Why ‘worst’ can be best value

Experts warn that even tidy-looking DB6s may require a costly restoration, so factor this into your budget, says Vantage managing editor Peter Tomalin

PHOTOGRAPHY Matthew Howell

NIGEL WOODWARD, manager of the Heritage workshop at Aston Martin Works, has words of caution for potential DB6 buyers. ‘These are 50-year-old cars now, so unless they’ve had a recent restoration or they’ve been incredibly well looked after, they’re going to need restoring.’ The construction was essentially the same as for DB4 and 5 – a steel platform chassis, to which a tubular steel framework was attached, in turn supporting aluminium coachwork. Any, or all, of it can rust, particularly the steel platform. Restoration costs, consequently, are just the same as for a DB4/5. Independent specialist Desmond J Smail charges £200,000-250,000 plus VAT; a Works body-off restoration costs £350,000. Plus VAT… And as Desmond Smail says: ‘Even if you’re paying £250,000 to £300,000 for a DB6, if you want to get it…

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Octane (Digital) - 1 Issue, October 1, 2015

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