View source for DAF 66

{{Infobox automobile
| sp = uk
| image = File:Daf31.jpg
| caption = DAF 66 Marathon Coupe
| name = DAF 66
| manufacturer = [[DAF Trucks|DAF]]
| aka = 
| production = 1972–1975<br>146,297 produced
| assembly = [[Born, Netherlands]] ([[DAF Born]])
| predecessor = [[DAF 55]]
| successor = [[Volvo 66]]
| class = [[Small family car]] ([[C-segment|C]])
| body_style = 2-door [[sedan (car)|sedan]]<br />3-door [[Station wagon|estate]]<br />2-door [[coupe]]
| layout = [[FR layout]]
| platform = 
| engine = 1.1&nbsp;L (1108 cc) OHV [[straight-4]]<br />1.3&nbsp;L (1289 cc) OHV [[straight-4]]
| transmission = [[Variomatic]]
| wheelbase = {{convert|2250|mm|in|1|abbr=on}}
| length = {{convert|3835|mm|in|1|abbr=on}}<ref name=Autocar1975>{{cite magazine| author-link = Unsigned| title = 4 way selecting second hand| series = 143|magazine=[[Autocar (magazine)|Autocar]] | volume = (nbr 4105)| page =44 |date = 12 July 1975}}</ref>
| width = {{convert|1525|mm|in|1|abbr=on}}<ref name=Autocar1975/>
| height = {{convert|1448|mm|in||abbr=on}}<ref name=Autocar1975/>
| weight = {{convert|780|kg|0|abbr=on}}
| related = 
| designer = [[Giovanni Michelotti]]
}}

The '''DAF 66''' is a [[small family car]] produced by the [[Netherlands|Dutch]] company [[DAF Trucks|DAF]] from September 1972 to 1976. It was the successor of the [[DAF 55]] and was itself superseded by the reworked [[Volvo 66]]. The DAF 66 was the last four-cylinder car to feature the DAF name.

The 66 was available as a 2-door saloon, a 2-door coupé and a 3-door estate. It featured the unique [[Variomatic]] belt-driven [[continuously variable transmission]].<ref>{{cite web|author=UK2.NET |url=http://www.dafownersclub.co.uk/ |title=The UK's original and leading source of info about DAF Variomatics |publisher=DAF Owners Club |date= |access-date=2012-05-06}}</ref> In total 146,297 DAF 66s were built.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.catalogusprijs.nl/oldtimers/daf/ |title=Daf |publisher=catalogusprijs.nl |access-date=2012-05-06 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120406135121/http://www.catalogusprijs.nl/oldtimers/daf/ |archive-date=2012-04-06 }}</ref>

==Origins==

The 66 was an evolution of the 1967 [[DAF 55]]. Aside from  a cosmetic update, the redesign featured several changes, especially a major redesign of the rear axle, suspension, and drive:
*'''Powertrain'''
**The 1108 cc [[Renault Cléon-Fonte engine|Renault engine]]s were reworked to have lower emissions, changing power to {{convert|53|bhp|kW|0|abbr=on}} for the normal models, and {{convert|60|bhp|kW|0|abbr=on}} for the 1100 Marathon.
*'''Suspension'''
**The rear suspension and Variomatic was completely redesigned, learning from DAF's experience in [[Formula Three]] racing. The Variomatic was much more robust and now incorporated a [[Differential (mechanical device)|differential]] for smoother low speed maneuvering. The unpredictable swing axle rear suspension of the 44 and 55 was changed to a leaf sprung [[De Dion tube]] axle, which greatly improved handling and comfort.<ref name=Autocar1973>{{cite magazine| author-link = Unsigned| title = Autotest:DAF 66L: Simply Automatic. Not quite so fast as the 55 but just as nice to drive. De Dion rear end greatly improves road holding. Fuel consumption more than usually dependent on driving technique. Comfortable and quite roomy| series = 138|magazine=[[Autocar (magazine)|Autocar]] | volume =  (nbr 4008)| pages =34–41 |date = 22 March 1973}}</ref>
*'''Braking'''
**Cheaper models now featured drum brakes all around, whilst higher spec models retained the 55's front disk brake setup.
*'''Bodywork'''
**The complete front clip was restyled with a full width grille, giving a boxier appearance. The rear featured narrower rear lights.

==Model chronology==
The 66 was launched as a wide model range, incorporating a 2-door saloon, a 3-door estate and a 2-door [[2+2 (car body style)|2+2]] coupe. At introduction the customer could choose from 'De Luxe' (official type designation 6622 for sedans, 6632 for combis, featuring drum brakes and vinyl seats), 'Super Luxe' (Front disks and reclining cloth seats, type 6623 for sedans, 6624 for coupes, 6633 for combis) and 'Marathon' (Extra power and wider wheels, type 6625 for sedans, 6626 for coupes, 6627 for combis) trim levels.<ref name="Daf Club Nederland 2012">{{cite web|url=http://www.dafclub-oud.nl/ |title=Daf Club Nederland 2012 |publisher=Dafclub-oud.nl |access-date=2012-05-06 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120324124405/http://www.dafclub-oud.nl/ |archive-date=2012-03-24 }}</ref>

In 1973 the '1300 Marathon' replaced the original Marathon (type 6645 for sedans, 6646 for coupes, 6647 for combis). It featured a 1289cc {{convert|57|bhp|kW|0|abbr=on}} version of the [[Renault]] [[Renault Cléon engine|C-series]] inline 4 engine used in all 66s. The 1300 Marathon was distinguishable from its lesser brethren by the foglights mounted in the grille. The interior featured a centre console with room for fitting extra gauges and high backed cloth sports seats. The less torquey but more powerful 1108cc Marathon engine remained available as an option on all models.

In 1974 the Dutch Armed Forces commissioned DAF to build a small personnel carrier. This car, the YA 66 was an adaptation of the normal 1108cc 66 sedan, with the most apparent change being a roofless, Jeep like body. Technically it was very similar, and as such had little to no terrain capacity. 1201 DAF YA 66s were built. They were all decommissioned in the early 1990s and sold to the public.<ref name="Daf Club Nederland 2012"/>

==DAFs in the media==
A white saloon version of the DAF 66 features in the opening credit sequence of series 2 of the British made [[ITV (TV network)|ITV]] detective series ''[[Van der Valk (1972 TV series)|Van der Valk]]'' which was filmed on location in Amsterdam. Van der Valk is seen as a passenger in this sequence and the car is subsequently seen in a number of episodes.

{{clear left}}

==Gallery==
<gallery widths=200 heights=145>
File:DAF 66 23 (1976) 25-FL-29 pic1.JPG|DAF 66 Saloon
File:Daf 66 Super Luxe Coupé.jpg|1975 DAF 66 Super Luxe Coupé front
File:Daf 66 Super Luxe Coupé rear.jpg|1975 DAF 66 Super Luxe Coupé rear
File:Daf 66 Estate ADAC Mitglied.jpg|1974 DAF 66 Estate
File:Daf YA 66 frontDaf YA 66 front.jpg|1975 DAF YA 66 front
File:Daf YA 66 rear.jpg|1975 DAF YA 66 rear
</gallery>

==References==
{{reflist}}

==External links==
{{commons category|DAF 66}}
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20070226062018/http://clubs.hemmings.com/clubsites/daf/2006-images/DAF-55-Family-Tree.pdf DAF 55/DAF 66 Family Tree] 
* [http://www.dafmuseum.nl/ The DAF museum, Eindhoven (site in Dutch)] &mdash; complete with "DAFeteria" for refreshments
* [http://www.classic-daf.nl/ Classic DAF]

{{DAF}}

[[Category:Rear-wheel-drive vehicles]]
[[Category:DAF vehicles|66]]
[[Category:Station wagons]]
[[Category:Sedans]]
[[Category:Coupés]]
[[Category:1970s cars]]
[[Category:Vehicles with CVT transmission]]
[[Category:Cold War military equipment of the Netherlands]]