By 1969, Aston Martin was winding down production on the DB6. The iconic model had evolved from the DB4 and was now over a decade old. As attention turned towards the newer, more modern-looking DBS, Aston Martin unveiled a final swan song: the DB6 Mk 2.

Mechanically, the Mk 2 was largely unchanged from its predecessor; the Borg & Beck clutch plate was replaced with a 10.5-inch version, and the previously optional power-assisted steering was now fitted as standard. Both the ZF five-speed manual gearbox and the automatic transmission were available. However, a new option of Brico fuel injection was offered and fitted to just 46 cars. Visually, the new Mk 2 benefitted from several DBS components utilized to keep costs down while subtly upgrading the look of the DB6. Most recognizable of these upgrades are the wider 8.15-by-15-inch Avon wheels, which necessitated flared front and rear wheel arches. Previously optional three-ear knockoffs were fitted as standard, and the interior was redesigned to more closely resemble the DBS—including trimming the front seats with pleated leather.

As was customary for Aston Martin, the Vantage engine was available as an option for those owners who wanted that extra power boost. Having evolved from the DB4 Special Series engine first seen in 1961, Vantage engines were fitted with three Weber carburetors instead of the standard two. In the highest “C” state of tune, the DB6 Mk 2 Vantage engine now produced 325 horsepower as compared to the standard 282. Only 71 Mk 2s were fitted with the Vantage engine from new, of which only a handful were delivered left-hand-drive, including the example offered here.

This Canadian-delivery DB6, believed to be one of the final DB6s built, was originally finished in Aluminum silver paint and trimmed in Dark Blue Connolly leather with a grey headliner. The car was fitted with numerous optional accessories, including front and rear seat belts, two wing mirrors, a pair of Lucas driving lights, a Bosch New Yorker radio, and even 12 pints of antifreeze, which of course would have been necessary for long Canadian winters. Additionally, the car was fitted with rare factory Coolaire air conditioning, which is an option seldom seen on any DB6, let alone a Vantage model. It was purchased new by Oskar Rajsky, of My Lord Shirt Manufacturing Company. Instead of picking up his DB6 from a dealership, Mr. Rajsky opted to collect his new Aston Martin from the factory, then drove the car around Europe for a few weeks. After returning from his travels abroad, the car was shipped to Canada and delivered back to him through Performance Centre of Toronto, Ontario, on 15 May 1970.

The car remained in Mr. Rajsky’s care in the Toronto area, where it was regularly exercised but carefully preserved. Under his ownership the car never received a full restoration, save for just one repaint in its original color. In 2015 the car was sold to just its second owner, and has since resided in their well-respected private collection. The interior remains largely original, save for minor wear requisite for a car of its age and an upgrade to a Blaupunkt radio. The car is accompanied by its original instruction book, a copy of its build information, and a file of service history from the current owner and select invoices from Mr. Rajsky’s ownership.

This Mk 2 Vantage-specification example is the ultimate iteration of the DB6 platform, checking all the right boxes. With only two owners from new, it offers its next caretaker the rare opportunity to be just the third owner of one of the most cherished Aston Martin models of all time.