Estimate: £48,000-60,000

Sold £47,000

Few cars of recent years have such charisma as the DB Series of Aston Martins. Part of the reason, undoubtedly, is their timeless elegance allied to superb driving qualities and hand-crafted standards of construction. Indeed people are now realising that the DB Series marks a high water mark of Aston Martin development and it is unlikely that we shall ever see their like again. Whether DB4, 5 or 6, each has its loyal band of devotees happy to point out their particular virtues. Yet whichever of these delightful models one eventually chooses, one is unlikely ever to be disappointed or feel short-changed. The DB6, the final flowering of the type, was considerably altered with hardly a single body contour remaining the same. The idea was to create more room by lengthening DB5 chassis and were therefore uniquely 4 inches shorter. This is because they combine the handling qualities and aesthetic beauty of the DB5 Series with the improved reliability and increased power of the DB6 Series. The example presented here today has, according to the vendor, been maintained to the highest possible standards. It was previously owned by David Telfer-Smollett who rebuilt the car, no expense spared in 1991. The chassis and running gear were all brought upto perfect condition and the interior; loom, engine, gearbox, carburettors and steering were replaced if not in absolutely perfect condition. New carpets, a bare metal respray and much of the chrome work was also rebuilt, reconditioned or replaced. When it was sold to the current owner 7 years ago, he fitted a new steering wheel, new stainless steel wire wheels and Kenlow fans. It has been driven regularly ever since but only in dry weather. It has also been yearly undersealed and serviced at the correct intervals. The car had a complete engine rebuild at the beginning of 2004 and has done just 4,000 miles since. An engine rebuild was carried out by Goldsmith and Young, the foremost Aston Martin engine specialists with a total cost of some £17,000. All doors, bonnet and boot spacings corrected and realigned and a new water pump fitted when some remedial chrome work was carried out. There are bills for £53,000 amongst the comprehensive documentation. The car has been serviced once again and undersealed prior to the auction. A more diligently maintained Aston Martin it would be hard to find.