A city chip that will become a Volvo

Let’s start by setting the scene. 1^er In April 1928, Wim and Hubertus van Doorne opened a small construction workshop in Eindhoven, Holland. From these very humble beginnings, DAF has become a household name among truck manufacturers.

There is no question of approaching a heavyweight here, we will be interested in a small city car and its revolutionary transmission: the Variomatic, the ancestor of the continuously variable gearbox, will almost limit the DAF to grannies and people who do not like cars.

Traditional beginnings

In 1948 the company adopted the name Van Doorne’s Automobiel Fabriek and became DAF. It produces three-, five- and six-ton trucks twelve times a week. A logo appears on this date: a simplified wheel surrounded by horizontal lines reminiscent of leaf arrows.

Above, the three letters of DAF. It will not change until 1989. The company has been producing its own engines since the early 50s. But this is not enough for the two brothers…

In 1957, they began envisioning a small car with two doors and four seats. The two-cylinder DAF 600 with 600 cm³ and 22 hp is presented in Amsterdam.

The first DAF 600 was advertised in 1957. The car will claim a continuously variable transmission as a cultural exception. picture Daf

The beginning of the urban legend

Although the DAF 600 is small, it can accommodate four adults. It will develop slowly over the years; After the 600, 30, 31 and 32, the DAF 33 appeared in 1967. Designed by the Italian Michelotti, it used the same platform.

Its twin cylinder measures 750 cm3 and produces 32 horsepower, which allows it to reach a top speed of 110 km/h. It starts with the second generation DAF 44, still designed by the Italian designer. The floor capacity increases to 844 cm³ and the engine has 34 horsepower.

Gross weight increases to 724kg, but the 44 retains everything that makes it attractive: a transverse leaf spring for the front suspension and a broken rear axle that provides random handling on wet roads. Generous options include whitewall tires and a sunroof.

More angular, the DAF 55 benefits from a more modern line. But it's only 44. illustration DAF — More angular, the DAF 55 benefits from a more modern line. But it’s only 44. illustration DAF

Technical turnaround

Dedicated to the city, DAF is not a thunderbolt. Most owners ignore the limited performance, but the brand’s management understands that the lack of shock is one of the reasons that slows down the distribution of DAFs.

It’s hard to base the sales pitch on a top speed of 123 km/h. The model has reached the end of development; we have to find something else to perpetuate the brand.

In Eindhoven, we contacted Renault to take advantage of the R8/R10’s 1108cm³ Cléon cast iron. In 1970, at the presentation of the new DAF 55, a transplant was carried out: the theoretical balance is favorable: 55 hp.

Many advertisements of the era show a young couple without children; the goal was to attract a younger customer than the traditional buyer. Illustration DAF

Little Batave fights

The arrival of the Renault block allows the little DAF to struggle less on hills and perform better against competition that already has four-cylinder engines. But the transplant was not painless.

The transmission achieved by suspension would cause problems for the Dutch engineers, who were never perfectly successful.

In order to protect the automatic transmission from overshifting due to the large power output, to advise drivers to avoid sporty driving and strong acceleration. DAF will never mention that the block is of French origin…

The last of the DAF line received a slatted radiator grille and Volvo logo from 1975. A few cosmetic changes inside and out didn’t change the performance. The DAF P900 project would later become the Volvo 343. photo Volvo

Evolution towards the “high end”.

While the 44 offers only a break in addition to the classic 2-door, the 55 will offer a coupe to attract the “real” motorist, mostly male clientele.

The line is more elegant and the colors in the catalog are eye-catching: sunny yellow or blood orange decorated with black side stripes. We note the height of luxury, the presence of berthing seats …

But we keep the same engine. To pull all the trump cards on their side, the leaders will give the engine a little taste; with a higher compression ratio associated with improved mechanics, the 1971 55 Marathon reached 55 hp and a top speed of 150 km/h (145 in the coach version).

Revolution in 1972

In September 1972, a new generation DAF was introduced. The DAF 66 benefits from rejuvenated and more angular lines. But this is only a modernized 55.

Fortunately, the adoption of a De Dion bridge at the rear will improve handling and silence the naysayers that sometimes hint at unstable handling. The engine gains torque, which benefits revs.

In 1973, the Marathon 1300 restored the R12’s (57 hp) 1289 cm³. The 66 Marathon is known for its 4 headlights and grille with side stripes; that doesn’t make it purebred. Note the entry into the share capital of Volvo, which holds a third of the shares.

The aesthetics of the car are reminiscent of a sports car; which is not. Compared to the sedan, it accelerates by only 5 km/h. Illustration DAF

A partner is a majority

The acquisition of the interests in the DAF brand marks the moment when management realized that having a small thumb in the car industry didn’t just have advantages; it does not affect the products at this time.

Products still available! The DAF 33 lasted until 1974, when the 44 was renamed the 46. In 1975, Volvo bought all the shares in DAF’s passenger car subsidiary. The 66 will gain a grille with a cut-out Volvo logo.

Volvo makes its mark with new, thicker bumpers, a new instrument panel and exposed headrests. Volvo 66 will end its anonymous career in 1980. From the first DAF 600 to the last Volvo 66, there will be almost 930,000 vehicles.