The Aston Martin DB6 was the first Aston Martin to carry the name Volante – which means “flying” in Italian. It was in fact the last thirty-seven Aston Martin DB5 chassis that were used to build the short-chassis Volantes and were completed between October 1965 and October 1966.
Although clearly derived from the Aston Martin DB4 through the DB5, the new model was announced at the London Motor Show in October 1965. The most noticeable styling change on the Aston Martin DB6 was the spoiler – then called a Kamm tail – integrated into the tail of the car, which improved high speed stability. The split front and rear bumpers; a redesigned oil cooler opening in the front valance, a higher roof (136 cm) and longer wheelbase (258.5 cm), 9.5 cm more than the DB5, giving an overall length of 462 cm.
Aston Martin DB6 Technical Specifications
- Engine: dohc I-6, 3995 cc, 282 bhp @ 5500 rpm, 288 lbs-ft @ 3850 rpm (Vantage: 325 bhp @ 5750 rpm)
- Transmission: ZF 5-speed overdrive manual or Borg-Warner 3-speed automatic
- Suspension
- Front: upper-and-lower A-arms, coil springs, anti-roll bar
- Rear: live axle, Watt linkage, trailing links, coil springs
- Brakes: Servo assisted front/rear discs
- Wheelbase: 8’6″ (2585 mm)
- Weight: 1474 kg (3250 Ibs)
- Top Speed: 148 mph
- 0-60 mph: 6.1 sec.
- Price New: £ 4,998 (Saloon)
- Production: 1327 (Excluding Volante)
- Production Dates: October 1965 – July 1969
