1967 Aston Martin DB6 Vantage Shooting-Brake

1967 Aston Martin DB6 Vantage Manual Shooting-Brake made for racing legend Innes Ireland by FLM Panelcraft, London, in Gunmetal Grey with Red Hide and Red Carpets.

One of only two built.

Chassis Number: DB63310R. Registration Number: YPP 798F.

The origins of Aston Martin began as long ago as 1913 when engineers Robert Bamford and Lionel Martin opened a small, specialised workshop at Henniker Place, South Kensington in London. Initially Bamford and Martin Ltd rebuilt and converted Singer 10s after World War One. After Robert Bamford's retirement, Lionel Martin obtained some financial backing from Count Zborowski and renamed the company Aston Martin Ltd.

Launched at the London Motor Show in October 1965, the all new Aston Martin DB6 marked a distinct departure from the coveted marque's previous models, the DB4 and DB5. The Touring designed Superleggera bodywork was augmented in the DB6 with more conventional framing for the aluminium outer bodywork, consisting of a steel floor pan and inner body panels at the rear. The engine was an evolution of the 3.7-litre alloy, straight six, designed by Polish born Aston engineer Tadek Marek for the DB4 in 1959. Versions of this torquey and versatile unit in various displacements powered the DB4, DB5 and DB6 Aston Martins for a period of 13 years.

Described as the "gentleman's express", the DB6 is unquestionably the ultimate development of the David Brown concept of the Grand Touring motor car. Famed competition driver and writer Jerry Titus stated in the April 1966 edition of Sports Car Graphic, "It is the most flexible, enjoyable Aston yet, in every way the handsome, luxury GT it should be…It offers luxury, comfort and safety and you can't legally use top gear in the United States."

Motor racing legend Innes Ireland, an Aston man through and through, wrote in the August 15th 1968 edition of Autocar, "In spite of the fact I had the Selectaride on the maximum and our cruising speed from Antwerp to Eupen was 120 mph, complete comfort prevailed."

Ireland was a hugely successful F1 driver, who also won the Tourist Trophy driving a Ferrari 250 GTO and campaigned a number of marques during his international racing career including Lotus and Cobras, as well as great success in GT40s and of course the Aston Martin DB4GT and Project cars. Innes Ireland was President of the British Racing Driver's Club until his death in 1993.

Aston Martin DB6 Vantage, chassis number DB63310R was bought new by Innes Ireland in 1967. In 1969 Ireland took the car to coachbuilders FLM Panelcraft to be converted into one of 2 shooting-brakes they produced on the DB6 chassis.

Today, this historically important motor car, which has not been seen in public since 1995 is finished in the most desirable colour combination of metallic Gunmetal Grey with Burgundy Hide upholstery. It has been subject to a complete ground up and fully documented restoration by Aston Martin Works Service. This magnificent vehicle has been virtually unused since the completion of the works and is offered with the benefit of the complete file of original restoration receipts from Aston Martin.

We are proud to offer for sale this unique, iconic 1960's "Gentleman's express" which is now on display in our central London showroom. Early viewing is recommended!