DAF started out as a building trailers as a family business, however after World War 2 the company commenced production of trucks and later cars, each considered very innovative even by today's standards. For example, at a time when
auto transmissions were both complex and expensive, DAF was a pioneer in bringing a simplified auto to the cheaper end cars. Rather than using gears, the DAF used twin "Vee-Belts" running over 2 sets of pulleys, changing sizes according to road conditions and being controlled by a centrifugal clutch.
The
1958 DAF 33 used this ingenous
transmission (the forerunner to the now more common CVT), linked to a 590cc
air-cooled engine. As DAF's grew in size, they would switch to using
Renault running gear, and in 1968 several would be entered into the
London-Sydney marathon, and while they did not come in the placings they did finish the race, which was quite an achievement! The final iteration was released in
1972 as the 66, but the company was soon to be swallowed up by
Volvo who would restyle the 66 and launch it as the
Volvo 343.
Also see: The History of DAF