From the Land of Tulips—The DAF Daffodil

The Dutch name DAF—Van Doorne Automobielfabriek(Van Doorne’s Automobile Factory)—is world-famous for its beefy trucks. But some familiar with its massive long-haul semis might be surprised to learn that DAF produced compact and small family cars from 1959 to 1974.

Two points to remember about these DAF cars are that they were all two-door models (though some count hatchback versions as three-door vehicles); and they all were Variomatic cars, being fitted with DAF’s continuously-variable transmission. In the Variomatic system, the engine powers a bevel drive (under the rear seat), which rotates two output shafts, each spinning a V-belt. In turn, each V-belt drives one of the back wheels.