conceptcarz.com

Image credit: © conceptcarz.com (Reproduction Or reuse prohibited).

1966 Aston Martin Short-Chassis Volante Convertible

  • Chassis Number: DB5C/2301/L
  • Engine Number: 400/2292
Production of the new Aston Martin DB6 began in October of 1965. At this point in history, the factory was left with 37 of the previous DB5 chassis that had remained unused and unbuilt. They had a shorter wheelbase than its successor DB6, the chassis were unusable for the new model. However, Aston Martin management came up with a plan to produce an 'interim' convertible that was essentially the last of the DB5C's with all of the DB6's refinements.

The resulting vehicle was called the Volante, or 'Flying', and was the first Aston to use this name to distinguish their convertibles and roadsters. The resulting Short Chassis Volante, which was shorter than the longer DB6 and DB6 MK II successor to the Volante, was powered by an all-alloy, twin-am straight six powerplant. In original 4.0-liter form, the engine was given triple SU carburetors and offered 282 horsepower. The coachwork was created using Touring's patented Superleggera process. It featured handcrafted alloy panels that laid atop small-diameter steel tubing.

Visually, the Short Chassis Volante was distinct from the earlier DB5 convertible. They had the DB6-specificaiton quarter bumpers at all four corners. The taillight treatment was unique to the model, with a distinct 'Volante' logo on the rear deck lid. Inside, there was Connolly leather, stitched in the V-pattern introduced for the DB6. The lined convertible top was made of Everflex and pebble-grain vinyl, as was used by Rolls-Royce.

In total, just 37 examples of the Short-Chassis Volante were built, making this the lowest-production convertible Aston Martin ever.

This particular example is the first of the 37 Short-Chassis Volantes built. It has the correct DB5C (DB5 Convertible) chassis number. It is an original factory left-hand-drive car from new, delivered to Mr. David Davies of Park Avenue, New York City, in Dubonnet over black.

In the 1990s, the car was owned by Vincent Young, who treated the car to a comprehensive restoration. The bodywork was refinished in Aston Racing Green and interior in butterscotch tan leather. During the restoration, the cylinders were overbored to 4.5-liters of displacement, with new pistons and camshafts, and upgraded beyond the most desirable factory Vantage specification, including the installation of the expected triple Weber carburetors. An original ZF five-speed transmission was replaced with a Tremec five-speed gearbox. A contemporary Sony radio was also installed. Modern, period-look air conditioning was also specified.

The car was later acquired by Orin Smith.

By Daniel Vaughan | May 2017

2017 RM Auctions : Amelia Island

Pre-Auction Estimates :
USD $1,600,000-USD $2,000,000 
Sale Price :
USD $1,705,000

Recent Sales of the Aston Martin Short-Chassis Volante

(Data based on Model Year 1966 sales)
1966 Aston Martin Short-Chassis Volante
Chassis#: DB5C/2301/L
Sold for USD$1,705,000
  2017 RM Auctions : Amelia Island
1966 Aston Martin Short-Chassis Volante image  1966 Aston Martin Short-Chassis Volante image  

Aston Martin Short-Chassis Volantes That Failed To Sell At Auction

1966 Aston Martin Short-Chassis Volante's that have appeared at auction but did not sell.
VehicleChassisEventHigh BidEst. LowEst. High
1966 Aston Martin Short-Chassis VolanteDBVC/2310/R2019 RM Sothebys : Monterey $1,400,000$1,800,000
1966 Aston Martin Short-Chassis VolanteDBVC-2325-R2012 RM Auctions at Monaco$675,000$720,000$820,000

Vehicles With Comparable Market Values

Similar sales to the $1,705,000 range.
2005 Porsche Carrera GT
Chassis#:WP0CA298X5L001404
Sold for $1,721,000
2024 RM Sothebys : ModaMiami
1935 Mercedes-Benz 500 K Cabriolet A
Chassis#:105379
Sold for $1,710,000
2023 Broad Arrow : Monterey Jet Center
1966 Aston Martin Short-Chassis Volante vehicle thumbnail image  1966 Aston Martin Short-Chassis Volante vehicle thumbnail image  
1988 Porsche 959 Komfort
Chassis#:WP0ZZZ95ZJS900247
Sold for $1,710,000
2023 RM Sothebys : Monterey
1966 Aston Martin Short-Chassis Volante vehicle thumbnail image  1966 Aston Martin Short-Chassis Volante vehicle thumbnail image  
1931 Duesenberg Model J Tourster by Derham
Chassis#:2440
Sold for $1,710,000
2023 RM Sothebys : Monterey
1966 Aston Martin Short-Chassis Volante vehicle thumbnail image  1966 Aston Martin Short-Chassis Volante vehicle thumbnail image  
1987 Porsche 959 Komfort
Chassis#:WP0ZZZ95ZHS900051
Sold for $1,710,000
2023 Broad Arrow Group : Amelia Island
1966 Aston Martin Short-Chassis Volante vehicle thumbnail image  1966 Aston Martin Short-Chassis Volante vehicle thumbnail image  
1934 Aston Martin Ulster Two-seater Sports
Chassis#:F4/447/S
Sold for $1,694,864
2023 Bonhams : Les Grandes Marques du Monde à Paris
1955 Mercedes-Benz 300SL 'Gullwing' Coupe
Chassis#:1980405500263
Sold for $1,700,000
2022 Worldwide Auctioneers : The Auburn Auction
1962 Mercedes-Benz 300SL Roadster
Chassis#:19804210002795
Sold for $1,705,000
2022 Mecum : Monterey
1935 Mercedes-Benz 500 K Cabriolet by Saoutchik
Chassis#:123696
Sold for $1,710,000
2022 RM Sothebys : Monterey
1966 Aston Martin Short-Chassis Volante vehicle thumbnail image  1966 Aston Martin Short-Chassis Volante vehicle thumbnail image  
1929 Duesenberg Model J Sport Sedan by Murphy
Chassis#:2132
Sold for $1,710,000
2022 RM Sothebys : Monterey
1966 Aston Martin Short-Chassis Volante vehicle thumbnail image  1966 Aston Martin Short-Chassis Volante vehicle thumbnail image  
1969 Alfa Romeo Tipo 33/3 Sports Racer
Chassis#:AR 105-80*023*
Sold for $1,703,693
2022 RM Sothebys : Monaco Grimaldi Forum
1955 Mercedes-Benz 300 SL Gullwing
Chassis#:198.040.5500243
Sold for $1,710,000
2022 RM Sothebys : Arizona
2014 MCLAREN P1
Chassis#:SBM12ABB3EW000024
Sold for $1,705,000
2022 Barrett-Jackson : Scottsdale, Arizona
1955 Mercedes-Benz 300SL Gullwing Coupe
Chassis#:198.040.5500801
Sold for $1,710,000
2021 Bonhams : Quail Lodge
1966 Aston Martin Short-Chassis Volante vehicle thumbnail image  
1933 ROLLS-ROYCE PHANTOM II SPECIAL BROUGHAM BY BREWSTER
Chassis#:218AMS
Sold for $1,712,167
2021 RM Sothebys : A Passion for Elegance
1966 Aston Martin Short-Chassis Volante vehicle thumbnail image  1966 Aston Martin Short-Chassis Volante vehicle thumbnail image  
1963 Jaguar E-Type Lightweight Continuation
Chassis#:S 851001
Sold for $1,710,000
2020 RM Sothebys : The Elkhart Collection
1967 Ferrari 330 GTS by Pininfarina
Chassis#:9781
Sold for $1,710,000
2020 RM Sothebys : Scottsdale Arizona
1966 Aston Martin Short-Chassis Volante vehicle thumbnail image  1966 Aston Martin Short-Chassis Volante vehicle thumbnail image  
1993 Porsche 964 Carrera RS 3.8
Chassis#:WP0ZZZ96ZPS497102
Sold for $1,710,000
2019 Gooding & Company : Pebble Beach
1963 Ferrari 250 GT/L Berlinetta 'Lusso' by Scaglietti
Chassis#:4393
Sold for $1,710,000
2018 RM Sothebys : Monterey
1990 Ferrari F40
Chassis#:ZFFMN34A0L0087041
Sold for $1,710,000
2018 RM Sothebys : Monterey
1966 Aston Martin Short-Chassis Volante vehicle thumbnail image  1966 Aston Martin Short-Chassis Volante vehicle thumbnail image  

1966 Aston Martin Short-Chassis Volante

Additional valuation insight and sales data
History
Specifications
Image gallery
Other Aston Martin Short-Chassis Volante model years

1966 Aston Martin Short-Chassis Volante Vehicle Profiles