The new DB6 was launched in at the London Motor Show in 1965 with a more considered interior offering greater shoulder & lumber support whilst the dashboard offered minor upgrades. There was also better airflow at the front of the car with additional Powr-Lok limited slip differential and chrome wire wheels.
Finding a classic car with an extensive single-owner history is a rarity and represents a real bonus as one can only then be assured not only of its provenance but also that it has been extremely well cared-for during its lifetime. Incredibly, chassis 3348/R has been under the same current stewardship for nearly fifty years and, thanks to a copy of the original folding logbook and thanks to the vendor himself, the extensive history is complete.
The first owner is recorded as Rowse Muir Publications of Charlotte Street, London. A little additional research shows that the company to be a joint venture. David Rowse's idea backed by Dickie Muir's money, they were successful but ultimately the two men, bon-viveurs both, went their separate ways. Muir, immensely affable, also owned the Chelsea restaurant, La Popote, and the first change of keeper to Richard Temple Muir, is stamped as occurring on 8th February 1969.
On 9th March 1971, the car was then transferred to Wickham Securities of London, it is interesting that the 'Usual Signature' on the logbook for Wickham Securities is from the same Dickie Muir whose home address is noted as Wickham Place in Wickham Bishop. The car only remained there for 18 months before it went to Witham in Essex to a Jeremy Spalding the following year. The final entry into that document is a fascinating company. Conference and Exhibition Wardrobe Chambers of Queen Victoria Street, London, EC4 but to bring that ownership record right up to date, there is the used-car invoice when the current owner acquired this lovely DB6 in November 1977 from Isis Garage in Hayes, Middlesex.
The sales invoice records the odometer reading as 68,636 miles, it represents a very usable classic and suited the owner, an Aston Martin enthusiast and long-term member of the Aston Martin Owners Club (AMOC) well. It was never bought as a main means of transport rather just for the joy of ownership. Even then, it was a costly hobby and it was clear that the car was in need of some investment that was beyond the owner's immediate finances so in January 1981, he took it off the road. For the completeness of the history of the car, he asked contemporary neighbours for written confirmation that the car was laid up and these letters also from part of what is indeed a substantial history file.
In November 1982, he contracted a dealer to attend to the mechanical work that was required, unfortunately their quality of workmanship was less than impressive and the car was returned in December 1983. In 1985, substantial works were undertaken to brakes, discs and bearings as well as general maintenance. In 1986/87, the gearbox and clutch were extracted, timing chain, a general tuning work with greasing of important elements. The carburettors were rebuilt in 1988 along with plugs, points and ignition. At the same time, the power steering fluid was replaced as well as additional maintenance, brake pads, steering & track rod ends. More regular maintenance was caried on in the intervening years with associated records filed. A set of new stainless-steel wheels and tyres were fitted in 2011 with the front suspension stripped and re-fitted in 2012 alongside shock absorbers, front brakes and ancillaries. A couple of years later, all the brightwork was replaced as well as significant bodywork that was required at the time finishing off with painting of course and a significant service later that same year. In 2017, additional attention was paid to the front suspension with the carburettors removed in 2018.
The most recent works were undertaken by with Aston Specialists, ASD Workshops of Dorset, in 2022/23. In 2022, whereby the engine was extracted, stripped down, reground to -0.01 with new pistons & liners before being rebuilt. The following year the engine was overhauled once again including the clutch, exhaust manifold, steering rack as well as a rebuild of the front suspension, brakes and numerous other areas. A detailed breakdown can be found on the associated webpage.
This reflected in a cumulative cost in excess of £47,000. One cannot overstate the history accumulated and recorded over the current owner's stewardship of the car, it is a catalogue of personal notes, invoices but principally of a passionate relationship between an owner and his much-loved classic. There are notes from the owner to a garage when a minor problem with the Aston threatened its use as a wedding car for his daughter. Twice also, the car was hired out for events and it is always imperative for reliability to be at the forefront in these situations. There is also a hand-written note from Aston Specialist, Andy Chapman, congratulating the owner when he had owned the car for 32 years into his ownership. Only part way as we now know, it should be noted that the speedometer was replaced at the 7,280 mark so the total, in reality, is 108,186.
Resplendent in a metallic pale blue and with the benefit of a refurbished Webasto sunshine roof and five-speed manual gearbox adding for driving pleasure, this example ticks many boxes for the next potential Aston Martin owner. Consigned by Edward Bridger-Stille
Service History:
Service History
Date
Odometer
Service Agent
Work Carried Out
18.11.77
70,000
D&H Motors
Service with oils and filter changes, new Cam cover gasket, gaskets, brakes pads, anti-freeze
14.12.77
n/a
Aston Martin
Parts: fog lamp
19.12.77
n/a
Aston Martin
Parts: Lens & rim
01.02.78
72,500
Service
06.07.78
n/a
PJ Langford
Parts: Stainless steel front exhaust
12.07.78
n/a
Aston Martin
Parts: Ashtray
28.07.78
n/a
HWM
Parts: PAS pump
07.12.78
n/a
Motor Wheel Service
2 wheels/fitting
01.08.79
n/a
Russell Webb Ltd
Parts: Valve stems, oil filter, front oil seal, timing cover gasket, de-coke set, rubbing strips, exhaust valves, SU kits, hoses, nuts, air filter, points, & plugs
29.09.79
n/a
D & H Motors
Fit rear exhaust bracket, fit & wire horns, wire fog lamps, cure steering leak, number plates, insignia, sidelights, de-rust & refit
11.10.79
n/a
JP Exhausts
Stainless steel exhaust system
08.04.80
n/a
Car Hood Ltd
Fit black sunroof
10.06.80
87,000
D&H Motors
Short service & brake pads
11.12.80
n/a
D&H Motors
Remove alternator, strip & overhaul, fit twin PAS belts
31.01.81
n/a
D&H Motors
Service, check PAS and re-align steering
89,379
D&H Motors
Replace brake pipes front to back, replace handbrake pads
23.04.82
n/a
Auto Tempo Instrumentation
Parts: clock
08.03.84
n/a
Central Auto Repairs
Fit nearside front jacking point, fit new offside & nearside rear jacking points, fit new front & rear stone guards, Waxoyl sections
02.12.84
n/a
HWM
Press rear hubs from drive shafts
26.03.85
n/a
Russell Webb Ltd
33 hours labour & parts - rear discs, antifreeze, bleed screws, bearings, springs, seals, pistons, pads.
12.11.85
n/a
Promech Services
Parts: Servo kit incl. brackets/screws
21.11.85
n/a
Mendas
Dismantle old and fit new brake servos and bleed brakes
10.10.86
96,489
Richardson Motors
Remove gearbox & clutch, fit clutch supplies and rebuild, bleed brakes, change oil & filter, fit new plugs and points, adjust timing chain, fit new stop light and MoT
08.11.86
n/a
Hi-Way Hi-Fi Ltd
Bosch Autoflex
16.01.87
96,876
Rectify distributor drive & timing chain noise, compression test and tappet clearances. Replace timing chains and set valve timing. Carry out engine tune, carbs cleaned and float levels set. Plugs cleaned, new points fitted, dwell and timing set. New thermostat and gasket fitted. All hubs greased, tighten all trailing arms, straps fitted to exhaust
07.05.87
n/a
Aston Martin
Parts: lamps, badges, fittings
12.05.87
n/a
Marcos Sales
Deposit for restoration project
12.05.87
n/a
Marcos Sales
Repaint and refit, chrome work, screen/door rubbers, bottom joints, battery. Screen filler strips, wipers, 5 tyres, blast & re-coat wheels. MoT
01/10/87
n/a
Marcos Sales
Mechanical repairs, supply and fit tyres, steering overhaul, water pump, bleed brakes etc.
13.01.88
n/a
Aston Martin
Parts: pads, gaiter, rubbers
25.02.88
n/a
Gower & Lee
Remove and overhaul carburettors, clean and paint offside of engine & air box, refit carburetors, clean and adjust plugs + points, check and adjust timing, retune engine.
15.06.88
97,845
GP Auto Developments
Remove alternator, drain PAS fluid and remove pump & bracket. Fit s/h pump with new pulley refit all - top-up PAS fluid. Remove wheels, adjust handbrake, check axle, grease rear hub bearings & splines, check front hubs, adjust top kingpins & hub bearings. Replace brake pads and grease kingpins, steering & track rod ends. Change, filter, top-up radiator
27.10.88
n/a
Hi-Way Hi-Fi
Parts: Kenwood KER 626
08.12.88
n/a
Marcos Sales
Cover gear lever and tray in black leather
08.12.89
n/a
Classic Automobile Repair Services Ltd
Rear brake flexi-hose and brake pipes, oil filter, change & new plugs. Head gasket and top gaskets - new valves, guides, valve seats & axle overhaul
01.11.90
n/a
Peter Casher
Check out n/s/f window switch problem
30.10.90
n/a
Aston Service Dorset
Parts: wiper blade
09.12.91
n/a
Ian Mason
Parts: @ 2 x gaiters
18.04.91
n/a
Motor Wheel Service
2 x tubes, 2 x centre lock, 2 x fitting and balancing
21.09.92
n/a
Motor Wheel Service
Parts: 2 x chrome centre lock
13.04.93
n/a
Aston Workshop
Parts: Door top seal
23.01.95
n/a
Horsepower
Fit new steering gaiter
11.04.96
n/a
Aston Martin
Parts only: l/h pillar assembly
23.04.96
n/a
DC Heath
Repair and paintwork on o/s/f wing, o/s door, n/s door boot lid and top of front panel
04.09.97
02,540
Ian Mason
Reconnect battery master switch, replace one terminal clamp and secure battery. Replace starter motor with a service exchange unit, tighten belts, change oil and filter. New plugs, new condenser, new points and adjust ignition timing
11.04.00
03,481
Ian Mason
Gain access to propshaft and replace with exchange unit, replace defective horn relay & fuse, replace track rod end, and set steering track, grease chassis and suspension, check levels, road test and MoT
10.09.03
04,450
Enginuity
Change oil and filter, strip down o/s/r axle and half shaft re-shim and fit wheel bearing. Strip & re-shim steering rack, dry off oil and send for MoT re-test. Fabricate new exhaust mounts, refit & align exhaust in raised position
23.09.04
04,590
Enginuity
MoT
14.10.05
04,662
Enginuity
Deglaze all brake discs, remove o/s/r hub assembly and replace inner and outer oil seals and adjust steering rack
22.11.07
04,905
Enginuity
Remove electric window motors and send for reconditioning - refit, adjust and repair mechanism as necessary. Replace corroded wiring. Repair o/s door trim and refit trims. MoT
15.12.08
04,938
Enginuity
Carry out full engine tune - new points, plugs and condenser. MoT
27.04.09
04, 955
Enginuity
Replace points and condenser with electronic ignition system, fabricate silicone HT leads and fit to car, replace spark plugs and re-set carbs
10.12.10
05,211
Enginuity
Conduct compression test, reset mixture and carbs for best result
25.03.11
n/a
East Kent Trim Supplies
Parts: Windscreen chrome insert x 4
23.06.11
n/a
MWS International
4 x stainless steel wheels, 4 x 205/70VR15 tyres, fit/balance
23.06.11
n/a
Aston Martin Parts
Parts: Rawlnuts and screes
12.12.11
05,374
Enginuity
Lubricate choke mechanism and MoT
12.12.12
n/a
HWM
Parts: front shock absorber set, handbrake pad kit
17.12.12
05,413
Enginuity
Strip front suspension and fit two new shock absorbers, replace front brake discs and reface pads, unseize handbrake and cables and grease.
Replace handbrake pads and deglaze discs. Refresh coolant levels
03.09.13
n/a
Sheen Tyres & Exhausts
Parts: battery
28.02.14
05,455
Enginuity
MoT. Repair/replace o/s window motor wiring, replace no. 2 spark plug
05.03.14
n/a.
Classic Astons
Parts: fluid reservoir indicator
07.12.15
n/a
Enginuity
Remove all brightwork bumpers etc. Remove both doors and strip out windows. Cut off outer door skins, cut-out corrosion in frames, fabricate new sections, fit new skins and trim to fit.
Shot blast all corroded areas and repair remainder filling small dents. Replace roof lining before replacing windows, cut-out front section and fabricate new frame for radiator. Cut out n/s/f lower panel and fabricate and weld in replacement. Repair/replace sill sections, prepare & paint car.
17.12.15
05,763
Enginuity
Large service, replace brake caliper pistons with stainless steel replacements, bleed brakes. Remove instruments and replace back lights with LED units. Replace rear silencer mountings, replace water pump. Flat & polish car.
21.06.16
n/a
Enginuity
Payment of insurance excess
31.10.16
n/a
JMB Services
Parts: heater knob
10.11.16
06,035
Enginuity
MoT
25.11.17
06,280
Enginuity
Replace gearbox rubber mountings, o/s/f suspension, refurbish upper ball joint, replace steering rack ball. Clean washer jets, deglaze rear brake discs, reset o/s headlight, lubricate seat runners.
10.08.18
n/a
Enginuity
Remove carburettors, replace both engine mounts, replace carbs and replace PAS belt.
16.01.19
06,509
Enginuity
Repair wiring to fuse boxes, check levels, tyre pressures etc.
18.08.22
n/a
ASD Workshops Ltd
Parts for engine rebuild
18.10.22
n/a
ASD Workshops Ltd
Strip engine to its constituent parts, the currently standard crankshaft to be ground to -0.010 most parts, cylinder liners, pistons, rods etc. to be retained but new piston rings to be fitted. All engine parts degreased, shot-blasted and cleaned ready for re-assembly. Deliver head for lead-free conversion. Carburettors stripped and sonic cleaned, rebuilt with new gaskets. Steering rack & pump cleaned/degreased, sent to specialist for refurbish
09.12.22
n/a
ASD Workshops Ltd.
Check liner-housings, 5/6 need replacing. Advise fit all 6, fit sleeves & machine out to suit liners. Regrind crankshaft on mains & big ends.
31.01.23
n/a.
ASD Workshops Ltd
Rebuild engine, painting parts, fitting ancillaries. Clutch parts refaced, weld exhaust manifold and machine head. Cam covers repainted. Refit steering rack, replace steering hydraulic pipes, underseal rear chassis. Front suspension stripped and rebuilt after cleaning and painting as necessary. Rear brake discs replaced and calipers refurbished. Replaced rear differential pinion oil seal and cover gasket. Paint differential cover and replace gearbox output seal. Paint PAS reservoir, coolant header tank, engine mounts, air box & other parts.
05.05.23
07,280
ASD Workshops Ltd.
Remove engine from stand, reface clutch & cover, fitted dowels to the flywheel. Fit clutch and cover, blast thermostat housing and replace thermostat. Refit engine & gearbox back to car and refit interior. Fit radiator, carbs & all ancillaries, replace oil temperature gauge with reconditioned unit. Fit refurbished calipers and rear pads. Fit airbox and new fuel pump. Check power steering, fix leak. Sent brake and cutch master cylinders for refurbishment. Replace o/s outrigger and jogging point. Underseal.
MOT History
MOT History
Date
Odometer
Date
Odometer
14.11.78
80,238
31.07.02
04,296
21.10.83
94,635
09.09.03
04,451
10.10.86
96,489
23.09.04
04,590
25.09.87
97,308
14.09.05
04,662
17.09.88
98,102
18.10.06
04,803
08.12.89
98,556
15.10.07
04,903
15.12.90
99,062
15.12.08
04,938
21.01.93
99,725
15.12.09
05,037
12.01.94
00,613
06.12.10
05,211
24.01.95
01,423
12.12.11
05,374
04.01.96
01,954
17.12.12
05,416
25.02.97
02,420
24.02.14
05,455
26.02.98
02,645
11.12.15
05,763
09.03.99
02,655
10.11.16
06,035
03.03.00
03,481
28.11.17
06,280
01.08.01
03,910
16.01.19
06,509
Lot details
Year: 1968
Make: Aston Martin
Model: DB6 Saloon
Registration: VGX 820
Chassis No: DB6/3348/R
Engine No: 400/3433
Odometer: 00,906
* Matching numbers with extensive history file
* Present owner for 48+ years
* Five-speed ZF gearbox with power assisted steering
- FuelElectric
- Body TypesSaloon
- TransmissionManual
- Exterior Colour
- Number of doors
