After spending 30 years in a garage, Aston Martin DB6 Vantage has now been brought back to life.
The incredibly rare car, that is now worth £500,000, was the first to leave the production line in September 1965.
This show car traveled 17,000 miles in the US and was used to promote the automobile manufacturers’ state-of the-art products.
The Aston went into private ownership after only a few years. In 1976, it was placed in storage and left to fall apart.
The Vantage went unremembered until it was purchased by John Cook, a classic car enthusiast at an auction in 2014.
He spent a whopping £300,000 on an extensive restoration project, returning the car to its factory condition with Fiesta red paintwork and black leather interior.
After spending 30 years in a garage, Aston Martin DB6 Vantage has finally been brought back to life.
John Cook, a classic car enthusiast and collector of vintage cars (pictured), bought the Vantage at an auction in 2014. He spent a whopping £300,000 on an extensive restoration project, returning the car to its factory condition with Fiesta red paintwork and black leather interior
The incredibly rare time capsule, that is now worth £500,000, was the first to leave the production line in September 1965
A 1966 Daily Mail advertisement enticed people to purchase the car, pointing out that it was covered with genuine leather.
You will also find original magazines reviews, the parts catalog, instructions book, logbook and test certificates.
Charles Ramsey of Classic Connection, Burley, Hamshire said that the car was one of the ‘rarest DB6s in existence.
He stated that the most striking thing about the car was its first DB6 Vantage – the only DB6 – which left the production line.
It was used for magazine reviews and factory demonstrations, making it extremely rare.
“The car was fully restored in Fiesta Red and has all the specifications that were original to it, as opposed to other cars of this type which have been frequently modified.
“The history file also includes car reviews from magazines, the owner logbook and instruction books.
“It is a blessing that this part of Aston Martin’s history was found after it had been lying neglected and then restored to such an amazing degree.”
Aston Services Dorset was appointed to restore vintage Astons. Mr Cook turned the motor over.
Between 1965 and 1970, only 1,788 DB6s was produced at Newport Pagnell (Bucks).
Also, the leather seats of the vehicle have been reupholstered to bring back its original luxurious feel.
Original copies of magazines reviews, parts catalogs, instructions books, logbooks, test certificates, and owner logbooks still exist on the car. Above: The logbook
Charles Ramsey of Classic Connection, Burley, Hamshire said that the car was one of the ‘rarest DB6s in existence.
Aston Services Dorset was appointed restorers of vintage Astons by Mr Cook. The motor was handed over to them for restoration.
Between 1965 and 1970, only 1,788 DB6s made by Aston Martin in Newport Pagnell (Bucks) were produced. Only 71 Vantage models were produced, although the Vantage model was released in 1966. Above: Apprentice mechanic Toby Eyles-Jones cleans the Vantage in the Aston Service Dorset garage
Although the Vantage model was first released in 1966, only 71 examples were produced.
Vantages offered even greater performance and were more expensive.
The 4.0-litre straight-six-cylinder engine could produce 325 horsepower, compared to the standard DB6’s 282bhp.
Burley native Mr Cook (56), said that cars from the period were often so valuable that owners forget about them. This seems to be the case for this car. When I bought it, it was in a serious state of disrepair and I gave it to Aston Services Dorset to undergo a £300,000 restoration.’ Above: This is the car before the restoration began.
The Vantage variant came out in 1966 but only 71 models were made. Vantages offered even greater performance and were much more rare.
A 4.0-litre six-cylinder straight-six-cylinder engine was available that could generate 325bhp compared with 282bhp the standard DB6s.
Burley native Mr Cook (56), stated that “cars of this period frequently reached the point where their value fell and owners forgot about them, which appears to have been the case here.”
‘When I bought it, it was in a serious state of disrepair and I gave it to Aston Services Dorset to undergo a £300,000 restoration.
“It is a beautiful car and it is my dream to pass it on to another person to love.
‘I have another project so I need to clear the decks in order to prepare for it.
“I love finding antique things and getting them back to their original glory.