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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
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 |
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.
Vehicle | Chassis | Event | High Bid | Est. Low | Est. High |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
1966 Aston Martin Short-Chassis Volante | DBVC/2310/R | 2019 RM Sothebys : Monterey | $1,400,000 | $1,800,000 | |
1966 Aston Martin Short-Chassis Volante | DBVC-2325-R | 2012 RM Auctions at Monaco | $675,000 | $720,000 | $820,000 |
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1966 Aston Martin Short-Chassis Volante
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