DAF DAF 33 History

Introduced in 1967 as the direct successor to the DAF 30/31/32 Daffodil series, the DAF 33 adopted the company's new double-digit nomenclature while carrying over the proven 746 cc air-cooled flat-twin and Variomatic CVT unchanged. The body was a mild evolution of the Daffodil shell with a cleaner grille and updated interior.

Over its seven-year life the 33 received incremental improvements: camshaft revisions lifted power modestly, and in September 1972 the electrical system was upgraded from 6V to 12V. Estate (Combi) and panel van derivatives were available from the outset, and the van version proved particularly popular with Dutch public-sector fleets including the Royal Dutch Mail (PTT) and the national roads authority.

Total production reached 131,618 units across saloon, combi, van, and pick-up body styles before the model was retired in 1974. Its no-frills, fully automatic character made it a popular choice for driving schools and first-time car owners throughout the Netherlands.