1973 DAF 66

For around a decade, DAF officially sold some cars in North America. This wasn't one of them. DAF stopped selling cars in North America in the late 1960s.

The DAF 66 came with 1100cc and 1300cc Renault engines. The 1100cc engines, depending on the model, produced between 53 and 60 horsepower. The 1300cc produced 57 HP.

The Renault engine is a good, dependable engine, but nothing special. It is what the engine is attached to that makes this car very, very interesting.

The DAF 66 (along with other DAF models) used a transmission called the Variomatic. It was a CVT transmission, developed by DAF in the 1950s. It was the first commercially successful CVT. It was a good, well ahead of its time, transmission. The only real flaw (and it really can't be called that) in the system was the rubber drive belts that went from the transmission to the differential. These, because they were exposed to the elements and road hazards, tended to wear prematurely.

DAF was eventually bought by Volvo and the 66, with some minor changes, was renamed the Volvo 66.

Volvo stopped using the DAF name on cars and sold the Variomatic patents to a company called VDT (Van Doorne Transmissie). VDT was later taken over by Bosch. The CVT transmissions found in today's Audis, Mercedes and many other cars are direct descendants of the Variomatic.

This is a well traveled DAF. It started life, of course, in The Netherlands. It was first sold in Great Britain. At some point it found its way to the United States. The seller then bought it last year and brought it to Canada.

The car is in good, but not perfect shape. On the plus side, it's been well maintained. The engine has been rebuilt, as has the carb. The rubber drive belts have been replaced. The transmission has been "serviced" and it's had some electrical work done to it.

The downside is that the car has some rust and dings. The seller says it's all minor, but on a car like this - definitely a show car and not a daily driver - it will need to be attended to. He also describes the rear seat as being "toast."

I have no idea what a DAF 66 is worth in North America. A car like this is really only worth what someone will pay for it. Last year a 66 station wagon, in better shape, sold for $5800.00. The seller is asking C$3500.00 (roughly US$3517.00) for this one.

Located in White Rock, BC, Canada, click here to see the Craigslist ad.

The cutaway picture is courtesy of the DAF Owners Club.

A big thanks to "Pickles" for sending me the link to this car!