DAF DAF Daffodil History

Launched in 1961 alongside the near-identical DAF 750, the Daffodil (badged DAF 30 in most markets) was the company's main product through the early 1960s. Its 746 cc air-cooled flat-twin and Variomatic CVT meant there was no clutch, no gear lever, and — thanks to the symmetrical transmission — the car could travel backwards at the same speed as forwards, a curiosity that delighted press and customers alike.

Italian designer Giovanni Michelotti was brought in for the DAF 31 refresh of 1963, sharpening the body lines with more angular styling and prominent tail fins while upgrading the interior; the DAF 32 followed in 1965 with further refinements. A brief performance spin-off — the 32 S — used a bored-out 763 cc engine good for roughly 36 hp and a 75 mph top speed.

By 1966–1967 the Daffodil range was superseded by the purpose-numbered DAF 33 and the larger DAF 44, which adopted a unified double-digit naming scheme. The Daffodil's easy, clutch-free driving character had already earned DAF a loyal following, particularly among older and newly-licensed drivers.