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 Dan Vaughan

Convertible

The Aston Martin Short Chassis Volante was an interim model between the DB5 and DB6. It was the first Aston to adopt the Volante name as used by all subsequent Aston Martin Convertibles. It has a DB5 engine, chassis and suspension, but with several styling features seen on the new DB6, and it is generally considered to be one of the most attractive Astons of the David Brown era. During the single year of production between 1965 and 1966, only 37 Volantes were produced at the Newport Pagnell factory before the introduction of the DB6 Convertible at the 1966 London Motor Show. In 2009, this car was fully restored at Aston Martin by a team of technicians that included some people who had originally built the car in 1966.

Convertible

This is a very rare Aston Martin. Just 37 short-Chassis Volantes, the first Aston to carry the Volante name, were built between 1965 and 1966. Introduced at the same time as the DB6, it is in fact built on the DB5 chassis. The bodywork is very similar to the DB6 convertible, but it has split bumpers, an unswept boot lid, an enlarged oil cooling duct and DB5 rear light clusters. Short-Chassis Volantes have been owned and enjoyed by Prince Charles and Princess Grace of Monaco.

Convertible
Chassis number: DBVC-2325-R

Following the ever-popular DB5 would be a difficult task for just about any Grand Tourer. And yet, Aston Martin needed to keep going if it wanted to continue to exist. The much-heralded DB6 was to be the replacement and certainly aptly followed the legendary DB5. But there was still something missing. And while Aston Martin tried to figure out what exactly 'that' was it would produce the Volante.

Although it was introduced alongside the DB6, the Volante would have more in common with the DB5. This was because the two shared the same wheelbase and chassis and used many of the same components including the same rear light cluster. However, the Volante would also share aspects in common with the DB6 as well, and therefore, would present a blending of the two.

Because the car was always considered an 'interim' model, the 'short-chassis' Volante would be produced in relatively few numbers, and therefore, would be amongst the rarest of all Aston Martins. In fact, just 37 Short-Chassis Volantes would be built. And one example of those 37 would be available for purchase at the 2012 RM Auctions held at the Grimaldi Forum in Monaco.

Chassis DBVC-2325-R would be one of just 37 that would be dubbed 'Volante', or literally, 'flying' by Kent Monk. That meant this would be one of the first to carry the name that has since become every bit synonymous with Aston Martin.

When it was finished, 2325-R would utilize the all-alloy, twin-cam straight-six engine. Combined with triple SU carburetors, the 4.0-liter engine was capable of producing upwards of 282 bhp. The gearbox also utilized the ZF five-speed manual that had first been introduced halfway through the DB5 production.

The aluminum body on 2325-R would follow the patented 'Superleggera' process first used by Touring of Milan, and therefore, would give the car a light weight but with exceptional rigidity.

Sporting the unique taillights, the handsome car would be finished with a Connolly leather interior and a lined convertible top using the high-quality Everflex material. Finished in California Sage, this particular Volante would leave Aston Martin in early June of 1966. As it left the factory, it would leave with non-standard chrome wire wheels and a power-operated radio antenna. Registered KLE 461 D, the Volante would be delivered via H.R. Owen to Sir John Clark. Sir John Clark happened to be the CEO of The Plessey Co. Ltd. based in Illford, Essex.

The Short-Chassis Volante would remain with Sir John Clark until 1971 when it would pass to P.J. Brookes. A decade would pass and then the car would be sold again to K.K. Kathcart. The car would remain with Kathcart for a shorter period of time, and then, would be sold to a collector in Paris, France. Under this ownership the car would undergo some restoration that would also include refinishing the car in a Dark Metallic Green. Almost immediately after being restored the car would again be sold.

Another short period of time would pass before the car would be sold again and shipped back to England where it would be registered OGC289D, which is the same number it carries to this day. This purchase would take place in 1998 and would see the car take a prominent place in the owner's collection.

At one of just 37 Short-Chassis Volantes ever to be built, this particular chassis is not only exclusive but it is also much more rare than the beloved and iconic DB5. Of course, the Volante would also be a main performer in a James Bond movie, On Her Majesty's Secret Service. And while the movie may not be amongst the most revered of the Bond series there is no doubting the distinguished role of the Short-Chassis Volante in Aston Martin's lineage. And for this reason, and the condition of the car itself, DBVC-2325-R would sell for 675,000EUR.

Sources:

'Lot No. 344: 1966 Aston Martin 'Short-Chassis' Volante', (http://www.rmauctions.com/CarDetails.cfm?SaleCode=MC12&CarID=r374&Currency=EUR). RM Auctions. http://www.rmauctions.com/CarDetails.cfm?SaleCode=MC12&CarID=r374&Currency=EUR. Retrieved 16 May 2012.

'1966 Aston Martin Short-Chassis Volante News, Pictures and Information', (http://www.conceptcarz.com/vehicle/z14438/Aston-Martin-Short-Chassis-Volante.aspx). Conceptcarz.com: From Concept to Production. http://www.conceptcarz.com/vehicle/z14438/Aston-Martin-Short-Chassis-Volante.aspx. Retrieved 16 May 2012

by Jeremy McMullen

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 Dan Vaughan