By Alex Kierstein
This Volvo 66 (née DAF 66) rolled out of the Van Doorne’s Aanhangwagen Fabriek sometime between 1975 and 1980, after Volvo purchased DAF in 1974. It’s likely been befuddling passersby and seducing bizarre car enthusiasts (like me!) ever since.
Motivated by the Renault Cléon in 1108cc or 1239cc flavors channeled through DAF’s legendary Variomatic CVT, the 66 was still as DAF as they got, although Volvo outfitted the model with such safety features as side impact beams, headrests, and a “park” function for the transmission. While DAFs have always been relatively popular in the Netherlands, they’re unheard of in the US. I know there are a few Dutch expatriates and assorted eccentrics that take undue pleasure in announcing their car’s uniqueness by driving it backwards at high speeds, but the population of DAFs in the US must be less than 100 total. Seeing this 66, which was clearly in great shape, was a real treat. And it was less than a mile away from yesterday’s Imp! Oh Ballard, you never cease to amaze me.
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Nice find, however I will see your Dutch and raise you French: facile à fabriquer, facile à financer. That's right. FAF. Was there a DAF pickup truck? Nope. I didn't think so.
There was the undoubtedly awesome (although questionably capable) DAF 66 YA:
<img src="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/f/fa/Daf66ya.jpg">
But I like that you're going all old-school on me here, what, with the DAF vs FAF. I kinda wish Davey hadn't burned out on autoblogging, although it's nice to chat with him about all things Fangio now and then.
Awesome. The DAF vs. FAF discussion is one of those that can never die.
DAF vs. FAF is the exclusive trademark of Gawker Media, its subsidiaries and licensed agents. Any use of DAF vs. FAF without the prior approval of Gawker Media may result in criminal prosecution and civil penalties.
Your entire comment is [Redacted].
Mine has gun mounts. Score!
<img src="http://www.jalopnik.com/assets/resources/2006/12/a_faf.jpg" style="width: 340px; height: 228px; border: 0" alt="imgTag" />
Also, I fart in the Gawker media trademark's general direction. Gawker's mother is a hamster, and Ray Wert smells of elderberries. 😉
"Was there a DAF pickup truck?" Yup. I do think so. In fact, if you download the current classifieds of the Vintage Microcar Club:
http://microcar.org/microcarnews/2010/cl2.pdf
you'll find two for sale in Vermont: a fixer-upper on the first page for $1500 and a restored one on the second page for $5000.
<img src="http://www.oldclassiccar.co.uk/photos-weston/32.jpg">
<img src=http://www.oldclassiccar.co.uk/photos-weston/33.jpg">
Dafodillomino!
<img src="http://forix.autosport.com/8w/altpower/daf33-transmission.jpg">
If you can't love something this crazy good, you should be forced to live somewhere where there's absolutely nothing mechanical. Like on the moon. And no playing with leftover NASA gear, either!
I could stare at that for hours. It's IRS, no?
Gotta be. There's no reason for two separate drive belts otherwise.
Ballard is a treasure trove of aging machinery both on land and in the water. It is too bad that it is such a pain in the rear for me to get there since I live east of I-5.
I am ashamed to not be quick on the draw. Yesterday, on my commute home, I saw a Yellow Esprit. Just col' idling in traffic.
Saw a Citroen SM at lunch today.
Okay, this settles it. I'm applying for that job in Seattle and I'm moving to Ballard.
Geez, Han. Clearly I live in the wrong area of Seattle. Over here, I see Teslas, Cobras, Elises, R8s, and GT3s. Sometimes a Classic Mini. Occasionally a Giulietta. But never a DAF or an Imp.