DAF 66
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The DAF 66 is a small family car produced by the Dutch company DAF from September 1972 to 1976. It was the successor of the
DAF 55 The DAF 55 is a small family car produced by the Dutch company DAF from December 1967 to September 1972. At that time it was replaced with the DAF 66. All 55s featured the unique Variomatic belt-driven continuously variable transmission, wi ...
and was itself superseded by the reworked Volvo 66. The DAF 66 was the last four-cylinder car to feature the DAF name. The 66 was available as a 2-door saloon, a 2-door coupé and a 3-door estate. It featured the unique
Variomatic Variomatic is the continuously variable transmission (CVT) of the Netherlands, Dutch car manufacturer DAF Trucks, DAF, originally developed by Hub van Doorne. It is a stepless, fully-automatic transmission, consisting of a V-shaped drive-belt, ...
belt-driven
continuously variable transmission A continuously variable transmission (CVT) is an automated Transmission (mechanical device), transmission that can change through a continuous range of gear ratios, typically resulting in better fuel economy in gasoline applications. This contr ...
. In total 146,297 DAF 66s were built.


Origins

The 66 was an evolution of the 1967
DAF 55 The DAF 55 is a small family car produced by the Dutch company DAF from December 1967 to September 1972. At that time it was replaced with the DAF 66. All 55s featured the unique Variomatic belt-driven continuously variable transmission, wi ...
. Aside from a cosmetic update, the redesign featured several changes, especially a major redesign of the rear axle, suspension, and drive: *Powertrain **The 1108 cc Renault engines were reworked to have lower emissions, changing power to for the normal models, and for the 1100 Marathon. *Suspension **The rear suspension and Variomatic was completely redesigned, learning from DAF's experience in
Formula Three Formula Three (F3) is a third-tier class of open-wheel formula racing. The various championships held in Europe, Australia, South America and Asia form an important step for many prospective Formula One drivers. History Formula Three (adop ...
racing. The Variomatic was much more robust and now incorporated a differential for smoother low speed maneuvering. The unpredictable swing axle rear suspension of the 44 and 55 was changed to a leaf sprung De Dion tube axle, which greatly improved handling and comfort. *Braking **Cheaper models now featured drum brakes all around, whilst higher spec models retained the 55's front disk brake setup. *Bodywork **The complete front clip was restyled with a full width grille, giving a boxier appearance. The rear featured narrower rear lights.


Model chronology

The 66 was launched as a wide model range, incorporating a 2-door saloon, a 3-door estate and a 2-door 2+2 coupe. At introduction the customer could choose from 'De Luxe' (official type designation 6622 for sedans, 6632 for combis, featuring drum brakes and vinyl seats), 'Super Luxe' (Front disks and reclining cloth seats, type 6623 for sedans, 6624 for coupes, 6633 for combis) and 'Marathon' (Extra power and wider wheels, type 6625 for sedans, 6626 for coupes, 6627 for combis) trim levels. In 1973 the '1300 Marathon' replaced the original Marathon (type 6645 for sedans, 6646 for coupes, 6647 for combis). It featured a 1289cc version of the
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C-series inline 4 engine used in all 66s. The 1300 Marathon was distinguishable from its lesser brethren by the foglights mounted in the grille. The interior featured a centre console with room for fitting extra gauges and high backed cloth sports seats. The less torquey but more powerful 1108cc Marathon engine remained available as an option on all models. In 1974 the Dutch Armed Forces commissioned DAF to build a small personnel carrier. This car, the YA 66 was an adaptation of the normal 1108cc 66 sedan, with the most apparent change being a roofless, Jeep like body. Technically it was very similar, and as such had little to no terrain capacity. 1201 DAF YA 66s were built. They were all decommissioned in the early 1990s and sold to the public.


DAFs in the media

A white saloon version of the DAF 66 features in the opening credit sequence of series 2 of the British made ITV detective series '' Van der Valk'' which was filmed on location in Amsterdam. Van der Valk is seen as a passenger in this sequence and the car is subsequently seen in a number of episodes.


Gallery

File:DAF 66 23 (1976) 25-FL-29 pic1.JPG, DAF 66 Saloon File:Daf 66 Super Luxe Coupé.jpg, 1975 DAF 66 Super Luxe Coupé front File:Daf 66 Super Luxe Coupé rear.jpg, 1975 DAF 66 Super Luxe Coupé rear File:Daf 66 Estate ADAC Mitglied.jpg, 1974 DAF 66 Estate File:Daf YA 66 frontDaf YA 66 front.jpg, 1975 DAF YA 66 front File:Daf YA 66 rear.jpg, 1975 DAF YA 66 rear


References


External links


DAF 55/DAF 66 Family Tree

The DAF museum, Eindhoven (site in Dutch)
— complete with "DAFeteria" for refreshments
Classic DAF
{{DAF Rear-wheel-drive vehicles 66 Station wagons Sedans Coupés 1970s cars Vehicles with CVT transmission Cold War military equipment of the Netherlands