DAF Daffodil
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The DAF 750 is a sma family caur that wis manufactured bi DAF frae 1961 until 1963. It replaced the DAF 600. At the same time as launching the 750, DAF launched the DAF Daffodil which wis essentially the same caur but with more luxurious fittings an a lot more chrome trim on the ootside. The Daffodil wis conceived as an export version o the 750, but the market response dictated a speedy demise for the 750 while the better equipped Daffodil fared rather better. The 750 therefore ceased production in 1963 while the Daffodil, the beneficiary o a succession o mild face lifts, remained in production until 1967 when the DAF Daffodil wis replaced bi the slightly more powerful but otherwise very similar DAF 33.
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[edit] The names
The Daffodil name worked well in some markets, but in the domestic market an in Germany the more luxuriously equipped version o the DAF 750 wis kent as the DAF 30. Upgrades in 1963 an 1965 wur marked bi name changes tae DAF 31 an DAF 32. In these markets the launch o the DAF 33 in 1967 wis merely a continuation o an existing line.
[edit] The ingine
The 746 cc fower stroke air cooled 2 cylinder Boxer engine haed the same stroke as in the 600, but the bore wis increased frae 76 mm to 85.5 mm. Claimed pouer ootput wis also increased frae 22 bhp (16 kW) tae 30 bhp (22 kW), an a maximum speed o 105 km/h (65 mph) wis claimed.
[edit] Running gear
The DAF 600 had been the first car to have a continuously variable transmission (CVT) system - the innovotive DAF Variomatic, and the same system was carried over to the 750 and its variants. The DAF Variomatic employs centrifugal weights to shift the transmission and is enhanced by an engine manifold vacuum. The DAF Variomatics were thereby the only cars ever produced which went faster by the simple expedient of gently and gradually releasing the accelerator once top speed had been reached. The Variomatic also permitted increased engine braking by operating a switch on the dashboard which reversed the action of the vacuum on the pulley's diaphragm, seeking a lower ratio with increased manifold vacuum.
[edit] Chronology
Between 1961 an 1967 the mechanical aspects o the caur wur na significantly changed.
1963 marked the withdrawal o the 750 an 30 badges, an the DAF 30 wis replaced bi the DAF 31. The exterior o the caur wis modestly reworked with input frae Michelotti which involved sharpened angles an more prominent fins: the interior wis also significantly upgraded.
In 1965 the DAF 32 replaced the DAF 31. This upgrade wis marked bi further limited changes tae the body panels, again involving Michelotti whose influence woud continue tae be seen on DAF passenger caurs until the Limburg caur assembly business wis acquired bi Volvo.
[edit] Popular references
The DAF Daffodil gave name tae the late 80's/early 90's Manchester Indie baund The New Fast Automatic Daffodils, efter an advert for the caur, which stated "The New, Fast Daffodil - fully Automatic".
[edit] Notes
- This airticle incorporates text translated frae the Dutch Wikipedia articles on the DAF Daffodil an the DAF 750 as o 2008-03-10 .
