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This 1967 Aston Martin DB6 MKI was originally built to a standard engine specification with automatic transmission. The current owner purchased the vehicle in 1987 and since then has nearly completed a full nut and bolt restoration. A photographic record is available to show the extent of the restoration, which included a full body off strip down, and to complete refurbishment of the chassis wheel arches, bulkhead suspension mounting points, sills and cross members, the chassis was then shot blasted and powder coated to provide long term protection to the new steelwork. The bodywork was completely replaced, including the whole front section, doors, rear wings and boot lid. The doors were completely rebuilt, including new steel frames and new aluminium outer skin, the window mechanisms have been replaced with later Virage electric motors and mechanism. The whole vehicle, then undertook a complete bare metal re spray back to its original colour, which was "Caribbean pearl." The chassis and bodywork was completed by Panelama of Northampton. During the rest of the rebuilt the present owner, adopted the policy of refurbishing existing parts that were in sound condition, rather than simply replacing with new. The chrome work on the vehicle is all original. The vehicle was completely rewired, using new wiring harnesses from the factory, the brakes were completely refurbished and the calipers electroplated for protection. In addition all new brake lines and stainless steel braided aeroquipe flexible hoses were fitted. Silicone brake and clutch fluid was used throughout the hydraulic systems. Where appropriate, many original fastenings were replaced with stainless steel components and electrically, the vehicle was converted to negative earth. The standard engine and automatic transmission were upgraded, with a Vantage engine and five-speed manual gearbox from a later model car. This engine and gearbox is to the exact specification, as would have been used in a Vantage version originally. The engine shows excellent oil pressure and performance. Mechanically, the transmission was completely refurbished as well as the suspension using new bushes, new Koni adjustable shock absorbers at the front, and at the rear new road springs, refurbished select-a-ride, shock absorbers, and then an additional bolt on modification, which was the addition of small telescopic shock absorbers within the rear coil springs. This upgrade is to the personal taste of the present owner, and provides a much firmer ride in the vehicle, but is easily removed. A new set of wire wheels have been fitted to the car within the last six months. The exhaust system is stainless steel throughout, but does not utilise the middle silencer boxes, but reflects the earlier DB 5 system, using only rear silences. Additional mechanical aspects of the rebuild include the use of electronic ignition, electric cooling fans and Fiamm fuel pumps. In addition, the vehicle now breathes through a new set of three twin choke Webber carburettors and Pipercross foam filters. The interior of the vehicle has been fully refurbished, including new headlining, the use of Connolly hide for the dashboard top and rear parcel shelf as well as the seats being re-upholstered in Connolly leather in medium blue with grey piping. The driver's seat has an additional air cushion in the lumbar area, which can be inflated to provide additional back support (specified by the present owner), carpeting and sound insulation was replaced. In contrast, grey carpet and blue piping have been used on the floors. A new set of seat belts were commissioned by the present owner in a matching blue material and provide three point full harness belts for the front seats and two lap straps of the rear seats. The front seat belts have two different anchor points, providing greater access and comfort for the rear passengers. All glassware in the vehicle is original. The present owner has restored and enjoyed this car over the last 20 years and has been a full and active member of the Owners Club, accumulating many items of memorabilia along the way. Having recently relocated, the present owner no longer has the space to complete the finer details of this restoration, and sadly, has decided to part with his cherished DB 6. The present owner is conscious that this vehicle has not been restored to provide a concourse example of this mark. His intention was always to provide a reliable and enjoyable car that could be driven any time of the year, and in any weather conditions. A new owner may wish to change some of the detailed alterations made by the present owner to suit their own personal taste, but in completing the restoration of this car will be assured that they are purchasing a vehicle which has had an enormous amount of money spent on it and the work undertaken on the chassis, bodywork, upholstery and mechanicals has been to the very highest standard. The personalised registration is not being sold with the vehicle with a new date related registration has been issued by DVLC. Left Hand Drive Conversions As one of the leading specialists in Classic Aston Martin Motor Cars, we are increasingly asked for left hand drive cars. The availability of such cars is extremely limited. This is really not that surprising, when one bears in mind that only some 10% of those Aston Martins manufactured up until the introduction of the DB7were produced Left Ha d Drive cars. As a result, we find ourselves increasing asked “Can you do a right to left hand drive conversion?” We are perfectly equipped and always delighted to answer – “Of course” Many customers may well think that changing the specification of any rare car, such as an Aston Martin, would detract from both its originality and value. This may be the case if major changes are envisaged to the appearance or there is a major deviation from the original specification in some major mechanical item, such as fitting a Jaguar engine into a DB4. Indeed many clients may recall that years ago when Austin-Healeys and Jaguar E-Types were returning to these shores from the United States, mane conversions lowered the value of the car concerned. This was, sadly, largely as a result of the poor quality and lack of adherence to the original specification, and DETAIL of the right hand drive product. Here at The Aston Workshop that has NEVER been the case. We are, in fact, now routinely finding that valuable Aston Martins that have recently found new homes overseas, even to customers who normally drive on the right, are being bought and converted to Left Hand Drive and, in point of fact, that a premium is often achieved. As a result the value of a car converted from right hand drive to left hand drive is as much and often more than the cost of the conversion. There are however, a number of clear provisos in making this claim. First and foremost, the conversion has to be such that the car is precisely as it would have been had it been manufactured from new as a left hand drive car. The second key point to make is that the quality of the conversion has to be flawless, at least the equal of what was being produced at Feltham or Newport Pagnell “in the day” and that the car has the precise appearance of an original “export market” left hand drive motor car. Over the last year or so, the demand for these left hand drive conversions has risen substantially, particularly for the DB4, 5 and 6 models. Since the turn of the year we are seeing it increasingly now with the V8 models as well. As a direct result, The Aston Workshop have remanufactured or acquired just about all of the items that are required to do the “right to left” conversion. Be it on DB4, 5, 6 or a V8. Perhaps chief amongst these items is the Dashboard. As can readily be seen, the quality is superlative, and all of our dashboards are indistinguishable from the period correct, original items. Anyone contemplating a right hand to left hand conversion can be assured that the process is quite straightforward, taking no more than a few weeks to do, and that we are both experienced and skilled at doing them. If a left hand drive conversion is of interest, please do not hesitate to get in touch. We can certainly advise and readily provide an extremely competitive quotation for all work involved. History of the DB6 The DB6 was announced and shown to the public for the first time at the London Motor show in October 1965 and shares its general specification with the DB5. The most obvious difference between the DB6 and DB5 were changes made to the rear body, the rear spoiler or KAMM tail and the lengthened wheel base to realise a 4 seat capability, reduced cost of production and an improvement in performance through reducing drag and lift at speed. Other changes led to modification to the front to reduce lift, improve cooling and this led to the fitting of quarter bumper bars as opposed to the full width ones fitted to the DB5. The use of unequal length trailing arms for the rear axle, required to enable the adoption of an increased wheelbase, also had the benefit of increasing the rear end roll stiffness which further improved the general stability of the new DB6. Despite all of the modification for the DB6, weight was only marginally increased and the no cost option of a full Vantage specification engine realised a performance for the DB6, which rivalled that achieved by the DB4 GT some years earlier and never achieved with the DB5. On the road, the DB6 is noticeably steadier and in general use a more comfortable car with noticeably better internal room for driver and passenger alike. General handling is at least as good as the earlier DB5 and the ride generally is more controlled and comfortable. All in all, the DB6 though planned as an interim model, had indeed achieved a worthwhile gain over its predecessor, all be it at the expense of some of the purity of line exhibited by the DB4 and 5. While the general specification of the DB6 resembled closely that of the DB5, its achievable maximum speed went up to 148 mph from 141 mph with correspondingly improved acceleration. Overall this car has had many of the important and expensive items done, such as the structure. It has also been given a partial interior re-trim. However, the paint, aspects of its mechanics and detailing are still to be completed which is reflected in the price. This is a car with considerable opportunity to improve at comparatively little cost and has been given the foundation to become an excellent example.