282 bhp, 3,995 cc DOHC inline six-cylinder engine with triple SU carburettors, ZF five-speed manual gearbox, independent front suspension with upper and lower control arms, coil springs and anti-roll bar, live rear axle with coil springs, Watts linkage and radius rods, and four-wheel hydraulic disc brakes. Wheelbase: 101.7"

- Original RHD example, California car in recent decades

- Shown as part of the Aston Martin marque display at Pebble Beach in 1989

- Complete with a copy of the original Aston Martin build sheet

Debuting in 1959, the Aston Martin DB4 benefited from a new Tadek Marek-designed 3.7-litre DOHC alloy six-cylinder engine, which featured efficient hemispherical combustion chambers and a robust bottom end with seven main bearings. Variations of this torquey and versatile unit, later in 4.0-litre form, powered the DB4, DB5, DB6 and early DBS-model Aston Martins over the next 13 years. Of this distinguished lineage, the DB6 is increasingly appreciated today as the most refined and perhaps the most usable expression of David Brown’s gentleman’s grand-touring machine.

The DB6 continued the attractive covered-headlamp frontal treatment of the DB5, while the rear featured the distinctive and aerodynamically-efficient Kamm tail. Both front and rear were updated with an elegant ‘quarter bumper’ treatment which typifies the DB6 range. The chassis was extended to accommodate the finally useful rear seats, headroom was increased, and the body panels were, as always, of hand-formed aluminium construction. In all, just 1,321 DB6 Coupés were built between 1965 and 1970, and their performance, style and sophisticated driving dynamics contribute to their desirability among today’s marque enthusiasts.

This 1967 DB6 Coupé, DB6/3000/R, is an original right-hand drive example, delivered new with engine no. 400/2974. According to a copy of the original build sheet, its guarantee was issued on 5 October 1967, and it was sold new in the UK via prominent dealer H.R. Owen to its original owner O.S. Love, Esq. and registered as PHM 611 E. As delivered, it was equipped with a 3.73:1 rear-axle ratio, Avon Turbospeed GT tyres on chrome wheels with three-ear hubcaps, a heated rear screen and a power-operated radio antenna. During the intervening years, DB6/3000/R was refinished in Fiesta Red with dyed tan hides, and in 1989, it formed part of the Aston Martin feature gathering at the Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance. Today, the car remains very presentable overall and features a very nice engine bay, excellent paint and shutlines and fresh-appearing chrome wire wheels shod with Michelin tyres. Only some apparent wear and light scratches to the window frame brightwork mar its otherwise outstanding visual appearance. The engine number matches that on the chassis plate, which is 400/3039. Nicely presented and offered from a private Aston Martin collection, this is an excellent example of the last and most refined iteration of the marque’s most famous grand-touring design.