Duke’s
A GREAT BRITISH ICON 9th June 2017
A GREAT BRITISH ICON 9th June 2017
PRINTED IN DORCHESTER BY EPIC CREATIVE PRINT
“There can be little doubt that the DB6 is the best Aston yet and it is a credit to British engineering� John Bolster Autosport, October 1966
A GREAT BRITISH ICON AN ASTON MARTIN DB6 VANTAGE VOLANTE 1968 Friday 9th June 2017 at 10.30am
Specialist enquiries: Auction enquiries: Auction registration:
alex.lewis@dukes-auctions.com guy.schwinge@dukes-auctions.com john.holmes@dukes-auctions.com
Catalogue text by Alex Lewis. www.alexanderlewiscollection.com Photography by James Mann Catalogues £40.00 (by post)
www.sofaa.org
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Duke’s Brewery Square Dorchester Dorset DT1 1GA Tel: 01305 265080
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South West Trains Train/Fare enquiries: 0845 748 4950 Credit Card Ticket sales: 0845 600 0650 Taxi Oriole Cars: 07823 338 367 or 07876 021 411
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The Dorchester Fine Art Salerooms are centrally located in Brewery Square immediately adjacent to Dorchester South Railway Station. Trains run hourly to London Waterloo (South West Trains – travel time approximately 2.5 hours). The Saleroom has ample parking for clients and a superb cafÊ and patisserie serving great coffee and food using locally sourced produce. The closest airports are at Bournemouth and Exeter (both approximately 1 hour by road). If we can assist with travel arrangements, or accomodation, please contact Stephanie Smith or Maddi Puleston. 01305 265080 Stephanie.Smith@dukes-auctions.com Maddi.Puleston@dukes-auctions.com
VIEWING Saturday 3rd June
9.30am-12noon
Monday 5th June
9.30am-5pm
Tuesday 6th June
9.30am-7pm
Wednesday 7th June
9.30am-5pm
Thursday 8th June
9.30am-5pm
BUYERS INFORMATION Registration: If you wish to bid at this auction you will need to register and provide proof of identity. You may be required to pay a deposit, which will be refunded within 7 working days (without interest) if you are not successful. For more information and a registration form please contact John Holmes on 01305 265080 or email john.holmes@dukes-auctions.com. Commission bids: If you are unable to attend the auction in person we will be pleased to execute commission (absentee) bids on your behalf. Lots will be purchased as cheaply as allowed by other bids and reserves. Commissions must be received at least 48 hours before the auction. Telephone bidding: If you wish to bid over the telephone we will do all we can to assist you, but lines should be booked at least 48 hours before the auction. Online bidding: Is not available on this car. Condition reports: We are delighted to provide an independent Condition Report prepared by Wren Classics, who have serviced the car in recent years. Potential buyers are strongly advised to inspect the car personally or enlist the assistance of a specialist consultant. Terms and Conditions: It is important that you read our terms and conditions of sale at the back of this catalogue. Payment:
The car will not be released until we have received cleared funds in full payment.
Buyer’s Premium:
16% plus VAT on the hammer price (ie. 19.2% in total).
Collection: If the car is not collected within 5 working days of the auction it will be removed to a secure storage facility at the buyers expense. For any assistance with collection or shipping please contact John Holmes on 01305 265080 or email john.holmes@dukes-auctions.com
THE EVOLUTION OF THE DB6 In October 1958 the all new DB4 was unveiled at the Paris Motor Show where it received universal acclaim. It looked sensational and was a personal triumph for John Wyer who had employed the Italian styling house Touring, under its founder and head designer Felice Anderloni, to design the car’s body. Using its tubular latticework structure Touring had created an aluminium body of exquisite beauty and perfect proportion, indeed so perfect it incorporated the famed “Golden Section” ratio, a term more commonly understood in classical architecture and Fibonacci sequences. Under its bonnet the DB4 featured an all-new 3.7 litre aluminium block with twin SU carburettors designed by the former Austin engine designer Tadek Marek. This block was to be used throughout production of the DB4, DB5 and DB6 with an increase to 4 litres for the DB5 and DB6. In Paris, Aston’s French distributor Marcel Blondeau, with tears in his eyes, declared “This is not a car, it is a folly but I can sell as many as you can supply”. Similarly at the London Motor Show at Earls Court later that month Kjell Quave, who sold Aston Martins in San Francisco, declared he would order 1000 cars if production could meet his demand. At that time Aston struggled to produce more than 11 cars a week and over the course of the DB4’s production life from 1958-1963 little more than 1100 cars were made in total.
A GREAT BRITISH ICON Between 1958 and 1971 Aston Martin designed and manufactured the DB4, DB5 and DB6. These beautiful Anglo Italian creations were purchased and driven by the stars of the day. The likes of Peter Ustinov and Michael Caine drove DB4 Convertibles. Sean Connery drove a DB5 in Goldfinger, forever associating the Aston Martin marque with James Bond. The DB6 was owned and driven by some of the most famous stars of the Swinging Sixties; Mick Jagger, Twiggy, Peter Sellers and Paul McCartney. HRH the Prince of Wales was given a DB6 Volante, by Her Majesty The Queen for his 21st birthday. The car was famously driven down The Mall by Prince William following his marriage to Kate Middleton in 2011. Most of the cars produced during the 1960’s are well known to the Aston Martin Owners Club but, occasionally a car appears that is unknown. One such car is the DB6 Vantage Volante that we are proud to offer. This car has remained in the same family from new and is one of the rare 29 Vantage engined Volantes built in period. The fact that the car has covered just 38,833 miles from new and retains its original engine, exterior colour and beautifully patinated interior, adds further to its appeal and rarity. For the serious collector this is a unique opportunity to acquire a car that has never been fully restored but has been serviced regularly and used incredibly sparingly.
In 1963 Aston introduced the DB5 as the successor to the DB4. The engine was now 4 litres and the gearbox was a ZF 5 speed unit and the headlamps were cowled, as they were on the final iteration of the DB4 (known as the Series 5 by the AMOC). In fairness the car, now fully sorted, was probably what Aston had hoped the DB4 would be at its launch. It was late in 1963, when the film director Harry Saltzman requested Aston Martin build a special DB5 for the forthcoming James Bond film Goldfinger starring Sean Connery, that Aston Martin was to gain worldwide fame. The car was to resemble a standard DB5 on the outside, but to incorporate an array of gadgetry under its skin, ranging from machine guns located behind the side lights to an ejector seat. The premiere of Goldfinger took place on 17th September 1964 and the immediate impact on Aston Martin was staggering. Suddenly everyone wanted a DB5 but the nature of a hand-built car produced by a small manufacturer meant demand could not be satisfied. For Aston Martin the huge publicity generated helped cement the brand as quintessentially ‘cool’ and British at the height of the Swinging Sixties. By 1965 Aston Martin was ready to introduce the DB6.
THE RACING PEDIGREE Aston Martin had produced race cars from its inception in 1913, but its greatest success was during production of the DB4 with outright victory at Le Mans in 1959 when Aston DBR1 cars finished first and second. The winning car was driven by Roy Salvadori and Carroll Shelby. This great success was followed by victory in the World Sports car Championship in the same year, when Stirling Moss won the 1000 kilometre race at the NĂźrburgring and then the TT at Goodwood. Aston continued to produce iconic race cars and incorporated its racing knowledge into the road cars it built. Indeed, the Kamm tail used on the DB6 owes its existence to the race cars DP214 and DP215.
THE PERFECT TOURER : THE DB6 In 1964 Aston Martin decided that the successor to the DB5 would be a 4 seater. This car would necessitate a longer and wider body. The origins of the DB6 actually go back to 1960 when Tadek Marek took a DB4, DP200/1 registered 4 YMC, and cut the platform chassis ahead of the heel board and inserted a 3.75 inch section of metalwork and extended the roofline by an inch. He achieved a further 2 inches by reshaping the rear seat squab seats to make it a genuine four seater. The upper rear axle trailing arms were reduced in size by 5 inches to 12 inches and moved back 3.75 inches to create better shoulder room, thus creating an additional 4 inches of width. Technically the DB4 and DB5 were four seaters but, in reality, there was nowhere near enough space for an adult in the back of the car. In October 1964 4 YMC undertook a 3,500 mile Continental development trip fitted with a 4 litre weber carburettor engine which developed 263BHP at 5800 RPM and a top speed of 160.5 MPH at 6275 RMP. By February 1965 4YMC was at MIRA where it was found that the raised roofline meant the car was unstable at speed with considerable rear end lift. To cure this problem a DB5 chassis was lengthened to accommodate 4 seats and fitted with a slight lip spoiler and Kamm tail, as used on the Le Mans race cars Project 214 and 215. On further testing the drag coefficient was reduced to 0.364 which, was below the 0.377 of both the DB4 and DB5.
The DB6 was approved for production and entrusted to Albert Thickpenny who restyled and re-engineered the car. The windscreen area was altered (the rake was now 53 degrees not 49) as was the A post bulkhead and door apertures, which with rear end modifications meant the entire body. To make the car more torsionally rigid box section cant rails were introduced as opposed to the previous Superleggera tubular latticework. By July 1965 the prototype was complete and acceleration and handling found to be excellent. Despite being 25KG heavier than the DB5 the DB6 was actually a quicker car with a top speed of 150 MPH versus 145 MPH for the DB5. Internally various other changes were introduced, such as plain ‘Y’ pattern stitched squabs replacing the pleated seats and slightly enlarged Speedo and Rev counters, but it was the extra room afforded to passengers in the rear that made the car so appealing. Externally there were changes too with a new horizontally slatted grille positioned under the front number plate to better pull air to the oil cooler. The bumpers were changed to 4 quarter bumpers and the twin petrol filler caps were now magnetic not cable operated. The car had statutory amber flashing lights and came with a Powr Lok limited slip diff, electric aerial, automatic transmission and chrome wires as standard equipment. Quarter light windows were standard.
OPEN TOP MOTORING To own an open top six cylinder Aston is to be part of an exclusive club for these are rare cars. Just 70 DB4 Convertibles were built and only 123 DB5 Convertibles followed. With the launch of the DB6 convertible came a new name; it was called a Volante, meaning Flyer, a term coined by Aston Martin’s distribution manager Kent Monk. Launched In October 1966 just 140 DB6 Volantes were built until production ceased in July 1969. The Volante incorporated all the design changes introduced on the standard coupÊ with some inevitable reinforcement features similar to the DB4 and DB5 Convertibles. There is additional reinforcement around the sills, the B pillar and across the rear seat area. For the first time the car featured a power operated hood working off an electric motor positioned under the rear passenger seat. Unlike the DB4 and DB5 no hard top was offered. Only 29 DB6 Vantage Volante were produced and, in view of the exceptionally low mileage and single family ownership, we believe the motor car offered here is the most desirable in existence.
This lot is subject to a buyer's premium of 19.2% inclusive of VAT @ 20%
LOT 650 AN ASTON MARTIN DB6 VANTAGE VOLANTE CHASSIS NO: DBVC/3683/R ENGINE NO: 400/3576/VC REGISTRATION: TMP 548F, RIGHT-HAND DRIVE WITH MANUAL TRANSMISSION
Purchased by Mrs Sandra Bernstein, wife of Sidney Bernstein (later Lord Bernstein), the founder of Granada Television, on 18th May 1968 from Odeon Motors and registered TMP 548F, the same number plate it wears today. Mrs Bernstein was familiar with Astons having previously owned a DB5 Convertible. This Volante was to prove a firm favourite and she owned and cherished it for the rest of her life before passing the car to her son. Particulars of non-standard equipment are listed on the build sheet as follows: Volante ZF Vantage Convertible Spec. Vantage Engine Power assisted steering 3.73:1 Limited Slip Differential Chrome Road Wheels Power Operated Aerial Three Ear Hub Caps Two Lap % Diagonal Safety Belts (Front Seats) Seven Pints Anti-Freeze
The car was delivered in Pacific blue with Natural hide (Connolly VM846) and fitted with a manual gear box. Today the car presents as it left the factory with the exception of a replacement Mohair hood in dark blue. Mileage from new is a mere 38,833. The car has a valid MOT certificate until September 2017. Only 29 DB6 Vantage Volantes were produced and as such they are highly prized by collectors. What makes this car so special is its single family ownership and its remarkable originality. The interior is wonderfully patinated, the engine bay is original and the engine remains leaded. As one would expect of a car of this age attention has been given to the sills, which were replaced in 2010. The history file that accompanies the car contains correspondence with Ian Mason, Ivon Dutton, Wren Classics and Goldsmith and Young. Today collectors are finding it increasingly difficult to acquire cars that remain original and unrestored from the day they left the factory. This is one such car and it represents a unique opportunity to purchase one of the rarest post-war Aston Martins. It is, in our view, the ultimate DB6 Vantage Volante. ÂŁ650,000-ÂŁ1,000,000
Though recognisably related to its Touring-styled DB4 ancestor, the DB6 abandoned the underlying Superleggera body structure of its predecessors in favour of a conventional steel fabrication while retaining the aluminum outer panels. Somewhat confusingly, ‘Superleggera’ badges continued to be applied for a time, presumably until stocks ran out.
THE ORIGINAL DB6 SPECIFICATIONS Vantage was a term given for a higher engine performance. BHP was raised from standard 282 BHP to 325 BHP as the Vantage used triple side draft Weber 45 DCOE carburettors as opposed to standard triple SU carburettors • Engine: 4.0 L (3,995 cc (243.8 cu in)) straight-6 • Compression ratio: standard=8.9:1 ; Vantage=9.4:1 • Power: 282 hp (210 kW) at 5500 rpm (standard engine) • Power: 325 hp (242 kW) at 5750 rpm (optional Vantage engine) • Torque: 400 N·m (295 lbf·ft) at 4500 rpm • Top Speed: 241 km/h (150 mph) • 0–60 mph (97 km/h) Acceleration: 8.4s (6.1s with Vantage engine) • Length: 15ft 2” (4623 mm) • Width: 66” (1675 mm) • Wheelbase: 101¾” (2584mm) • Wheels: 15” with 5½” rims • Steering: rack and pinion with optional power assist • F uel tank capacity: 19 imp gallons (standard) 16 imp gallons (with optional air conditioning)
“One of the rarest and most desirable post-war Astons ever to appear at auction�
Duke’s AUCTIONEERS SINCE 1823
CONDITIONS OF SALE Duke’s carries on business with bidders, buyers and all those present in the auction room prior to or in connection with a sale on the following General Conditions and on such other terms, conditions and notices as may be referred to herein. 1 DEFINITIONS In these Conditions: (a) “auctioneer” means the firm of Duke’s or its authorised auctioneer, as appropriate; (b) “deliberate forgery” means an imitation made with the intention of deceiving as to authorship, origin, date, age, period, culture or source but which is unequivocally described in the catalogue as being the work of a particular creator and which at the date of the sale had a value materially less than it would have had if it had been in accordance with the description; (c) “hammer price” means the level of bidding reached (at or above any reserve) when the auctioneer brings down the hammer; (d) “terms of consignment” means the stipulated terms and rates of commission on which Duke’s accepts instructions from sellers or their agents; (e) “total amount due” means the hammer price in respect of the lot sold together with any premium, Value Added Tax chargeable and any additional charges payable by a defaulting buyer under these Conditions; (f) “sale proceeds” means the net amount due to the seller, being the hammer price of the lot sold less commission at the stated rate, Value Added Tax chargeable and any other amounts due to us by the seller in whatever capacity and however arising; (g) “You”, “Your”, etc. refer to the buyer as identified in Condition 2. (h) The singular includes the plural and vice versa as appropriate. 2 BIDDING PROCEDURES AND THE BUYER (a) Bidders are required to register their particulars before bidding and to satisfy any security arrangements before entering the auction room to view or bid; (b) the maker of the highest bid accepted by the auctioneer conducting the sale shall be the buyer at the hammer price and any dispute about a bid shall be settled at the auctioneer’s absolute discretion by reoffering the Lot during the course of the auction or otherwise. The auctioneer shall act reasonably in exercising this discretion. (c) Bidders shall be deemed to act as principals. (d) Once made, no bid may be withdrawn. (e) Our right to bid on behalf of the seller is expressly reserved up to the amount of any reserve and the right to refuse any bid is also reserved. (f) The bidder will be required to pay a deposit, which will be refunded within 7 working days (without interest) if you are not successful. 3 INCREMENTS Bidding increments shall be at the auctioneer’s sole discretion. 4
THE PURCHASE PRICE The buyer shall pay the hammer price together with a premium thereon of 16% plus VAT on the premium at the rate imposed by law.
5
VALUE ADDED TAX Value Added Tax on the hammer price is imposed by law on all items affixed with an asterisk or double asterisk. Value Added Tax is charged at the appropriate rate prevailing by law at the date of sale and is payable by buyers of relevant Lots. *VAT payable at 5.00% on the hammer price and 20% on the buyers premium.
6 PAYMENT (1) Immediately a Lot is sold you will: (1a) give to us, if requested, proof of identity, and (1b) pay to us the total amount due in cash or in such other way as is agreed by us. (2) Any payments by you to us may be applied by us towards any sums owing from you to us on any account whatever without regard to any directions of you or your agent, whether express or implied. (3) The Auctioneer may require a deposit of 5% of the hammer price immediately. If the buyer is unable to meet this requirement to the Auctioneer’s satisfaction they reserve the right to cancel the sale immediately. 7 TITLE AND COLLECTION OF PURCHASES (1) The ownership of any Lots purchased shall not pass to you until you have made payment in full to us of the total amount due. (2) You shall at your own risk and expense take away any lots that you have purchased and paid for not later than 5 working days following the day of the auction or upon the clearance of any cheque used for payment after which you shall be responsible for any removal, storage and insurance charges. (3) No purchase can be claimed or removed until it has been paid for. 8 REMEDIES FOR NON-PAYMENT OR FAILURE TO COLLECT PURCHASES (1) If any Lot is not paid for in full and taken away in accordance with these Conditions or if there is any other breach of these Conditions, we, as agent for the seller and on our own behalf, shall at our absolute discretion and without prejudice to any other rights we may have, be entitled to exercise one or more of the following rights and remedies: (a) to proceed against you for damages for breach of contract; (b) to rescind the sale of that Lot and/or any other Lots sold by us to you; (c) to resell the Lot (by auction or private treaty) in which case you shall be responsible for any resulting deficiency in the total amount due (after crediting any part payment and adding any resale costs). Any surplus so arising shall belong to the seller; (d) to remove, store and insure the Lot at your expense and, in the case of storage, either at our premises or elsewhere; (e) to charge interest at a rate not exceeding 1.5% per month on the total amount due to the extent it remains unpaid for more than 3 working days after the sale; (f) to retain that or any other Lot sold to you until you pay the total amount due; (g) to reject or ignore bids from you or your agent at future auctions or to impose conditions before any such bids shall be accepted;
(h) to apply any proceeds of sale of other Lots due or in future becoming due to you towards the settlement of the total amount due and to exercise a lien (that is a right to retain possession of) any of your property in our possession for any purpose until the debt due is satisfied. (2) We shall, as agent for the seller and on our own behalf pursue these rights and remedies only so far as is reasonable to make appropriate recovery in respect of breach of these conditions 9
THIRD PARTY LIABILITY All members of the public on our premises are there at their own risk and must note the lay-out of the accommodation and security arrangements. Accordingly neither the auctioneer nor our employees or agents shall incur liability for death or personal injury (except as required by law by reason of our negligence) or similarly for the safety of the property of persons visiting prior to or at a sale.
10 COMMISSION BIDS Whilst prospective buyers are strongly advised to attend the auction and are always responsible for any decision to bid for a particular Lot and shall be assumed to have carefully inspected and satisfied themselves as to its condition we will if so instructed clearly and in writing execute bids on their behalf. Neither the auctioneer nor our employees or agents shall be responsible for any failure to do so save where such failure is unreasonable. Where two or more commission bids at the same level are recorded we reserve the right in our absolute discretion to prefer the first bid so made. 11 WARRANTY OF TITLE AND AVAILABILITY The seller warrants to the auctioneer and you that the seller is the true owner of the property consigned or is properly authorised by the true owner to consign it for sale and is able to transfer good and marketable title to the property free from any third party claims. 12 AGENCY The auctioneer normally acts as agent only and disclaims any responsibility for default by sellers or buyers. 13 TERMS OF SALE The seller acknowledges that Lots are sold subject to the stipulations of these Conditions in their entirety and on the Terms of Consignment as notified to the consignor at the time of the entry of the Lot. 14 DESCRIPTIONS AND CONDITION (1) The Catalogue contains an Entry about each Lot. Each Lot is sold by its respective Seller to the Buyer of the Lot as corresponding only with that part of the Entry which is printed in bold letters and with any photograph of the Lot in the Catalogue. The remainder of the Entry, which is not printed in bold letters, represents Duke’s opinion (given on behalf of the seller) about the Lot only and is not part of the Contractual Description in accordance with which the Lot is sold by the Seller. (2) Whilst we seek to describe lots accurately, it may be impractical for us to carry out exhaustive due diligence on each lot. Prospective buyers are given ample opportunities to view and inspect before any sale and they (and any independent experts on their behalf) must satisfy themselves as to the accuracy of any description applied to a lot. Prospective buyers also bid on the understanding that, inevitably, representations or statements by us as to authorship, genuineness, origin, date, age, provenance, condition or estimated selling price involve matters of opinion. We undertake that any such opinion shall be honestly and reasonably held and accept liability for opinions given negligently or fraudulently. Subject to the foregoing neither we the auctioneer nor our employees or agents nor the seller accept liability for the correctness of such opinions and all conditions and warranties, whether relating to description, condition or quality of lots, express, implied or statutory, are hereby excluded. This Condition is subject to the next following Condition concerning deliberate forgeries and applies save as provided for in paragraph 6 “information to buyers”. (3) Private treaty sales made under these Conditions are deemed to be sales by auction for purposes of consumer legislation. 15 FORGERIES Notwithstanding the preceding Condition, any Lot which proves to be a deliberate forgery (as defined) may be returned to us by you within 21 days of the auction provided it is in the same condition as when bought, and is accompanied by particulars identifying it from the relevant catalogue description and a written statement of defects. If we are satisfied from the evidence presented that the Lot is a deliberate forgery we shall refund the money paid by you for the Lot including any buyer’s premium provided that (1) if the catalogue description reflected the accepted view of scholars and experts as at the date of sale or (2) you personally are not able to transfer a good and marketable title to us, you shall have no rights under this condition. The right of return provided by this Condition is additional to any right or remedy provided by law or by these Conditions of Sale. 16 GENERAL We shall have the right at our discretion, to refuse admission to our premises or attendance at our auctions by any person. (1) any right to compensation for losses liabilities and expenses incurred in respect of and as a result of any breach of these Conditions and any exclusions provided by them shall be available to the seller and/or the auctioneer as appropriate. (2) Such rights and exclusions shall extend to and be deemed to be for the benefit of employees and agents of the seller and/or the auctioneer who may themselves enforce them. (3) Any notice to any buyer, seller, bidder or viewer may be given by first class mail or Swiftmail in which case it shall be deemed to have been received by the addressee 48 hours after posting. (4) Special terms may be used in catalogue descriptions of particular classes of items in which case the descriptions must be interpreted in accordance with any glossary appearing at the commencement of the catalogue. (5) Any indulgence extended to bidders buyers or sellers by us notwithstanding the strict terms of these Conditions or of the Terms of Consignment shall affect the position at the relevant time only and in respect of that particular concession only; in all other respects these Conditions shall be construed as having full force and effect. (6) English law applies to the interpretation of these Conditions.
Duke’s
A GREAT BRITISH ICON 9th June 2017
A GREAT BRITISH ICON 9th June 2017
PRINTED IN DORCHESTER BY EPIC CREATIVE PRINT