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DAF 55 and 66 - water-cooled
 
The DAF 55 was launched in 1968 and shared its body with the 44, but featured the Renault 1108cc water-cooled engine

The 55 took DAF more upmarket. The widely used Renault 1108cc water-cooled engine worked exceedingly well with the Variomatic transmission and proved a very popular choice. The 55 was also available in estate and sporty coupé body styles.  

All DAFs are rare now, so all are interesting and desirable. However, the one that really attracts attention and is "in demand" is the 55 coupé.

 

DAF 55 Marathon coupé 


There were two versions of the coupé, both based on the 55 saloon - the standard and the Marathon. 55 Marathon saloons and coupé's were introduced to celebrate DAF's unprecedented success in the original London-Sydney Marathon.

Although there was a backseat, this was only really suitable for small people - the roof sloped at a considerable angle!

DAF 55 estate

The estate also proved popular and useful. Again it was based on the 44 bodyshell but the useful extra power from the bigger engine meant that it could cope with heavy loads.
 
Early DAF 55 saloon
 
Later DAF 55 saloon


The DAF 66 replaced the 55, in 1972. The basic body design was the same as the "B-body" 44 and 55. However, the front wings, grille and bonnet were redesigned in a more "squared-off" style. (At a glance, it could be confused for a Mk1 VW Golf or Mk2 Ford Escort)  It also featured the then-innovative rubber-ended bumpers.

 

DAF 66 saloon


Apart from the new front end design, the main change mechanically was to the rear suspension, which now featured a de-dion axle design. This replaced the swing arm arrangement from the 44 and 55 which in some hands, could produce "interesting" handling!  The ride and handling of the 66 was widely praised. 
 
DAF 66 coupé 


The 66 was available in saloon, coupé and estate in standard, deluxe and Marathon versions. The 1108cc Renault engine was used but soon, the uprated 1289cc engine was used.  This added even more "go", and combined with the Variomatic transmission, made it a car capable of surprisingly good performance.
 
Volvo 66 saloon 


By 1976, Volvo had taken full control of DAF Cars and the DAF name disappeared from the cars. However, the 66 continued in the guise as a Volvo 66 which was basically the DAF 66 with big bumpers, highback seats, a modified transmission selector (to make it more "normal" i.e. instead of a forward to go forward leaver, we had a standard PRND selector). The Volvo 66 was available as a saloon or estate (the attractive coupé body was discontinued) and carried on in production until 1980 - although sales in the UK stopped in 1978/79..