Blog

Top Gear X Automotive Auctions

Doorne’s Aanhangwagen Fabriek. Doesn't ring a bell? Let me shorten it for you. Then you'll immediately know what Daf stands for. Under that name, the company Commanditaire Vennootschap Hub van Doorne's Machinefabriek continued in 1932. And with such a name, you understand why. The company then made trailers and semi-trailers, and it would take another twenty years before Daf's first car would appear. There is one of each type of passenger car in this collection of Dafs, which could be yours in one bid.

First, some history. The first car was the Daf 600 in 1959, already with Variomatic automatic transmission; a kind of CVT gearbox. The transmission was also called 'The Ingenious Little Stick' and you could drive the cars just as fast forwards as backwards. Hence, the car was unbeatable in the 'reverse driving' part of 'On Land, at Sea, and in the Air.' Participants raced backwards at speeds of up to 115 km/h at Circuit Zandvoort during this event. Eventually, the cars got their own class to make it fairer.

All types in this collection of Dafs

The first Dafs are also called the A-types. These are the cars of the type 600, 750, 30, 31, 32, and 33. The roomier types are called the B-type. Of these, the 44, 46, 55, and 66 exist. Automotive Auctions is now offering eighteen Dafs in a special auction. Pay close attention: some models are indeed duplicated. There is even a Daf Kalmar 441 delivery van among them. It's in a bit more, uh, authentic condition, but the rest generally looks good.

You can bid separately on all models, or you can bid on the whole pack of Dafs at once. The entire collection of Dafs is appraised at 177,350 euros. First, the auctions for the individual specimens end. Bidders then have to wait to see if the cars are sold separately or if they remain together. Why this special procedure? 'Actually, it would be nicest if the collection stays complete,' a spokesperson for Automotive Auctions explains.

Source: Top Gear

Back to overview