1975 DAF 66 Matahon Coupe 1.3 from Sweden

Summary:

A fun Ferrari-alikn e chick-catcher from the seventies!

Faults:

I am very satisfied with my car, I have owned it for twelve years now. When I purchased it, the previous owner had made a full engine service so the following four years passed without any attention from me. Unfortunately, the transmission broke down and had to be replaced with an used one from a similar car, including new transmission belts. I also had to buy new rear brake shoes and a new master cylinder, due to the winter storage...

General Comments:

The body is almost totally free from rust, but would look better having a respray...

A couple of years ago, I found a brand new engine! This following summer it will be installed and fitted with two Weber carbs and a modified exhaust system. Then, it will be a real GTI-killer!

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 30th December, 2005

11th Feb 2026, 12:53

Beautiful coupe; lucky is whoever can keep one in good condition these days.

The fact that it's rust-free speaks volumes about how good this car is. Virtually no car from the 1970s is rust-free.

Those who made this vehicle in the Netherlands were also linked to Volvo. The Volvo 3 and 4 series came from those plants.

1974 DAF 66 SL 1.1L from Netherlands

Summary:

Brilliant driveability, high fun factor

Faults:

Brakes rusted due to long stand still.

Variomatic Continuously Variable Transmission gave some vibrations.

Side window doesn't open anymore.

Some corrosion, although one cannot blame a 29 year old car for this.

Head gasket blew after 100.000 km and 25 years.

Leaking water pump.

General Comments:

Variomatic transmission (CVT) gives brilliant drivability and comfort, even though horsepower is limited, and the CVT gives you unexpected fast acceleration.

Due to trans axle construction, good road behavior, even though the damping is slightly too soft.

Has an image of being a car for elderly and disabled, until you start pulling the drive belts by full throttle, causing a surprised look on the face of the GTI driver next to you. It's even funnier when you build in a 1.4 liter engine or a Gordini tuned engine.

Would you buy another car from this manufacturer? Yes

Review Date: 25th June, 2003

30th May 2004, 11:05

Hi.

I had a Daf 66 Marathon back in the mid/late '70s. My Dad and I rebuilt it and I went Rallying in it. Bored out the 1108cc engine to 1148, had the head ported and gas flowed, fitted the Daf 663 Works Rally hi lift cam, twin 40DCOEs, a works race exhaust manifold, a custom made stainless steel exhaust and the result - 105bhp and with a drop of final drive, the 0-60 was around 7 seconds.

Add in a full Alleybars roll cage, Koni shocks all round, works springs at the rear, works torsion bars at the front, DS11 pads and VG95 shoes, we had a brilliant car!

Kleber supplied hand cut racers and M&S tyres at a discount. I loved that car.

Good luck with yours!

Cheers.

11th Jul 2005, 22:51

What is even more fun is to race against a GTI and drive in reverse and still beat the hell out of a VW golf, or Opel manta. It is only a big shame these kind of races actually meant the death of many DAF’s with the famous back to front races in the 70’s and 80’s. Luckily these little old cars are nowadays appreciated and do not have a bad image any longer.

22nd Sep 2005, 10:52

Hi.

Does anyone know roughly how much a Daf 66 (1975, automatic, would sell for these days?

22nd Sep 2005, 22:59

Which model? Coupes seem to make the most, the 1300 Marathon Coupe being highly sought after I'm told.