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1966 Aston Martin Volante
Where DB5 Elegance Meets DB6 Evolution
The 1966 Aston Martin Short Chassis Volante was never intended to be a headline car — it was born out of necessity, timing, and quiet innovation. As Aston Martin transitioned from the DB5 to the DB6, they needed a solution for their open-top offering. Rather than pause production, they created a limited run of Volantes using a shortened DB6 chassis paired with the proven styling and character of the DB5. The result was a car that naturally sat between two eras, blending familiarity with subtle progression.
Its purpose was not to redefine the brand, but to maintain continuity — to ensure Aston Martin could still offer an open grand tourer while preparing for the future. Yet in doing so, they unintentionally created something far more special. The Short Chassis Volante introduced key structural improvements, including a stiffer platform, while retaining the elegance and proportions that made the DB5 so admired. It was a car built for refined, open-air motoring, designed to carry its occupants with effortless pace and understated presence.
What makes it truly significant is its rarity and position in Aston Martin’s history. With only a small number produced, it stands as a transitional piece — a moment where engineering decisions and circumstance aligned to create something unique. It wasn’t designed to be collectible, but it has become exactly that. A car that tells a story not just of design, but of evolution — quietly bridging one of the most important chapters in Aston Martin’s lineage.
One of Thirty-Seven — A Volante Defined by Provenance and Care
The 1966 Aston Martin Short Chassis Volante is not simply rare — it represents one of the most exclusive chapters in Aston Martin’s history. As one of just 37 examples ever produced, it stands as the rarest series-production convertible the marque has built, bridging the elegance of the DB5 with the advancing engineering of the DB6. Built during a moment of transition at Newport Pagnell, it carries both legacy and progression in equal measure, forming the very foundation of what would become the long-standing Volante lineage.
This particular example, chassis DBVC/2309/R, tells a story that runs far deeper than its specification. Delivered new in January 1966 in Silver Birch with black Connolly leather, it began life as a UK-market right-hand-drive car before later being professionally converted to left-hand drive by Aston Martin themselves — a detail that adds both usability and significance. Early in its life, it was not simply admired but driven, even competing at Wiscombe Park Hill Climb events in the late 1960s — a reminder that these cars were built to be experienced, not just preserved.
Across its lifetime, the car has passed through just six owners, each contributing to its ongoing story with care and intent. Extensive restorations, most notably by respected Aston Martin specialists Goldsmith and Young Ltd., have ensured the car retains both its originality and mechanical integrity. The engine has been uprated to 4.7 litres, enhancing performance while remaining true to its character, and the car has benefitted from continuous, detailed maintenance — supported by a comprehensive history file documenting decades of ownership, restoration, and use.
Today, presented in a refined grey metallic with a deep red leather interior, the car reflects both its heritage and the attention it has received over time. From concours recognition to appearances at prestigious events, it has been maintained not just as a collector’s piece, but as a living example of Aston Martin craftsmanship. With invoices approaching €200,000 and work carried out by leading specialists including Aston Martin Lagonda and marque experts, it stands as a fully realised example of what careful ownership can achieve.
More than just a rare Aston Martin, this Short Chassis Volante is a car defined by story, continuity, and purpose. It captures a fleeting moment in the brand’s evolution, preserved through decades of considered stewardship. For those who understand the significance, it offers something far beyond rarity — it offers connection, authenticity, and a place within one of Aston Martin’s most important narratives.
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“Aston Martin is something that should be driven, not just admired.” David Brown
Specification
1966
Extensive
Grey metallic
4.7L
5 Speed ZF
RWD
The 1966 Aston Martin Short Chassis Volante presents as a rare and carefully evolved example, originally delivered in Silver Birch and now finished in refined grey metallic over a deep red interior. Its Tadek Marek straight-six has been enlarged to 4.7 litres, enhancing performance while maintaining its natural balance and character. Equipped with the desirable ZF 5-speed gearbox and built on the shortened DB6 platform, it blends DB5 elegance with later engineering refinements. Professionally converted to left-hand drive by Aston Martin Lagonda and supported by extensive history and specialist restoration, it reflects long-term ownership, authenticity, and considered care.
Dark Red Connolly Leather
HistoryExtensive History
chasis No.DBVC/2309/R
The Details
This Aston Martin Vantage is finished with the Black Gloss Exterior Pack, sharpening its visual presence with refined detailing throughout the bodywork. It rides on 20-inch Gloss Black lightweight Y-spoke alloy wheels, paired with black brake calipers for a clean, assertive look. The addition of privacy glass gives the car an elegant silhouette, while Aston Martin’s wings and script badging in black provide a final nod to its performance intent.
One of its more subtle but defining touches is the Stainless Steel Quad Exhaust system in Satin Finish, a Q Special addition that enhances both the aesthetic and acoustic drama. It’s a purposeful finish that not only complements the car visually but adds to the visceral experience that begins the moment the V8 comes to life.
Inside, the cabin is a tailored mix of elegance and performance focus. The main leather is finished in Black Damson, offset with Cream Truffle accents and additional Black Damson trim. The steering wheel, wrapped in carbon leather, blends sporting intent with craftsmanship. You’re seated in heated and cooled perforated sports seats, with the seat infill colour-matched in Cream Truffle, designed to balance comfort and detail in equal measure.
Above, the Ivory Alcantara headliner brightens the cabin, while underfoot, Black Cherry carpets edged in Lords Red leather add a rich depth of tone. The cabin is framed by a Satin Carbon Fibre trim inlay and a three-tone carbon and leather interior finish, which runs through to the Black Damson parcel shelf and Warm Charcoal seatbelts. Every inch speaks to considered detail and bespoke intent — a Vantage built with elegance, precision, and just the right amount of theatre.
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