1966 Aston Martin DB6 Sport Saloon

1966 Aston Martin DB6 Sport Saloon

"Stage by stage, as the DB has become dominant in the Aston Martin strain, the successive cars have changed their image. Today the aim is to offer the maximum of luxury and refinement as well as the ultimate in road performance. The minor barbarities of so many great sports cars of the past are no longer acceptable – at least in the hand built models now leaving Newport Pagnell. Obviously such a car as the DB6 is expensive and exclusive but the value matches the price.' – Autocar, 1966.

As one might imagine, Autocar found much to commend in the DB6 Vantage, remaking on the car's much improved handling, outstanding adhesion and exceptionally good braking figures. A mean maximum speed of 148mph was achieved, while the standing quarter-mile time of 14.5 seconds was the fastest the magazine had recorded for a four-seater. At 120mph the Aston was as effortlessly relaxed as other powerful cars at 80mph. "For high-speed open-road touring this Vantage DB6 is practically ideal," enthused Autocar's scribe, and few would disagree.

The 4.0-liter DOHC engine remained unchanged in standard triple-SU carburetor form but the Vantage specification unit with 9.4:1 compression ratio now developed a mighty 325bhp. A ZF five-speed manual gearbox was carried over from the latter, 'Selectaride' driver-adjustable damping was standard, and for the first time there was optional power-assisted steering available. Saloon production totaled 1,327 units, including seven shooting brake conversions by Harold Radford.

Descriptions and pictures by bonhams