The DB6 was featured in the July 1998 issue of Classic & Sports Cars. Seven pages of excellent photography the article retraces the route to LeMans where Aston Martin made their mark in 1959.
The DB6 marked the birth of the name Volante which means flying in Italian. It was in fact the last thirty seven DB5 chassis that were used to build the short-chassis Volantes and were completed between October 1965 and October 1966. The most noticable styling change from the DB5 to the DB6 was the spoiler integrated into the tail of the car which improved stability at high speeds.
The DB6 was introduced in 1965 as an interim model until such time as the Company could introduce a totally new model, but the demand exceeded all expectations and after the DBS and the DBS V8 had been introduced, there was still a customer demand for this car until production was finished in early 1971. During the production run of the DB6, the convertible version was known as Volante and this was the first European car to be manufactured with a power-operated hood.
The DB6 was available with the 6-cylinder 4-litre engine Air conditioning, power steering and a more advanced automatic 'box were options.
As with the DB5, the DB6 enjoyed a large enough power increase in common Vantage trim (now worth 325bhp breathing through triple Webers) to overcome its extra weight.
1755 DB6 were produced between October 1965 and November 1970
Specifications
Bodywork
Length : cm (in): 462 (182)
Width : cm (in): 168 (66)
Height : cm (in): 136 (53.5)
Wheelbase : cm (in) : 258 (101.7)
Weight: kg (lb) : 1625 (3587)
Mechanics.
Displacement : straight six 3995 cc (244 ci), front-mounted
Valve gear : 12
Fuel system : 3 SU HD8 carburettors
Gearbox : 5 speed manual
Driven wheels : rear-wheel drive
Maximum power : 282 bhp at 5500 rpm
Maximum torque : 380 Nm at 4500 rpm
Top speed : 240 km/h (150 mph)
Chassisnr: DB63233R
Enginenr: 4003308
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