1966 Aston Martin DB6 Vantage Shooting Brake
The 1966 Aston Martin DB6 Vantage Shooting Brake represents a rare and powerful variant of the British luxury sports car. This unique vehicle combines the high-performance Vantage specification with the practicality of a “shooting brake” – a term rooted in British hunting traditions.
While Aston Martin produced the standard DB6 Mk I Shooting Brake, the Vantage version offered even more performance for discerning customers. Radford, a respected coachbuilder, was tasked with creating this special body style on a limited number of DB6 chassis.
At the heart of the DB6 Vantage sat a powerful 3,995cc DOHC inline six-cylinder engine. In Vantage specification, with a higher 9.4:1 compression ratio and triple Weber carburetors, this powerplant produced an impressive 325 bhp at 5,500 rpm – a significant increase over the standard 282 bhp of the Mk I version.
The engine’s output was typically channeled through a ZF five-speed manual transmission, offering a blend of performance and control. Some owners, however, opted for the Borg Warner Automatic transmission for a different driving experience.
The car’s suspension was adapted to handle the additional weight and different balance of the shooting brake body. It featured independent front suspension and a live rear axle.
The DB6 Vantage Shooting Brake came equipped with ‘Selectaride’ driver-adjustable damping, allowing for fine-tuning of the ride quality. Four-wheel disc brakes provided stopping power commensurate with the car’s increased performance capabilities.
Externally, the Shooting Brake maintained the sleek profile of its coupe sibling but featured an extended roof and tailgate. This modification significantly increased the car’s storage space without compromising its overall aesthetic appeal.
The interior combined luxury with practicality. The higher roof provided more headroom, and the expanded rear area offered plenty of space for luggage, sports equipment, or dogs.
High-quality materials like Connolly leather were used throughout, maintaining the premium feel expected of an Aston Martin. Some examples came fitted with factory air-conditioning, further enhancing comfort.
With extremely limited production numbers, each DB6 Shooting Brake was essentially a bespoke creation. This exclusivity made it highly sought after, appealing to wealthy individuals who wanted both a sports car’s performance and a wagon’s utility.
The DB6 Vantage Shooting Brake had few direct competitors. While other luxury car makers occasionally created one-off estate versions of their sports cars, none offered a similar production model with comparable performance.
In a 1966 review of the DB6 Vantage, Autocar magazine praised its improved handling, outstanding adhesion, and exceptional braking performance. They recorded a top speed of 148 mph and a standing quarter-mile time of 14.5 seconds, which was the fastest they had measured for a four-seater at the time.
Today, the 1966 Aston Martin DB6 Vantage Shooting Brake stands as a fascinating chapter in automotive history. Its scarcity and unique blend of high performance with practical utility have cemented its status as a highly valued collector’s item.
Credit: RM Sotheby’s
