
Body and chassis
Class	Grand tourer (S)
Body style	DB6 2-door coupé 2+2 Volante four-seat convertible
Layout	FR layout
Powertrain
Engine	DOHC Straight six, 3995 cc, 282 bhp @ 5500 rpm 280 lbs-ft @ 4500 rpm
Transmission	ZF 5-speed overdrive manual or Borg-Warner 3-speed automatic
Dimensions
Wheelbase	101.5 in (2,578 mm)
Length	182 in (4,623 mm)
Width	66 in (1,676 mm)
Height	53.5 in (1,359 mm)
Curb weight	3,250 lb (1,474 kg)
Chronology
Predecessor	Aston Martin DB5
Successor	Aston Martin DBS

DOHC Straight six, 3995 cc, 282 bhp @ 5500 rpm

The Aston Martin DB6 is a grand tourer made by British car manufacturer Aston Martin. Produced from September 1965 to January 1971, the DB6 had the longest production run up to that date of any Aston Martin model. The DB6 succeeded the Aston Martin DB5 and featured improved aerodynamics and specification over its predecessor.

After Aston Martin rejected proposals for a replacement for its DB5 from Touring of Milan, the decision was made to focus on their own development car, registered 4 YMC. Wind tunnel testing, begun in February 1965, showed development was necessary to counteract a tendency toward aerodynamic lift [a result of the fastback styling] causing reduced rear-wheel traction at high speed. Final development phases relied upon DB5 chassis, suitably lengthened and titled MP 219, with rear lip-spoiler and abbreviated Kammback tail Aston Martin previously incorporated in sports-racing prototypes. The decision was made to produce MP 219 as the Aston Martin DB6 although the prototype de Dion rear axle was rejected, Aston's soldiering on with its well-located live-axle configuration reducing time to market, cost and complexity.

Introduced at the 1965 London Motor Show, the DB6 was already a dated design notable as the first model engineered following a factory relocation from Feltham to Newport Pagnell. The DB6 has a resemblance to its predecessor, the DB5; with the most noticeable differences being its wheelbase, side profile, split front and rear bumpers and rear panels incorporating the Kammback tail rear end. The tail, combined with the relocated rear-axle and the 3.75-inch (95 mm) lengthened wheelbase, provide more stability at high speed. Though fashionable — the rear-end Kamm-styled design was similar to the Ferrari 250 — it did not prove popular with conservative, tradition oriented Aston clientele when the DB6 was introduced. Performance was satisfactory: road-tests of the day observed top speed of the Vantage model between 145 mph (233 km/h) to 148 mph (238 km/h), with John Bolster aboard a Vantage spec DB6 reaching a two-way average of 152 mph (245 km/h).