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Featured: Is This Dutch Classic Finally As Cool As A BMW?

Is This Dutch Classic Finally As Cool As A BMW?

By Michael Banovsky
September 17, 2015

Photography by Pim Verest

From his first car, a Volkswagen Beetle, Pim Verest has been learning how to maintain and customize a classic. But at 23, he was ready for a new challenge: to make a DAF cool. Living in Eindhoven, the hometown of this once-popular Dutch brand, most 66 seen on the roads are kept original.

But not Pim’s: this once ochre yellow, €1,900 66 was repaired, given Minilite wheels, refreshed mechanicals, a lowered suspension, DAF Marathon-inspired stripes, and an entirely new 1,400-cc engine. Most importantly, at 90 horsepower and ~1650 lbs (750 kg), it’s enough poke to give even classic BMW owners something to dice with on a twisty road.

Like what he’s done to his 66? Be sure to follow him on Instagram to see how the car evolves.

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BMW 2002 DAF 66
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Daniel Willis
Daniel Willis
8 years ago

What an amazing car.
It’s not in the same league as the 2002, but I don’t think it’s any less cool.

2
Jon Ulrich
Jon Ulrich
9 years ago

My favorite DAF was the 66 Marthon coupe, a sporty little car with a little more flair than the 2-door sedan. But I would take Mr. Verest’s without hesitation. The DAF was made for Holland and Holland was made for the DAF. The DAF version cvt works best on level ground and I’ve seen many scurrying along the highways when I visited the Netherlands. It makes me smile when I see these cars kept on the road. No, it may not be a BMW, but it is enjoyable for the quirky little car it is.

4
Richard Butler
Richard Butler
9 years ago

The DAF 66 was the last of the DAF “B-bodies” before being taken over by Volvo, who carried on with it slightly modified with big bumpers as the Volvo 66, right up to 1980.

You can seen the “family connection” between it and the BMW – the bodies were both designed by Michelotti.

Incidentally, prior to the Volvo takeover, DAF were in talks with other potential partners including BMW, but the deal was not followed through with them.

DAFs are very underrated and misunderstood by many because of their way-ahead-of-their time Variomatic CVT transmissions. The 66 in particular was (and is if you can find one) a delight to drive as it had de dion rear suspension.

2
Will Ellingham
Will Ellingham
8 years ago
Reply to  Richard Butler

Great info, Richard; thanks! I did notice that `Hofmeister Kink´ in the c-pillar; with your pointing out the connection, a number of similar styling cues between these two now make sense.

1
Guitar Slinger
Guitar Slinger
9 years ago

Is it cool in a very ” If its Dutch its not much ” .. [ automotively speaking other than Donkervoort ] sort of a way ?

Why yes it is . Very much so in light of the excellent and tasteful mild RESTO MOD ** done on the car

But is it cool in comparison to a BMW ? Not hardly ! Fact is the deadly * Daf is not only not in BMW’s league .. Daf never even had a clue a league such as BMW’s ever even existed

* As to the ‘ deadly ‘ comment .. Trust me you do not ever want to get into an accident in a Daf . Also FYI .. in case any insult was taken by the Dutch not being much [ automotively speaking ] comment . My lovely wife is Dutch … she being the one who brought that little Dutch axiom to my attention .. and …..

** Please ; Can we finally learn to differentiate between Restorations and Resto Mods .. this being a mild RESTO MOD !!!

-4
bobby richard
bobby richard
9 years ago

Did not know about this car but very similar indeed. The cabin (Top etc) seems bigger than the 2002 giving a distinct look.

0
Robert Slavenburg
Robert Slavenburg
9 years ago

As cool as a 2002? Only in reverse. 😉
Seriously though, this is a cool looking Daf. More interesting than most things on the road these days but they were never designed to make for an engaging drive. ‘Econo-special’

0
Yoeri Obbens
Yoeri Obbens
9 years ago

But with the modded drive train is it still as fast backwards as it is forwards? In the 80’s there was a Dutch entertainment show where these were used to race backwards. In the earlier editions people modded the rear axle so that the top speed was around 115kph, backwards indeed 😀
Later on they moved to another circuit where there was no long straight and high top speed was not important anymore. They did add a small ramp on the finish line to make it more entertaining; http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S7ipFApsFec

0
Gavin Clark
Gavin Clark
9 years ago

Not something I would ever think to buy or prep in such a way….but like what he’s done. And that is what drew me to Petrolicious in the first place….articles on real world cars more of us could actually own.

1
Mike Tunney
Mike Tunney
9 years ago

Nice car! Does anyone know what seats are in it?

0
Yan Scharrelmann
Yan Scharrelmann
9 years ago

The rear end of this car reminds me of the Giulia Nuova Super with the flat trunk lid. Very cool!

0
Willam Giltzow
Willam Giltzow
9 years ago

A Daf never has enough pedals….

-1
Mark St Clair
Mark St Clair
9 years ago

Beautiful restoration on an interesting classic but to answer the question on the tiltle of this article.
No.

0
Paul Steel
Paul Steel
9 years ago

Have to admit, I know nothing of the DAF 66, had to google it to see what a standard car looks like.
Nice job, this car looks like it has purpose 🙂

0
Christopher Gay
Christopher Gay
9 years ago
Reply to  Paul Steel

Agreed.

0

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