A vintage 1966 Aston Martin, which gathered dust in a shed for 20 years, is to be lovingly restored in Northampton by a firm which paid a cool £107,900 for it.
The DB6 Vantage ‘barn find’ will be restored over the next 12 months by Eagle Vehicle Specialists.
The firm, which is based in Countess Road, Spencer, is pledging to make it the best DB6 in the world, complete with 4.7 litre engine.
The car was purchased at a Bonhams auction in May, and has already been stripped out, with one grim discovery in the boot... the skeleton of a long-deceased cat.
Eagle Vehicle Specialists is the manufacturing arm of Wigan-based Wilcox Limousines, a coach builder which was established in 1948. The Northampton-based aluminium factory’s stock trade is Daimler limousines and hearses.
Engineering director, Rikki Dillon, said: “Because of the skills we have, we have decided it is time to develop the business further.
“The reason for us doing this is to showcase the skills we have.
“The owner started to restore it 20 years ago, but then left it in a shed. They passed away and it was sold by the estate.
“We have stripped it all out, the engine is going to be rebuilt, the wiring and metal is being replaced and the trim.
“The aim is to get it as near to the original as we can... or better.
“It is an exciting venture, but it is a risk, as we have paid £107,000 for a wreck!”
Mr Dillon said it was an exciting project for his staff, as some of them had previously worked for Aston Martin.
A blog with photos of progress on the project will be posted online.
For more information on the project visit www.limousines.co.uk or email leila@ leilawilcox.com