Aston Martin DB6
1965-1971 · Aston Martin DB6 — Grand Tourer, Inline-6, designed by Carrozzeria Touring.
The Story
The DB6 (1965) was the practical, faster evolution of the DB5 – a 3.75-inch-longer wheelbase, a true 2+2 cabin, and an aerodynamic Kamm tail that improved high-speed stability (a Vantage hit 152 mph in John Bolster’s test). It was the first Aston engineered after the move from Feltham to Newport Pagnell.
The Vantage (triple Webers) and the rare Volante (140 built) are the ones to have. Most famously, the future King Charles III still owns a DB6 Volante – a 21st-birthday gift, converted in 2008 to run on bioethanol made from ‘surplus English white wine and whey from the cheese process.’
The Numbers
Benchmarked against its class
Each dial ranks this car within its Grand Tourer class — fuller means higher, and the tick marks the class midpoint.
Signature Colors
The Designer
Carrozzeria Touring
Milanese coachbuilder famed for ‘Superleggera’ construction (alloy panels over a tubular frame). Federico Formenti penned the DB4/DB5/DB6 – among the most beautiful GTs ever. Source: Wikipedia.
Studio Motors POV
The connoisseur’s classic DB – faster and roomier than the DB5, royally owned, and quietly the smart-money buy in the DB4/5/6 trio. A Volante is the one to chase.
The Engine
Aston Martin Tadek Marek I6 (3.7-4.0)
Market & Value
Values on cars like this move monthly. Our brokers price from real transactions.
What Reviewers Said About DB6
Worth Knowing About the DB6
3 Things You Didn’t Know
- 1. King Charles III owns a DB6 Volante (a 21st-birthday gift) that runs on E85 bioethanol – made, he says, from surplus English wine and cheese-process whey.
- 2. Its Kamm tail and longer wheelbase made it faster and more stable than the DB5, despite the same engine.
- 3. The DB6 Volante (140 built) helped establish the 'Volante' name Aston still uses today.
5 Fast Facts
- 1. 1965-1971; 1,788 built (the most numerous classic DB).
- 2. 4.0 twin-cam six: 282 bhp (Vantage 325); ~150 mph.
- 3. Kamm tail; 3.75-in longer wheelbase; 2+2 cabin.
- 4. Volante convertible: 140 built (incl. 29 Vantage Volante).
- 5. First Aston built after the move to Newport Pagnell.
Provenance
Owners & what to look for
Famous Owners
King Charles III (then Prince Charles) owns a DB6 Volante Mk2 – a 21st-birthday gift, converted to bioethanol in 2008 (source: BBC).
Studio Buyer’s Brief
The DB6 Vantage (325 bhp, triple Webers) and the rare Volante (140 built) are the picks; saloons offer the most usable classic-DB value. Faster and roomier than a DB5 but less Bond-famous – so often better value. Check the body, the six and matching numbers.
Full Specifications
- Make / Model
- Aston Martin DB6
- Class
- Grand Tourer
- Production years
- 1965-1971
- Units built
- 1,788 (Mk1 + Mk2 + Volante)
- Variants
- DB6 Vantage; DB6 Volante; DB6 Mk2; Short Chassis Volante (1965)
- Engine layout
- Front
- Engine
- Inline-6
- Engine family
- Aston Martin Tadek Marek I6 (3.7-4.0)
- Displacement
- 3,995 cc (4.0L) straight-six
- Power
- 325 hp
- Torque
- 295 lb-ft
- 0–60 mph
- 6.2 s
- Top speed
- 150 mph
- Power-to-weight
- 220 hp/tonne · 10 lb/hp
- Transmission
- 5-speed ZF manual (3-speed Borg-Warner auto optional)
- Drivetrain
- RWD (front engine) · Petrol
- Curb weight
- 3250 lb
Questions
DB6 FAQ
Does King Charles III own an Aston Martin DB6?
Yes. King Charles III owns a DB6 Volante Mk2, received as a 21st-birthday gift. In 2008 the car was converted to run on E85 bioethanol made, as the King described it, from surplus English white wine and whey produced in the cheese-making process. It remains one of his most-used classic cars.
How does the Aston Martin DB6 differ from the DB5?
The DB6 (1965-1971) introduced a 3.75-inch longer wheelbase for genuine 2+2 seating, an aerodynamic Kamm tail for improved high-speed stability, and revised suspension. It uses the same 4.0-litre Tadek Marek straight-six as the DB5 (282 bhp standard, 325 bhp Vantage) but is measurably faster and more aerodynamically stable at speed.
How many Aston Martin DB6 Volantes were built?
Aston Martin built 140 DB6 Volantes in total — 111 standard Volantes and 29 Vantage Volantes (325 bhp, triple Weber carburettors). The Volante established the convertible nameplate that Aston Martin has used continuously ever since, including on the DB9, DB11, and DBS.
What is an Aston Martin DB6 worth today?
Aston Martin DB6 examples trade for approximately $350,000-$700,000 in 2025. The Volante (140 built), particularly in Vantage specification (29 built), commands the highest values. With 1,788 built — more numerous than the DB5 — the DB6 often represents better value while offering a roomier, faster car.
Can you finance an Aston Martin DB6?
Yes. The DB6 is well-served by specialist classic and exotic-car lenders; its values are stable and broadly supported by collector demand.
The Aston Martin Lineup
Explore every Aston Martin
DB4 GT Zagato ’60DB5 ’63DB6 ’65DBS (1967) ’67V8 ’69
Lagonda ’76V8 Vantage (1977) ’77
V8 Vantage (Supercharged) ’93DB7 ’94DB7 Vantage ’99
V12 Vanquish ’01DB9 ’04V8 Vantage (2005) ’05DBS (2007) ’07V12 Vantage (2009) ’09One-77 ’09
Rapide ’10Vanquish (2012) ’12V12 Zagato ’12V12 Vantage GT12 ’15DB11 ’16Vanquish Zagato ’16Vantage ’18DBS Superleggera ’18
DBX ’20Valkyrie ’21V12 Speedster ’21V12 Vantage (2022) ’22Valour ’23Vanquish (2024) ’24Valiant ’24Valhalla ’25
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