Aston Martin DB6

From Infogalactic: the planetary knowledge core
Jump to: navigation, search
Aston Martin DB6
Aston Martin Volante
Aston Martin DB6 r.jpg
1967 Aston Martin DB6 MkI
Overview
Manufacturer Aston Martin
Production 1965–1970
1,788 produced
Body and chassis
Class Grand tourer (S)
Body style DB6 2-door coupé 2+2
Volante four-seat convertible
Layout FR layout
Powertrain
Engine DOHC Straight six, 3995 cc, 282 bhp @ 5500 rpm 280 lbs-ft @ 4500 rpm
Transmission ZF 5-speed overdrive manual or Borg-Warner 3-speed automatic
Dimensions
Wheelbase 101.5 in (2,578 mm)[1]
Length 182 in (4,623 mm)[2]
Width 66 in (1,676 mm)
Height 53.5 in (1,359 mm)
Curb weight 3,250 lb (1,474 kg)[3]
Chronology
Predecessor Aston Martin DB5
Successor Aston Martin DBS

The Aston Martin DB6 is a grand tourer made by British car manufacturer Aston Martin. Produced from September 1965 to January 1971, the DB6 had the longest production run up to that date of any Aston Martin model.[4] The DB6 succeeded the Aston Martin DB5 and featured improved aerodynamics and specification over its predecessor.

History and design

After Aston Martin rejected proposals for a replacement for its DB5 from Touring of Milan, the decision was made to focus on their own development car, registered 4 YMC. Wind tunnel testing, begun in February 1965, showed development was necessary to counteract a tendency toward aerodynamic lift [a result of the fastback styling] causing reduced rear-wheel traction at high speed. Final development phases relied upon DB5 chassis, suitably lengthened and titled MP 219, with rear lip-spoiler and abbreviated Kammback tail Aston Martin previously incorporated in sports-racing prototypes. The decision was made to produce MP 219 as the Aston Martin DB6 although the prototype de Dion rear axle was rejected, Aston's soldiering on with its well-located live-axle configuration reducing time to market, cost and complexity.

Introduced at the 1965 London Motor Show, the DB6 was already a dated design[5] notable as the first model engineered following a factory relocation from Feltham to Newport Pagnell. The DB6 has a resemblance to its predecessor, the DB5; with the most noticeable differences being its wheelbase, side profile, split front and rear bumpers and rear panels incorporating the Kammback tail rear end. The tail, combined with the relocated rear-axle and the 3.75-inch (95 mm) lengthened wheelbase, provide more stability at high speed. Though fashionable — the rear-end Kamm-styled design was similar to the Ferrari 250 — it did not prove popular with conservative, tradition oriented Aston clientele when the DB6 was introduced. Performance was satisfactory: road-tests of the day observed top speed of the Vantage model between 145 mph (233 km/h) to 148 mph (238 km/h), with John Bolster aboard a Vantage spec DB6 reaching a two-way average of 152 mph (245 km/h).[6]

The DB6 continued with then high-tech Armstrong Selectaride cockpit-adjustable rear shock absorbers as available on the DB5.[7] Other highlights include adopting front-door quarter windows, an oil-cooler air scoop low on the front valance, quarter-bumpers at each corner, revised tail-lamp clusters; additionally the spoiler affected the overall proportions of the DB6, with an increase in length by approximately two inches.

Other notable changes:

  • Roof line raised by two inches improving headroom especially for rear seat passengers
  • Genuinely useful leg room for rear passengers
  • More steeply raked albeit taller windscreen
  • Split front and rear bumpers
  • Standard chrome wire wheels on bias-ply whitewall tyres [in USA market]
  • Optional power steering
  • Optional air conditioning
  • Standard ZF five-speed manual unit and a BorgWarner or optional three-speed automatic gearbox available at no extra cost
  • Optional Vantage specification retaining triple side-draft Weber 45DCOE carburetors with other minor revisions raising quoted output to 325 hp

Another major change from the DB5 to DB6 was abandonment of the full superleggera construction technique patented by coachbuilders/stylist Touring of Milan. For later DB6's construction, the more common body-on-platform technique was used; this was primarily due to the extended rear requiring a stronger and more rigid design using folding sheet metal frames. Surprisingly the modifications combined to add only seventeen pounds weight compared to the DB5.[8]

Specifications

File:Aston DB6 in London.jpg
Aston Martin DB6 pictured in London

The DB6 is powered by the 3,995 cc (243.8 cu in) twin-overhead camshaft (DOHC), in-line six-cylinder Aston Martin engine designed by Tadek Marek. The engine, continued with its triple SU carb setup[9] producing 282 bhp (210 kW; 286 PS) at 5,500 rpm; the Vantage engine option is quoted at 325 bhp (242 kW; 330 PS) against the 314 bhp (234 kW; 318 PS) of the DB5. Although the weight of the DB6 was approximately 17 lb (7.7 kg) heavier than its predecessor, the stability at high speed, added luggage capacity and comforts for passengers in this grand tourer more than offset any imperceptible loss in performance caused by additional weight. The rear suspension used helical coil springs with ride control that was adjustable from inside the car.[10]

  • Kerb weight: 1,474 kg (3,250 lb)
  • Engine: 4.0 L (3,995 cc (243.8 cu in)) straight-6
  • Compression ratio: standard=8.9:1 ; Vantage=9.4:1
  • Power: 282 hp (210 kW) at 5500 rpm (standard engine)
  • Power: 325 hp (242 kW) at 5750 rpm (optional Vantage engine)
  • Torque: Lua error in Module:Convert at line 272: attempt to index local 'cat' (a nil value). at 4500 rpm
  • Top Speed: 241 km/h (150 mph)
  • 0–60 mph (97 km/h) Acceleration: 8.4 s
  • Steering: rack and pinion with optional power assist
  • Fuel tank capacity: 19 imp gallons (standard)
    16 imp gallons (with optional air conditioning)

Later models and variants

1967 DB6 Vantage
1967 Aston Martin Volante, DB6-based, Vantage-specs

The DB6 Mark II was announced on 21 August 1969, identified by distinct flares on front and rear wheel arches and wider tyres on 1/2" wider wheels. Available as an optional extra for the Mark II was AE Brico electronic fuel-injection combined with the higher compression ratio cylinder head. The Mark II edition shared many parts with the then-new DBS.

As with previous Aston Martin models, a high-power DB6 Vantage was offered. It was equipped with three Weber carburetors and higher compression ratio cylinder head.

A convertible body style was also offered, named the Volante.[11] [12] This was introduced at the 1966 London Motor Show. The DB6-based Volante succeeded the earlier (1965–1966) Volantes which were built on the last of the DB5 chassis' and were known as "short chassis" Volantes. Of the later DB6-based Volantes just 140 were built, including 29 high-output Vantage Volante versions, highly prized by collectors.

Charles, Prince of Wales, owns a DB6-based Volante MkII that has been converted to run on bioethanol.[13][14] The car was given to him by his mother on his 21st birthday.[14]

Shooting Brake

A total of six-seven DB6 Shooting-brakes were produced by British coachbuilder Harold Radford.[15][16] The engine options (282 and 325 hp) were the same as for the DB6 Saloon.

  • Kerb weight: 1,587 kg (3,499 lb)
  • Overall length: 180 in (4,572 mm)
  • Overall width: 66 in (1,676 mm)
  • Height: 52 in (1,321 mm)
  • Turning radius: 34 feet
  • Wheelbase: 98 in (2,489 mm)
  • Track: 54 in (1,372 mm)(f)
    53.5 in (1,359 mm)(r)
  • Fuel tank capacity: 16 imp gal (73 L; 19 US gal)

References

  • L. A. Manwaring, The Observer's Book of Automobiles (12th ed., 1966), Library of Congress catalogue card 62-9807, pp. 41–43
  1. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  2. ↑ http://storm.oldcarmanualproject.com/astonmartin/Aston%20Martin%20DB6%2013.jpg
  3. ↑ L. A. Manwaring, The Observer's Book of Automobiles (12th ed., 1966) lists the kerb weight (which includes full fuel, cooling liquid and oil) as 3,250 lb
  4. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  5. ↑ Chris Harvey and The Oxford Illustrated Press, Ltd, Aston Martin and Lagonda, Ch.VI, pg. 73, ISBN 978-0-902280-68-7
  6. ↑ Chris Harvey and The Oxford Illustrated Press, Ltd, [Somerset, UK] Aston Martin and Lagonda, 1979; Ch.VI, pg. 70–75,
  7. ↑ C. Harvey and TOI Press, Ltd, Aston Martin and Lagonda, Ch.VI, pg. 69,
  8. ↑ C. Harvey, TOI Press, Ltd, Aston Martin and Lagonda, Ch.III, pg 27,
  9. ↑ Chris Harvey et al Aston Martin and Lagonda, Ch.VI, pg. 72
  10. ↑ http://storm.oldcarmanualproject.com/astonmartin/Aston%20Martin%20DB6%2012.jpg
  11. ↑ Aston Martin DB6 and Volante sales brochure, www.tocmp.org Retrieved on 15 February 2015
  12. ↑ The Observer's Book of Automobiles, Fifteenth Edition, 1969, page 43
  13. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  14. ↑ 14.0 14.1 Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  15. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  16. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.

External links

Aston Martin and Lagonda road car timeline, 1948–present
Type 1940s 1950s 1960s 1970s 1980s 1990s 2000s 2010s
8 9 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 0 1 2 3 4 5 6
Owner David Brown Limited Wilson Sprague, Minden Gauntlett, Pace Gauntlett, Livanos Gauntlett, Livanos, Ford Ford Motor Company Dar, Adeem, Bez, Richards Investindustrial, Primewagon, Dar et al.
City car Cygnet
Luxury car Rapide
Lagonda 2.6 Litre 3 Litre Rapide V8 Taraf
Sports car DB1 DB2 DB2/4 DBMKIII Volante Vantage
Grand Tourer DB4 DB5 DB6 Vantage DB7 DB7 Vantage DB9
DBS AMV8 V8 Virage V8 Virage
Supercar V8 Vantage V8 Vantage V12 Vanquish DBS Vanquish
One-77 Vulcan
Zagato DB4GT Zagato V8 Zagato DB7 Zagato DBAR1 V12 Zagato
Concepts
Retrieved from "https://infogalactic.com/w/index.php?title=Aston_Martin_DB6&oldid=716181711"