ASTON MARTIN PROJECT TOPS SHANNONS AUTUMN AUCTION

Normally, it’s fully restored or high-quality survivor cars that are the best sellers at auction, but Shannons’ recent Timed Online Autumn Auction broke that trend, with the top seller being a project car, partially disassembled and in need of restoration.

What made this car significant, despite its condition, was the fact it was not only a classic Aston Martin DB6, but also in the desirable Vantage specification, meaning the 4.0-litre DOHC six-cylinder engine was fitted with triple Weber carburettors and a modified cylinder head that increased the maximum power from 210kW (282hp) to 242kW (325hp), with 400Nm (295lb/ft) maximum torque.

While these outputs, along with the choice of a ZF five-speed manual or Borg Warner three-speed automatic transmission, were unchanged from the DB5, the DB6 enabled that performance to be enjoyed more comfortably as notable changes were made elsewhere.

Introduced in late 1965, the DB6 was slightly longer overall and had a taller roof compared to the DB5 it replaced, but the bigger change was the 3.75-inch longer wheelbase, which freed up interior space and moved the Aston closer to a true four-seater than a 2+2.

Both coupe and ‘Volante’ convertible body styles were offered, the latter on the shorter DB5 wheelbase initially, with a handful of wagons coachbuilt by Radford, too. All used a combination of steel and aluminium construction, with the lighter Superleggera body no longer available.

While the DB6 and DB5 look similar, the DB6 is easy to pick due to its two-piece bumpers front and rear, as well as the front vent windows.

Newly-available options offered during DB6 production included air conditioning and power steering, while a ‘MkII’ version that arrived in 1969 featured flared wheelarches to accommodate wider wheels and tyres, with alloy wheels from the DBS also optional. Fuel injection became available with the MkII, too, but the AE-Brico system that Aston Martin adopted proved to be unpopular with DB6 owners, most of whom converted their cars to carburettor induction.

On the market until the end of 1970, a total of 1,755 DB6s were built; the bulk of these being the earlier type, with only 423 being in MkII specification.

The DB6 auctioned with Shannons was a 1967 model, finished in Platinum White with an interior in black Connolly leather. The Vantage-spec six was bolted to the more desirable five-speed manual, with other factory-fitted features including wire spoke wheels, a heated rear screen and power antenna.

Delivered new to the UK, the DB6 was exported to Australia in the late 1970s, by which time it had racked up 51,000 miles. The car changed hands several times in a brief period before coming into the late owner’s possession in 1981 with 62,556 miles on the odometer.

Over the next 42 years of ownership, the DB6 was driven sparingly, so had only 67,513 miles when it was taken off the road with a view to restoration by a marque expert, but only got as far as having the engine and transmission removed.

Despite a decade spent in the UK, the body was described as sound, and while a replacement 4.0-litre engine had been sourced and fully rebuilt, the original engine block was included with the sale.

Reflecting the desirability of early Aston Martins and this example’s restorable condition, Shannons attached a pre-auction estimate of $200,000 - $250,000, which proved to be on the money as the car sold for $226,000. When fully restored, this DB6 could easily sell for more than twice that price.

Other notable sales in the 245-lot auction included $55,000 for a 1970 Chrysler VG Valiant Pacer, $35,500 for a wild 1960 Plymouth Fury station wagon in eye-catching pink, $40,000 for a super-rare 1951 DKW ‘Schnellaster’ van, $23,000 for a 1957 VW Beetle and $39,500 for a 1983 WB Kingswood ute.

Bigger money went the way of a 1978 Porsche 911 SC ($103,000), 1994 Ferrari 456 GT ($120,000) and 1992 348 TS ($160,000), 2011 Tesla Roadster ($106,000), 1976 Morgan Plus 8 ($100,000) and 2017 HSV GTS-R ($153,000).

Some big ticket items to be passed in included a 2018 Nissan GT-R Track Edition, 1961 Jaguar E-Type roadster, 1999 Ferrari 550 Maranello and 2004 Lamborghini Gallardo, as well as classic Aussie muscle, with an XB Falcon John Goss Special, XA Falcon GT sedan and LH Torana SL/R 5000 also failing to find buyers.

As with past Shannons auctions, the heritage number plates outperformed everything else, with six-figure sums for Queensland, New South Wales and Victorian plates. The two best sellers in this space were VIC ‘52’ and NSW ‘31’, which sold for $1.45 million and $1.64 million, respectively.