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The DAF Variomatic was launched at the 1958 motor show in Amsterdam. The reaction from the Press and public was astounding - here was a small, compact car which could comfortably carry four people and their luggage, economically and also be very easy to drive.
 
  
This was due to the simplicity and brilliance of the Variomatic fully automatic transmission.
 
 
 
Until now, automatic transmissions tended to be only available on large cars. And conventional automatic  transmissions were not efficient.

The Variomatic was the brain child of Dr. Hub van Doorne (van Doorne's Automobiel Fabrieken - DAF) and was infinitely variable in its ratios - there were no noticeable gear changes. The pulleys in the transmission expanded and contracted, depending on speed, road conditions and driver's demand automatically. Final drive to the rear wheels was transmitted by rubber-composite drive belts.
 


It became known as the "car of a hundred gears" and "the easiest car in the world to drive". There was a selector lever between the front seats - simply push it forward to go forwards and back to go back! And as with any other automatic car, there are just two pedals - accelerator and brake.

The first DAFs were delivered to customers in 1959, with a 600cc air-cooled twin cylinder engine. This same engine remained in production in an enlarged 746cc guise until 1975 in the 33. Over the years, other DAF models were launched - the 44 with 850cc engine; the 55 with 1100cc four-cylinder Renault engine and the 66 with 1100/1300 Renault engines.

 



DAF Cars proved very popular with hundreds of thousands of motorists in Europe and other parts of the world. Due to the simplicity of the driving experience, it is unfortunate that to some people, there was an "image" problem - typically some would regard it as an "old person's car". But
those who understood how to get the most out of the cars would be able surprise many other motorists with the efficient use of power.

 


 


 

The last DAF-badged car was made in 1975, as Volvo took control of DAF Cars. The Volvo 66 was launched, which was essentially a DAF 66 with big bumpers. In 1976, the Volvo 343 (later 340) was launched which was always available with Variomatic transmission up to the end of its
manufacturing run in 1991. However, the spirit of Variomatic transmission lives on in new generation CVT cars.