ASTON MARTIN DB6 (1965-1970)

Immediately after the end of WW2, Aston Martin’s 2-Litre Sports (DB1) and DB2 were styled by British designer Frank Feeley, while 17-year-old John Turner would pen the later DB2/4 and DB MkIII.

However, in the late ‘50s Aston Martin commissioned Carrozzeria Touring to come up with a replacement for the DB MkIII – the Federico Formenti-styled DB4. The new car was constructed using the superleggera (Italian for superlight) system that Touring had developed. This comprised of small diameter steel tubes that conformed to the car’s body shape, which were then clothed in thin alloy panels. The DB4, available as either a fixed head or drophead coupé, ran from 1958 until 1963, while the more powerful DB4 GT appeared in 1959, followed by the more muscularly styled, very limited edition DB4 GT Zagato in 1960.

For many, the DB4’s replacement, the DB5, remains the ultimate classic Aston Martin. Retaining similar technical specifications to the earlier cars – with the six-cylinder engine enlarged from 3.6 to 3.9-litres – the most notable change was the DB5’s faired-in headlights. Much of this car’s subsequent claim to fame would undoubtedly stem from its appearance as James Bond’s personal transport in the 1964 movie, Goldfinger. In the Ian Fleming book of the same name, Bond actually drove a DB MkIII but for the film that model was updated to the DB5, which first appeared in 1963.

Although well-liked in both fixed and drophead form, interior space in the DB5 was limited and Aston Martin saw this as being something of a handicap when it came to increasing sales. With the family man in mind, they began work on a replacement with more space. To achieve this the wheelbase was increased from 2489.2mm to 2584.45mm. The longer chassis meant that the car’s roofline could be raised while retaining the car’s sleek looks. Reshaped seats released more headroom while revisions to the rear suspension allowed for improved space for rear seating.

Rather than commission Touring to update their original design, Aston Martin chose to develop the DB6’s overall style themselves and although the new car was essentially an updated DB5, rather controversially the DB6 was given a sharply cut-off tail. As well, Touring’s superleggera body system was much simplified. Although mechanically similar to the DB5, an optional automatic transmission was also offered.

Introduced in 1965, the DB6 would remain in production until 1970, with a MkII version appearing in 1969 complete with power steering and optional fuel injection, this model recognisable via its flared wheel arches and wider wheels. In another reference to 007 – Thunderball – the DB6 drophead coupé was renamed the Volante.

The DB6 was replaced by the DBS, with Aston Martin reverting back to employing the talents of a British designer, in this case William Towns.