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DAF 600 Variomatic - small 'wonder car' from Holland

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Created on July 1, 1958

Text:

Günther Gebhardt

Photos:

Archiv

26

Archiv

26

DAF 600 (1960) - was often ordered in pastel colors

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DAF 600 (1958) - on the cover of 'hobby' magazine

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DAF 600 (1958) - from the land of windmills

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DAF 600 (1958) - the technical finesse explained

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The ultra-modern factories - DAF van Doorne plants in Eindhoven

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DAF 600 (1959) - often driven by women - from a sales brochure

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DAF 600 (1959) - often driven by women

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DAF 600 (1960) - Illustration on a sales brochure

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DAF 600 (1960) - cover picture of a sales brochure of the time

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DAF 600 (1960) - illustration in a sales brochure from 1960

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DAF 600 (1959) - view from diagonally above

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DAF 600 (1959) - somewhat grim-looking front

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DAF 600 (1959) - space for five people

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DAF 600 (1960) - side view, left

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DAF 600 (1960) - with plain bodywork

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DAF 600 (1959) - looks really smart

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DAF 600 (1959) - the car comes from the land of windmills

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DAF 600 (1959) - what is a DAF with a lady doing alone in the forest?

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DAF 600 (1959) - A look inside the small car

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DAF 600 (1959) - No clutch pedal, simple dashboard

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DAF 600 (1959) - Rear

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DAF 600 (1959) - plenty of space in the trunk

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DAF 600 (1960) - View into the engine compartment

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DAF 600 (1959) - View of the four-stroke boxer engine

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DAF 600 (1959) - the see-through drawing reveals the technology

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DAF 600 (1960) - compact dimensions

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Summary

The magazine 'hobby' described the Daf 600 Variomatic as a "remarkable outsider on the small car market", which it subjected to intensive scrutiny even before exports began in 1958. And it was impressed. This vehicle report reproduces the original wording of the detailed article at the time and is extensively illustrated with historical images and two sales brochures from the period. Interesting not only for DAF fans!

This article contains the following chapters

One-size-fits-all?
Surprise from the land of tulips and chocolate
Surprising new release
The small car shows greatness
Small car reimagined
Sophisticated power transmission
Simple and yet very effective solutions
Putting it through its paces on the road
Backwards as fast as forwards
Safe and easy to handle
Economical
A pike in the 600 carp pond
Technical profile

Estimated reading time: 10min

Preview (beginning of the article)

The 'battlefield' of the 600cc favorites is still calm before the storm, so to speak. Although various models are already appearing on the roads of Europe in increasing numbers, the big 'run' has not yet begun. Series production of the well-known favorites is only just starting. Individual companies that had caused a stir with promising prototypes at the 1957 motor shows were still tinkering with the final concept, making changes, improvements and calculations in order to really be able to lead the strongest trump card in the expected big battle for the favor of the small car buyer. By and large, all the stars of the new 600 car class, which was created overnight so to speak, follow a common basic concept - with various deviations. The drive towards the space-saving rear engine is clearly evident, as is the preference for air-cooled four-strokes, which in many cases have been further developed from proven two-wheel engines.

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