1966 Aston Martin Short-Chassis Volante

There were only 37 examples of the Short Wheelbase Volantes constructed. The SWB Volante's was introduced at the same time as the DB6, which sat on a larger wheelbase. The SWB Volante's used the DB5's chassis and incorporated features from the DB6, such as the bumpers, oil cooler, and leather stitching. So in actuality, they were shorter than the DB6 but the same as the DB5. They were the first Aston Martin to use the 'Volante' name.

The DB5 was introduced in 1963 and produced until 1965 with a total of 1021 examples produced. They continued the tradition of the DB Series which had percolated over the years, beginning when David Brown purchased the company in 1947. The six-cylinder engine was still standard as were the 282 horsepower. The optional 'Vantage' raised the horsepower to 314. Though a legendary car in its purest of forms, its legacy was further increased in the James Bond film 'Gold Finger' where it had a starring role.

The DB6 had a chassis enlarged by 3.75 inches in comparison to the DB5. This gave additional room for the rear occupants and made it a more enjoyable road-going car. A rear spoiler replaced the gracefully rounded rear end and under the hood was a four-liter six-cylinder engine producing 325 horsepower. Zero-to-sixty was achieved in just 6.2 seconds while top speed was in the neighborhood of 150 mph. The DB6 was the final phase of the evolution of the DB Series. It is the pinnacle of style and performance and encompasses both form and function. The lightweight body, aggressive stance, potent engine, and perfectly tuned suspension continued the Aston Martin racing heritage without sacrificing care or comfort. It is the ultimate gentleman's sport car.

by Daniel Vaughan | Jun 2012