V.I.S.I.T. – DAF Punk Edition


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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  1. engineerd Avatar

    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.

    1. Han_Solex Avatar

      There was the undoubtedly awesome (although questionably capable) DAF 66 YA:
      <img src="http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/f/fa/Daf66ya.jpg"&gt;
      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.

      1. engineerd Avatar

        Awesome. The DAF vs. FAF discussion is one of those that can never die.

        1. Alff Avatar

          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.

          1. blueplate Avatar

            Your entire comment is [Redacted].

      2. engineerd Avatar

        Mine has gun mounts. Score!
        <img src="http://www.jalopnik.com/assets/resources/2006/12/a_faf.jpg&quot; 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. 😉

    2. mdharrell Avatar

      "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.

      1. BЯдΖǐL-ЯЄРΘЯΤЄЯ Avatar
        BЯдΖǐL-ЯЄРΘЯΤЄЯ

        <img src="http://www.oldclassiccar.co.uk/photos-weston/32.jpg"&gt;
        <img src=http://www.oldclassiccar.co.uk/photos-weston/33.jpg">
        Dafodillomino!

  2. Tanshanomi Avatar

    <img src="http://forix.autosport.com/8w/altpower/daf33-transmission.jpg"&gt;
    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!

    1. dustin_driver Avatar

      I could stare at that for hours. It's IRS, no?

      1. Smells_Homeless Avatar

        Gotta be. There's no reason for two separate drive belts otherwise.

  3. joshuman Avatar

    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.

  4. muthalovin Avatar

    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.

    1. Tim Odell Avatar
      Tim Odell

      Saw a Citroen SM at lunch today.

  5. dustin_driver Avatar

    Okay, this settles it. I'm applying for that job in Seattle and I'm moving to Ballard.

  6. rennsport964 Avatar

    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.