1971 Aston Martin DB6 Mk2

This motor car is being sold as part of a private overseas collection. It has been imported under the Bonhams’ temporary admission customs bond. In addition to the ‘hammer’ price, the winning bidder must pay a bond release fee (£350) and also import tax/duty.

In the UK, cars over 30 years old are subject to the lower rate of 5% import tax on the final selling price if purchased by a private individual.

The winning bidder will receive a receipt for the final hammer value, and proof that HMRC fees are paid. If the car is subsequently exported abroad within 30 days then these fees are refundable upon proof of customs/tax payment in the other country.

The bond release fee (£350 payable direct, post-auction, to the CARS shipping company) will produce a NOVA from HMRC, this document is formal proof that all duties & taxes are paid in UK. The vehicle is not registered anywhere. You must register the vehicle with the DVLA. Upon request, The Market can suggest some companies who can help with this process.

This vehicle has been on static display in the Middle East for a number of years, and there is no history available beyond that displayed in our photography section. In all cases, the documents shown are photocopies, unless otherwise stated. We do not have the originals.

Unless otherwise stated, we have not tried to start or drive the car so cannot vouch for its mechanical viability or functionality. It will require recommissioning prior to road use and is strictly sold ‘as seen’.

It is available for viewing by appointment weekdays 9am-5pm, and we advise you (or your appointed engineer) to inspect it at our HQ near Abingdon in Oxfordshire.

We have turned the engine over, and it spins freely, but we have not tried to start or drive this RHD auto Aston Martin DB6 Mk 2. As a result, we can only attest to its cosmetic condition.

The chassis number is DB6MK2/4344/R.

It was bought for the vendor’s collection in 2008, at which point the auctioneers, Bonhams, stated the following in the auction notes.

“In the vendor’s possession since 1989, this automatic transmission-equipped example was restored in the late 1990s, the work carried out including a full engine rebuild to 4.2 litres capacity by marque specialists Ian Mason Ltd, together with appropriate up-rating of the automatic transmission and torque converter at a cost of almost £20,000 (invoice available). Finished in red with black leather interior, ‘YGE 20J’ is offered with Swansea V5 registration document and current road fund licence/MoT.

Upon inspection of the engine block, engine number 400/4804 is displayed, not 400/4808 as stamped on the chassis plate. We believe this number has been stamped incorrectly on the block following the engine rebuild by Ian Mason Ltd.”

Shortly afterwards, the vendor commissioned GTC Engineering to commence work on the car, the vehicle being described on various boxes of parts in its boot as a ‘development mule’.

There is a long list of invoices totalling something in the region of £170,000 for whatever unknown work was carried out.

That the car was serving as a ‘development mule’ is evident in the various bits of duct tape covering up sections of it, the rather bizarre surround to the sunroof, the fact that the car seems to have trialled all sorts of different electronics and different configurations of wing mirrors, the missing headlining, and the various small holes and rubber bungs in evidence in sundry parts of the bodywork.

It seems to have been a test-bed for all sorts of tweaks, fettles and additional bits and pieces.

Unfortunately, we simply don’t know why and we have no additional information to offer.

It’s various experimental eccentricities and idiosyncrasies aside, the bodywork is pretty good, with no unintended dents, dinks, creases or folds of any real note.

The shut lines and panel gaps seem consistent and even.

The chrome is good, as are the wire wheels, badging, lights, lenses and exterior fixtures and fittings.

The red paintwork, too, is pretty good.

There is a small dink in the n/s/f wing and, elsewhere, the keen-eyed will discern a scratch and a paint chip here and a scuff there – but by no means everywhere.

The chrome work is decent aside from a patch on the rear bumper where the plating has flaked off.

In much the same way as the exterior, the interior is both reassuring and puzzling: the former because nothing is irredeemable and much is to be praised; the latter because all manner of odd things have been done to it, presumably in the name of ‘research’ or ‘testing’ – no headlining, missing carpets and mats, etc.

The black leather upholstery is actually in fairly decent nick for its age, some patina-related creasing aside, as is much of the trim.

The door cards have survived less impressively and are falling apart.

Obviously, we can’t make any claims about the functionality of switches, knobs, levers, toggles, buttons, dials or other electrics as we haven’t tried to start or drive the vehicle.

To our largely untutored eyes (we’re not mechanics) everything in the engine bay looks clean and dry, and the undersides of the car appear to have plenty of structural integrity.

Clearly, you’ll want to come and see for yourself.

The car doesn’t come with any history or service records beyond what is shown in the photography section.

Currently, it has neither an MoT certificate nor an up-to-date V5. It must be registered in the country of your choice and you will need to contact the appropriate vehicle licensing agency for instructions on how to do this.

None of the paperwork shown in the gallery constitutes any kind of licensing or registration documentation.

Well.

Who knows what to make of an Aston Martin DB6 Mk 2 ‘development mule’?

Not us, that’s for sure.

Mystery and provenance aside, this remains a rare and much sought-after Mk 2 DB6 and the general condition of the bodywork and mechanicals makes us think that this is a very decent car - and certainly one on which large heaps of money have been lavished - provided, of course, that it’s amenable to recommissioning.

We’re confident to offer this car for auction with an estimate of £100,000 - £150,000, plus premium, customs bond payment and £350 NOVA fee.

Viewing is always encouraged, and this particular car is located with us at The Market HQ near Abingdon; we are open weekdays 9am-5pm, to arrange an appointment please use the Contact Seller button at the top of the listing. Feel free to ask any questions or make observations in the comments section below, or try our ‘Frequently Asked Questions’.