Miguel Sánchez
Just a few weeks ago we offered you an article where we reflected on the origin and present of the bodies “shooting brake". Regarding their future, the issue may be complex since, beyond their usual shortage In both popular and exclusive ranges, the truth is that the concept is being dangerously adulterated thanks to the use that Mercedes is making of the term in its station wagons with a lowered rear profile.
However, as far as the beginnings are concerned, everything is perfectly clear and detailed: far from being born out of a simple stylistic whim, these did so under the sign of hunting and the consequent transport of dogs. An activity quite widespread among the British upper class, which formed the bulk of the clientele for brands such as Aston Martin and its DB5.
Launched in 1963, these GTs represented the pinnacle of the firm in terms of its production cars, establishing for posterity the definition of what one of its vehicles should be based on the mix of Power, sportiness and obvious English style.
A formula to which 12 units were added by the coachbuilder Radford in the form of "shooting brake”, all of them offered by the brand itself in what was a curious attempt to adapt to this meager but existing market niche. Something that, while remaining in a certain way in the collective imagination of the brand -see the Vanquish dressed like this during the past 2018-, did not have a continuation up to par with the DB6 of 1965.
ASTON MARTIN DB6 SHOOTING BRAKE, FROM TOURING TO FLM
Since the appearance of the DB4 in 1958, the British manufacturer Aston Martin showed a growing concern for its bodies, reaching outsource most of them in the work of the Italian Touring.
Thus, the system “super light" -based on the installation of the panels on a thin steel lattice attached to the chassis- became one of the distinctive features of the DB4, DB5 and DB6, which They thus gained in lightness without forgetting how in the case of the former they became even more sparse on the scale with the arrival of the units bodied by Zagato and its vision designed for racing.
In this way, one of the most curious questions in the units "shooting brake” relative to the DB5 and DB6 is the mix of bodywork firms in their production because, not in vain, the adaptations made by Radford -DB5, with the 12 units mentioned- and FLM Panelcraft -DB6, reaching only 6- were always made on the basis of a GT previously finished by Touring in its Milan workshops.
THE UNIT AT AUCTION
Visually the "shooting brake” signed by Radford They are differentiated from the finishes by FLM Panelcraft for having a lower profile at the rear while not including side windows that open behind the B pillar.
Because of this, DB5s with this type of body look much more refined than their successors, although, in all fairness, the quality of the latter is excellent as they come from a coachbuilder famous for their work in relation to many of the Rolls-Royce more exclusive.
At this point, the unit up for auction - a 6 DB1966 and therefore on behalf of FLM Panelcraft - not only represents one of the most interesting and exotic examples in the entire history of this Aston Martin model, but is also displayed under a excellent state of conservation maintaining its original inline six-cylinder engine as well as an interior where the Connolly leather looks in an enviable state.
Without a doubt one of the “shooting brake” most seductive of all time, now at auction in Paris thanks to the work of RM Sotheby's.
Images: RM Sotheby's
