A trio of Aston Martins found at opposite ends of the country are set to appear at the Practical Classics Restoration and Classic Car Show, held at Birmingham’s NEC on Saturday 28th and Sunday 29th March.
Dave Whiting’s 1967 Aston Martin DB6 Volante Vantage Convertible will make the journey from West Sussex to be apart of the Heritage Insurance Barn Find display, aiming to create the UK’s biggest gathering of barn finds.
“I bought the car in 1976, as we’d had an excellent summer,” explains Dave. “I won the Aston Martin Owners Club national autumn concours with my DB4 the preceding year, and desired a convertible. Hence a deal was done with a friend who ran a classic car dealership – he took my concours DB4, and I bought the ragged DB6 from him. And I gave him money…”
The car’s been on Minilites since purchase, and was used to tow a caravan. A carburettor fire almost put paid to the whole car, but Dave’s quick thinking in starting the car to draw the fire through ensured it was saved. As one of just 29 Vantages and one of very few with all the options, it’s a rare car that deserves restoration.
Meanwhile two rare manual Aston Martins currently in storage in the Lake District will also be heading to the Midlands for the display – a 1971 DBS6 and 1973 DBS V8.
The DBS6 is stripped back to the bare alloy awaiting restoration, although its more or less complete, however it’s in a queue behind the DBS V8, which is a black dash specification, that has been barn stored for over 25 years awaiting the same treatment from the owner.
The Heritage Insurance Barn Find display will include a mix of marques including a Jensen Interceptor SP and an E-Type Jaguar as well as two cars featured in last year’s inaugural display that have since been restored – a Triumph 2000 and the Heritage-liveried Austin Van.
The Practical Classics Restoration & Classic Car Show has doubled in size with its content and features including the PC Live Stage, expert advice, live demonstrations, Silverstone Auctions’ project and classic car sale and an extensive trader village including the UK’s spring’s largest indoor Autojumble, leading dealers and specialist restorers.
Ticket prices start from £12 in advance. To book tickets and for the latest updates, visit www.necrestorationshow.com or call 0844 858 6758.
Leave a Reply