First shown at the London Motor Show in October of 1965, the Aston Martin DB6 proudly followed in the footsteps of its predecessor, now famous from starting alongside James Bond on the silver screen. The drop-top DB6 Volante was released a year later. Adding the thrill of open-air motoring to an already sophisticated motorcar, the DB6 Volante was the perfect convertible tourer for four. Prince Charles was gifted a DB6 Volante by his mother on the occasion of his 21st birthday in 1969, perhaps the ultimate endorsement of the model.

This particular DB6 Volante, chassis number 3623, boasts a fascinating early history, as recounted recently to RM Sotheby’s by previous owner and Aston Martin collector Anthony Moody. This was one of two DB6 Volantes delivered new to Mr. and Mrs. John “Jack” Dorrance Jr. His father, John Dorrance Sr. invented condensed soup and served as the president of the Campbell Soup Company from 1914-1930. Upon his passing in 1930, Dorrance Sr. left the bulk of his shares in the company to Jack, and Jack himself was chairman of the company from 1962 to 1984. Delivered alongside chassis number 3644 in August of 1967 through Aston Martin’s distributorship in King of Prussia, Pennsylvania, this car is thought to have been finished in triple black when new and fitted with factory air conditioning. Interestingly, 3644 was said to be finished in triple-white.

It is not known how long the car remained with the Dorrance family, but by the mid to late 1990s, it was acquired by Anthony Moody from a classic car dealer in Philadelphia. Moody shipped the car to Import Classics of Marietta, Georgia, where its automatic gearbox was replaced with a ZF five-speed and refinished black.

Upon the completion of that work, Moody shipped the car to the U.K. and had it registered there. RS Williams was then commissioned to perform a complete mechanical overhaul, including upgrading the engine to 4.2-litre specifications. Moody very much used his new DB6 Volante as its creators would have intended, and it was enjoyed by him on a number of vintage rallies, including the Rally du Maroc in 2003, Rallye de Slovenie, and the Rallye des Alpes.

Acquired by the current owner in 2004 from Moody through RS Williams, he commissioned a restoration with Aston Martin works in 2007. He requested the car to be refinished in its current colours of Dubonnet Red over an Oxblood interior. Importantly, several upgrades were undertaken to provide for a more refined driving experience, which included fitting a modern four-speed automatic transmission (which retained the original gear selector), electric power steering, the suspension was upgraded to fit Koni adjustable shock absorbers. Inside, passengers were treated to a bespoke air conditioning system, along with a Blaupunkt stereo with satellite navigations.

Since its restoration, the car has been driven less than 800 km and still presents exceptionally well throughout. Thanks to its modern upgrades, this DB6 Volante remains eminently usable for the enthusiast looking to enjoy the thrills of vintage motoring on the open road with a family of four.