Chassis Number: DB6/3334/R
Engine Number: 400/3404
UK Registration Number: GCK 3 F
Date of first reg: 2nd January 1968
Exterior colour: Silver Birch
Hood:
Interior colour: Black Leather
Current Odometer reading: 68,511
Mileage Warranty:
Steering: Right
Transmission: Manual
Options: Engine upgraded to RSW Vantage 4.2 litre, 5-Speed ZF Gear Box, Chrome wire wheels, Heated Rear Screen, Modern Music System concealed behind contemporary units.
To arrange a visit please email sales@allastonmartin.com or to discuss, call Tim Foster on 07771 847290 or Philip Jones on 01737 244567.
Introduction
We believe that any discerning Aston Martin buyer – enthusiast or novice – will appreciate the depth of history that comes with "Gracie". Affectionately christened by her most recent owner after Grace Kelly, the name reflects the beauty and intrinsic perfetion of this car.
Restored by the renowned Aston Martin specialist, RS Williams, Gracie is presented as a pristine example. But this is no trailer queen – the 4.2 engine is responsive and she has the capacity to be comfortable in modern day traffic. Outstanding in every way.
Background
After rejecting proposals for a replacement for the DB5 from Touring of Milan, the decision was made by Aston Martin to focus on their own development car, registered, 4 YMC. Testing it in a wind tunnel for the first time in February 1965, showed the need for work to counteract the test car’s rear end lift. So, the final development phases saw a DB5 chassis, suitably lengthened and titled MP219, with a rear spoiler and abbreviated Kamm tail that Aston Martin had previously incorporated in sports racers.
The decision was made to progress MP 219 as the Aston Martin DB6 although its de Dion rear axle was replaced with a live axle on cost grounds. So, the new car, announced at the London Motor Show in October 1965, had a wheelbase extended by 3.75 inches with the extra inserted just ahead of the rear wheel arches and this allowed the roofline to be raised by an inch, while a further two inches of headroom was gained by reworking the seat squabs. Reducing the length of the trailing arms on the rear suspension, gave more elbow room at the back
The seat shapes were changed to give greater shoulder and lumbar support while the dashboard changed only with the size and layout of individual dials. Externally, however, horizontally slatted grille beneath the number plate allowed better air flow to the oil cooler and visual symmetry of the new arrangement was maintained with a split bumper at the front that was mirrored at the rear of the car. Mechanically, the car was very similar to the Aston Martin DB5 with 3 SU carburettors fitted as standard. There were a number of items that a customer could specify at no extra cost – a Powr-Lok limited slip differential and chrome wire wheels. An electric aerial was fitted as standard, although the radio, which would be a customer choice, was considered an extra and was charged accordingly.
Summary:
We believe that any discerning Aston Martin buyer – enthusiast or novice – will appreciate the depth of history that comes with this car.
Restored by the renowned Aston Martin specialist, RS Williams, Gracie is presented as a pristine example. But this is no trailer queen – the 4.2 engine is responsive and she has the capacity to be comfortable in modern day traffic.
Probably the best driving DB6 we have experienced in many years.
Vehicle History
This car has a wonderfully documented history that actually starts with a factory build sheet that reveals not only the first owner – a Mr G Lewis of Lewis Separates in London – but also confirms that the registration you see today remains from new and the colour combination of Silver Birch over Black is how she left the factory.
But this well-travelled lady has been the love of a number of enthusiastic owners who have combined over the years to deliver probably the best looking, best prepared DB6 on the market. She was so loved by the most recent owner and his wife that the gave the car a pet name “Gracie” – it started as a way of remembering the registration, they had taken the first and last letters of the registration prefix GK and associated it with the most glamorous woman of the car’s era – Princess Grace of Monaco, formerly Grace Kelly. And the name Gracie stuck!
We cannot know how long Mr Lewis kept the car but we have a later, very clear lineage of ownership – in 1982, she was under the stewardship of a J M Dennison of Shipley in Yorkshire. Some of the early invoices are from Post Vintage Engineering who confirm that the owner at that time was a Bob Stern, a professional photographer. The team at Post Vintage recall him with a little phrase her used to remember the registration number “God Cooks Kippers 3 times on Friday”. The car stayed in Yorkshire with a Mr Blackburn from 1988 through to 1992. She moved south to Hampton in Middlesex with a Mr Kearney until 2002 and on to a Mr Rautenbach in Guildford where she stayed until 2012.
This owner availed himself of the services of Aston specialist R S Williams and, after normal careful preparation, the car was sold through the same company to the latest owner in May 2013.
How do we know the history – well all are clearly recorded and all diligently maintained the cars adding their own mark of ownership. In those years, she has been Red and back to Silver, she saw the sluggish automatic box replaced with a proper 5 speed ZF manual change, the original 4 litre engine with SU carburettors upgraded to full 4.2 Vantage specification with Webers and the power steering changed for a manual rack. Altogether, it makes the car an absolute delight to drive.
And she has been driven – the history folder includes adventures at AMOC Concours and rallies. The owners took her on the Skyfall Rally during which visited they visited the locations used in the James Bond film. They also went on the 100th Anniversary Targa Florio where Gracie performed perfectly in a full trip around Sicily. For more local fame, she has even featured on the front cover of the AMOC quarterly magazine as the owner took a prominent part in his local area.
Two beautifully presented green leather RSW history folders hold a treasure of provenance and serve to underline the excellence of the car.
28.05.86 21,096
29.05.87 24,402
16.04.96 39,028
30.04.97 40,106
30.05.98 40,643
22.05.99 41,044
20.05.00 41,401
14.06.01 41,616
11.06.02 41,676
24.06.03 44,564
12.08.04 45,491
08.08.05 46,871
29.04.10 48,780
11.04.11 49,406
25.10.12 49,445
08.05.15 55,179
25.05.16 58,503
05.05.17 58,718
14.05.18 61,908
18.06.19 63,249
23.06.20 63,354
29.07.21 64,366
10.04.87- Mileage: n/a.- Service Agent: Motor Wheel Service
4 x chrome wire wheels + 4 x 3 ear caps
01.06.87- Mileage: n/a.- Service Agent: Post Vintage Engineers
Parts only: Set of handbrake pads
16.06.87- Mileage: n/a.- Service Agent: Post Vintage Engineers
Strip engine, rebore cylinders, 6 x pistons, 2 x bearings, overhaul water pump
29.12.87- Mileage: n/a.- Service Agent: Post Vintage Engineers
Parts only: Clutch assembly, clutch plate, release bearing
02.88 – 05.91- Mileage: n/a.- Service Agent: Various
Engine: Rebored, new cylinders, overhauled water pump, all engine work by Post Vintage Engineers Cylinder Head: new valves and guides, inlet cam, head skimmed, polished and ported. Stainless steel head nuts and cam cover nuts Brakes: New rear discs, stainless steel pistons front and rear, servos and master cylinders serviced and new kunifer pipes brassed. Clutch: New complete clutch, slave cylinder and master cylinder reconditioned, silicon hydraulic fluid used Suspension: New front and rear springs, new front Konis, rears reconditioned, new radius arms, studs, bushes, new front top and bottom ball joints. Trim: new bumpers, grille, rear lights, front light lenses, door handles, door mirror and badges Upholstery; Re-trimmed seats, headlining, carpet where required, sun visors, rear view mirror, new front screen, drop glasses, rear side glass, glazing rubbers, electric windows, heater blowers, electronic ignition.Chassis: Chassis stripped, shot blasted, new sills, outriggers, door bottoms, new stainless-steel exhaust, steering uv joints, prop uv joints, chrome wire wheels and spinners
17.03.88- Mileage: n/a.- Service Agent: Fred Flower & Sons
Retrim in black hide
09.05.88- Mileage: n/a.- Service Agent: Aston Service Dorset
Parts only: front quarter bumper assembly
17.06.89- Mileage: n/a.- Service Agent: Aston Martin
Parts only: Gaiters, windscreen rubber, rubber seal, camshaft
30.04.90- Mileage: n/a.- Service Agent: James Bailey Engineers
Parts only: Oil seals, roller bearings, bearing grease
22.05.90- Mileage: n/a.- Service Agent: Spax
Parts only: front suspension units
31.05.90- Mileage: n/a.- Service Agent: Chapman Spooner
Parts only: Exhaust valves
20.06.90- Mileage: n/a.- Service Agent: Aston Martin
Parts only: Engine mounting, rebound rubber, Vantage badge, car badge fixer
24.07.90- Mileage: n/a.- Service Agent: Chapman Spooner
Parts only: Inlet valves, gaskets, head gasket set
29.08.90- Mileage: n/a.- Service Agent: Chapman Spooner
Parts only: Clutch plate
31.08.90- Mileage: n/a.- Service Agent: Chapman Spooner
Parts only: Propshaft uj kit
18.09.90- Mileage: n/a.- Service Agent: Chapman Spooner
Parts only: Top wishbone bush
01.10.90- Mileage: n/a.- Service Agent: Stevson Motors
Parts only: Oil cooler and hoses
09.10.90- Mileage: n/a.- Service Agent: JP Exhausts
Parts only: Stainless steel exhaust
30.10.90- Mileage: n/a.- Service Agent: Chapman Spooner
Parts only: Blower motor assembly
11.04.91- Mileage: n/a.- Service Agent: Aston Martin
Parts only: Weather seal, buffer stop, bonnet badge
15.08.91- Mileage: n/a.- Service Agent: Aston Martin
Parts only: Filler strip
16.08.91- Mileage: n/a.- Service Agent: Chapman Spooner
Parts only: Rubber insert
21.08.91- Mileage: n/a.- Service Agent: Chapman Spooner
Parts only: Rear lamp assembly, rubber seal
02.09.91- Mileage: n/a.- Service Agent: Chapman Spooner
Parts only: Headlamp rim, dust rubber, backlight switch, drop glass, washer jets
23.09.91- Mileage: n/a.- Service Agent: Chapman Spooner
Parts only: Kopex hose
24.10.91- Mileage: n/a.- Service Agent: Chapman Spooner
Parts only: Bumper grommets
05.05.92- Mileage: n/a.- Service Agent: Chapman Spooner
Parts only: King pin ball and king pin gaiter
18.06.92- Mileage: n/a.- Service Agent: Chapman Spooner
Parts only: Front bumper
02.07.92- Mileage: n/a.- Service Agent: Aston Martin
Parts only: Radiator grille assembly
19.08.92- Mileage: n/a.- Service Agent: Aston Martin
Parts only: Pinion oil seal
30.03.93- Mileage: n/a.- Service Agent: Aston Martin
Parts only: 3 x gaskets
03.06.93- Mileage: n/a.- Service Agent: Motor Wheel Service
Parts only DB6 centre lock
12.07.93- Mileage: n/a.- Service Agent: Aston Martin
Parts only: Window lift, lift channels guide channel relay
19.09.93- Mileage: n/a.- Service Agent: Chapman Spooner
Parts only Head gasket
16.05.94- Mileage: n/a.- Service Agent: Aston Martin
Parts only: king pin ball, sun visors
21.06.95- Mileage: n/a.- Service Agent: Aston Martin
Parts only: Badge
15.01.97- Mileage: 39,866- Service Agent: HWM
Remove steering rack and fit manual rack, remove complete steering column, fit new column modify mounts and wiring to suit. Check and adjust wheel alignment and castor angles. Carry out 10,000-mile service, fit new front brake pads and handbrake pads, tighten distributor, check steering column
17.04.03- Mileage: 41,847- Service Agent: Nicholas Mee
Investigate water leaking from carburettors – found no gaskets between inlet manifolds and cylinder head – clean and fit new gaskets. Check poor starting – replace starter solenoid, modify clutch bell housing, and fit new comp spec geared starter motor. Fit two new exhaust clamps, supply and fit 3 new K&N air filters. Remove o/s rear bumper, n/s door handle and number plate surround and send for re-chroming and refit to car.
17.04.03- Mileage: 41,847- Service Agent: Nicholas Mee
Refit original fire extinguisher. Refit o/s door mirror, refit speaker grille. Remove capillary oil line to pressure gauge and replace, adjust handbrake and replace return spring.
20.06.03- Mileage: 44,557- Service Agent: Trinity Engineering
Remove exhaust downpipes and cut away damaged flexible sections. Replace sections with new items and weld in position. Refit downpipes using stainless steel clamps and adjusting to maximise ground clearance. Remove n/s/f wheel, disconnect track rod and remove perished steering rack gaiter. Fit new item and refit wheel checking wheel alignment and centralise steering, top up low brake fluid level.
29.09.03- Mileage: 44,928- Service Agent: Nicholas Mee
5,000-mile service, carbs cleaned and tested, supply and fit bonnet stop – off side. Re-secure rubber trim in driver’s door, lubricate passenger side heat vent. Adjust n/s/f wheel bearing, adjust handbrake linkage, road test and valet. Supply and fit six spark plugs.
09.06.04- Mileage: 45,410- Service Agent: R S Williams
Cut away repairs to bonnet shut area, fabricate new sections and weld into position. Rectify repair on top of offside front wing (mirror position). Reshape offside headlamp pod and surrounding areas. Fabricating new offside indicator pod and weld into position. Cutting away nearside lower nose/front panel, fabricate a new section and weld into position, repeat to upper nose section and rewire as necessary. Repairing centre of nearside wing, repair headlamp bucket section on front wing, rebuild and re-gap. Fabricate new nearside indicator pod and weld in. Dress out and re-shape nearside rear wing, locate and cut in new rear panel, weld in new section to bottom boot skin. Dressing out and re-shaping welded areas. Bond skin to frame. Cut out repairs to offside rear wing, fit new offside and nearside aluminium sill panels, locate and weld into position. Re-wiring offside and nearside front and rear wings, remove both door skins, cut out corroded and non-standard sections of frame. Fabricate new sections and weld in, fit new door skins, re-hang and align doors. Removing master cylinders, pedals and mounting brackets. Remove throttle pedal, cut away corroded outrigger. Fit new outrigger and weld in position. Repair driver’s floor as required, treat and prime repaired areas.
01.07.04- Mileage: 45,410- Service Agent: R S Williams
Remove bonnet and strip out all fittings, front undertray, front splash shields everything – strip out all fittings from both doors, remove seats, rear quarter light glass on both sides, rear windscreen assembly, boot lid and all fittings, interior trims and carpets. De-oxiding the complete exterior of body and panels. Preparing etch priming and polyester priming body shell and panels, dry prime body and panels, check alignment of all panels. Prepare, wet prime and paint complete body shell and panels. Flatting and polishing, stone chipping the underbody, refit all removed parts using new parts if required.
10.08.04- Mileage: 45,410- Service Agent: R S Williams
Fit new headlining. Fabricating and trimming in black hide and fitting seat belt reel pods. Supplying and fitting new door panel seals. Fabricating and fitting Velcro carrier for driver’s footwell carpet. Re-trimming A post panels in black hide. Clean and rebuild slave cylinder. Strip pedals and pedal mountings, bead blast and paint as necessary. Refit pedals, fit master cylinders, set pedal heights, fit new pedal gaiters and fluted rubber. Replace brake pipes, bleed brakes. Remove gearbox tunnel, disconnect and remove gearbox, remove clutch assembly and replace clutch and slave cylinder mounting, balance new clutch assembly using new pressure plate, refit with new centre plate. Replace front and rear gearbox oil seals and change gearbox oil. Bleed clutch and check operation, clean gearbox tunnel and refit using insultation, replace gearbox tunnel seal. Fit RSW spec window lift motor kits. Fit sound deadening inside all 4 wing panels. Fabricate seat belt mountings and fit inertia reel seat belts, fit door mirrors, fit gear lever gaiter finisher and lock nut. Fit 4 new Pirelli P4000 tyres, present car for MOT
29.03.05- Mileage: 46,348- Service Agent: R S Williams
Remove road wheels, clean, radius and balance, adjust front wheel bearings, replace both front track rod ends, fit RSW spec anti roll bar bushes. Replace roll bar drop links and bushes, remove and replace top wishbone nuts using Loctite. Check axle and gearbox oil levels, fit brake caliper anti rattle springs, fit and adjust handbrake pads. Change oil and filter, replace spark plugs with latest spec units, replace fuel filter and fit 2nd earth strap to fuel pump. Remove, adjust and replace distributor cap, fit new HT lead chrome pipe and new HT leads. Set ignition timing. Changing idle jets and setting idle, replace engine mountings and reset engine height. Replace clutch slave and master cylinders and flexible hose. Remove off side front bumper for specialist re-chroming and refit. Replace speedo head unit and send speedometer for specialist rebuild. Remove and re-set rev counter. Carry out 5,000-mile service
20.10.06- Mileage: 47,763- Service Agent: R S Williams
Remove front grille assembly and nose badge. Preparing and locally priming and painting front nose panel. Flatting, polishing and refitting removed items. Remove road wheels, fitting new stainless-steel rims, radius and balance wheels, adjust front wheel bearings. Refit front calipers using new brake pads, replace both rack gaiters, adjust handbrake. Change oil and filter, replace contact breaker points and condenser and stem clean engine. Oil leaks from both cam covers so remove cam covers and front plate. Re-plate front cover breathers, clean and paint front cover. Adjust timing chains, reset valve timing, refit front cover with new gasket, fit service exchange cam covers with new gaskets. Strip carburettors, clen and reassemble using new parts as necessary Fit RSW spec throttle return springs, remove non-standard fuel pipe, make up standard fuel rail and fuel filter pipes, check fuel flow. Run engine, set ignition timing, clean K&N filters, remove and inspect thermostat. Drain coolant, remove hoses and replace radiator with RSW aluminium radiator. Refit hoses and new ducting. Check and clean connections on the alternator to address charging issues, carry out remainder of 5,000-mile service.
29.04.10- Mileage: 48,758 - Service Agent: R S Williams
Fit new condenser and low-tension lead, reset contact breaker points, found faulty rotor arm and replaced, check ignition timing, reset volumes and mixtures, present for MOT
14.08.13- Mileage: 50,724- Service Agent: R S Williams
Re-torque cylinder head, pressure test cooling system and check anti-freeze content, adjust fan belt, change oil & filter, adjust clutch and clutch pedal height, rectify intermittent fault on o/s headlamp. Unblock fuel filler drains, adjust heater valve, carry out remainder of first engine service, supply European touring bulb kit. Road test
02.05.14- Mileage: 52,036- Service Agent: Holbrook Garage
MOT
16.06.14- Mileage: 52,143- Service Agent: R S Williams
Adjust front wheel bearings, grease king pins, adjust handbrake, check oil levels, adjust clutch, adjust fan belt, pressure test cooling system, remove undertrays, check radio connections and refit undertrays. Carry out remainder or service, road test
06.05.15- Mileage: 55,165- Service Agent: R S Williams
Check over car, post rally. replace handbrake pads and adjust handbrake, bleed brake system, check all oil levels, present car for MOT
03.06.15- Mileage: n/a.- Service Agent: R S Williams
Leather bound history file
18.02.15- Mileage: n/a.- Service Agent: R S Williams
Storage of car for 4 weeks
10.06.15- Mileage: n/a.- Service Agent: R S Williams
Storage of car for 4 weeks
16.06.15- Mileage: n/a.- Service Agent: Cartronics
Pioneer DAB radio, speakers and splitter
24.07.15- Mileage: 55,401- Service Agent: R S Williams
Remove undertrays and radio console, remove rear seats and parcel shelf. Fabricating MDF rear speaker mounting board, retrimming parcel shelf to accept speakers, mounting front speakers on A post kick panels. Modify radio console and fit new unit behind speaker grille. Fit new battery with negative earth orientation and carry out full negative orientation of instrumentation
20.06.16- Mileage: 58,503- Service Agent: R S Williams
Adjust front wheel bearings, grease king pins, adjust handbrake, fit new front and rear brake pads, change brake fluid and bleed system. Check rear suspension and radius arm fixings. Adjust clutch, change oil and filter, replace fuel filter, replace air filter, adjust drive belts, check ignition timing, reset volumes and mixtures. Trace fault on side lights to faulty panel light switch, adjust heater valve, seal number plate aperture and adjust bot lid. Carry out balance of service schedule and MOT
17.05.17- Mileage: 58,767- Service Agent: R S Williams
Road test car on arrival, inspect front and rear suspension, spanner check rear suspension fixings, check exhaust system, check differential and gearbox oil levels. Adjust clutch, check fuel flow and fuel pressure, pressure test cooling system, reset contact breaker points, carry out remainder of service.
15.05.18- Mileage: 61,908- Service Agent: R S Williams
Fit two new rear tyres, clean and balance wheels, adjust front wheel bearings and grease king pins, adjust handbrake and check gearbox and axle oil levels. Fit service exchange rear shock absorbera. Adjust clutch, replace oil & filter. Replace air filter and fuel filter, check ignition timing. Replace air box seal and brake fluid reservoir indicator. Remove driver’s door panel tighten exterior door handle, replace door panel. Carry out remainder of service, MOT
17.06.19- Mileage: 63,181- Service Agent: R S Williams
Road test car on arrival, inspect front and rear suspension, spanner check rear suspension fixings, check exhaust system, check differential and gearbox oil levels. Adjust clutch, check fuel flow and fuel pressure, pressure test cooling system, reset contact breaker points. Carry out remainder of service. Replace wiper blades, MOT
09.08.21- Mileage: 64,400- Service Agent: R S Williams
Remove front caliper and disc assemblies, shock absorbers and remainder of front suspension, clean and media blast suspension components, prepare and paint as required. Reassemble using new bushes and bearings as required. Replace front anti roll bar bushes. Set up new front shock absorbers fit new front springs. Replace front wheel bearings, fit new front discs and hub assemblies. Fit two new front tyres. Replace rear flexible brake hose, bleed brake system adjust handbrake. Change axle and gearbox oil as well as the engine oil & filter, replace fuel filter. Pressure test cooling system, change wiper blades. Carry out remainder of service, MOT
28.02.22- Mileage: n/a.- Service Agent: Historic Automobiles
Strip and clean carbs, blow out all drillings, clean spark plugs, reset points, adjust front tracking
10.08.22- Mileage: 66,576- Service Agent: R S Williams
Send 4 road wheels to manufacturer for inspection. Fitting 5 new chrome wheels. Adjust wheel bearings, grease king pins, fit new nyloc nuts to top wishbone fixings, reposition steering rack gaiters, reset front toe, adjust handbrake. Reset contact breaker points, ignition timing, fit new spark plugs Change axle and gearbox oil as well as the engine oil & filter, replace fuel filter. Pressure test cooling system, change wiper blades, adjust drive belts Carry out remainder of service
16.09.24- Mileage: 68,312- Service Agent: R S Williams
Adjust front wheel bearings, bleed brake system. Replaced brake master cylinder, bleed brake system, trace a fault to rear calipers, strip and rebuild calipers, bleed system. Replace front servo and bleed system. Remove and clean spark plugs. Trace fault with starter to battery, replace battery, rectify left hand blower motor, rectify courtesy lights, clean wheelarches and underside of car Change axle and gearbox oil as well as the engine oil & filter, replace fuel filter. Pressure test cooling system, change wiper blades. Carry out remainder of service,Pressure test cooling system, change wiper blades. Carry out remainder of service,
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