60 years of the Aston Martin DB6
In early 1965, after some deliberation, Tickford Street decided to reprioritise the DP 200/1 project. Aston Martin had growing doubts about Touring Milan's MP 220 project. Touring had already appointed a receiver in February 1965 to rescue the coachbuilder. On the other hand, the calculations carried out by Touring represented a high cost risk for Aston Martin. The design was also controversial.
The result was that Aston Martin now turned its attention back to the ‘fully-fledged four-seater’ DP 200/1 project. For better aerodynamics, the Kamm tail was adopted, which had already been used to good effect on the DP 215 project in 1963. Further modifications compared to the predecessor models followed, such as an extended wheelbase and a raised roof, which offered passengers more space in the head, shoulder and foot areas. The boot was enlarged and newly improved seats were installed.
Technical improvements such as a new oil cooler, a 5-speed gearbox improved by ZF and an enlarged speedometer and rev counter were also carried out. The Selectaride shock absorber was now available as standard.
Additional options such as a limited slip differential, a heated rear window, an electric aerial, fog lights, headrests and a luggage set customised for the boot were available.
In a vehicle test by John Bolster of Autosport, 152 mph (245 km/h) was measured. Bolster concluded ‘There is little doubt that the DB6 is the best Aston Martin currently available and a masterpiece of British engineering’.
The new Aston Martin DB6 was born. It was unveiled in the autumn of 1965 in the glaring spotlights of the motor shows in Paris and London.
2025 marks the 60th anniversary of the Aston Martin DB6. This masterpiece of British engineering deserves to be celebrated in style. That is why we will be offering the DB6 an appropriate platform three times this year.
We start with the
Spring Concours - Burghley House, Stamford, PE9 3JY from 7 to 8 June 2025. The Burghley House Spring Concours will take place in the grounds of Burghley House in Lincolnshire, UK. Planning is well underway and details will be announced in the New Year. We ask members to register their interest, particularly for the DB6 display, on the AMOC website. We will keep you informed as soon as bookings are possible. By registering now on the AMOC site, you will be the first to know that tickets can be purchased and help with planning.
This will be followed by the exhibition at the National Motor Museum in Beaulieu as part of the
Simply Aston Martin event. All Aston Martin owners are invited to drive to Beaulieu on Saturday 19 July 2025 and park in the grounds of the museum for a great day out for Aston Martin owners and enthusiasts. There will also be a dedicated DB6 60th anniversary display. Registration is already open for the display one the Club
website and for tickets on the Beaulieu
website.
The last event with its own DB6 exhibition is the AMOC International Anniversary Meeting from 26 to 28 September 2025 in Saalfelden, Austria. A concours will also take place here, where Aston Martin DB6 enthusiasts can present in a display their vehicles in a fitting manner. Here, too, interest can already be expressed on the Club
AMOC 90th page. We will report on further details of this meeting.
I would be delighted if as many DB6 enthusiasts as possible would join us at these events. Here we have the opportunity to offer our treasures a fitting platform.
I look forward to making many more DB6 acquaintances. If you have any questions about your DB6 or the above-mentioned events, please feel free to contact me at db6@amoc.org
Yours, Alexander Reichhart
DB6 Representative