Description

The DAF Daffodil 32 was the final and most refined version of DAF’s small family car line that began with the DAF 600 and continued through the Daffodil 30 and 31. Introduced in 1965, the Daffodil 32 featured modest but noticeable improvements in comfort, styling, and reliability. It remained true to the core values of the DAF brand—practicality, simplicity, and innovative engineering—while offering an even more polished experience for everyday drivers.

At the core of the Daffodil 32 was DAF’s signature Variomatic transmission system, a belt-driven continuously variable transmission (CVT) that eliminated the need for a clutch and manual gear shifting. The Variomatic allowed the car to automatically adjust its gear ratios for optimal engine efficiency and driving comfort. This technology, unusual at the time and ahead of its era, made the Daffodil 32 particularly popular with drivers seeking ease of operation, including the elderly and those new to motoring.

Power was provided by the same 746 cc air-cooled flat-twin engine used in earlier models, delivering around 30 horsepower. While performance remained modest, the car could still manage a top speed of around 105 km/h (65 mph). The smooth, stepless acceleration offered by the Variomatic system helped maximize the limited output of the engine and provided a surprisingly pleasant driving experience for a car in its class.

Externally, the Daffodil 32 saw further refinement in body detailing and finish. The exterior featured cleaner lines, improved bumpers, and simplified trim that gave it a more modern look compared to its predecessors. While still a compact two-door saloon, the design exuded a slightly more upscale feel, intended to attract a wider customer base beyond DAF’s traditional domestic audience.

Inside, the car was more comfortable and better equipped than earlier models. The interior saw improved upholstery, a more robust dashboard, and greater attention to fit and finish. While it remained a basic car by luxury standards, the Daffodil 32 offered practicality and charm with a unique Dutch character.

The Daffodil 32 was produced until around 1967, when it was succeeded by the DAF 33, a slightly larger and more modern evolution of the same basic concept. Though relatively unknown outside of Europe, the Daffodil models helped establish DAF’s reputation for technical ingenuity and set the stage for the company’s continued development of compact, CVT-equipped vehicles.

Today, the DAF Daffodil 32 is appreciated by collectors and enthusiasts as a symbol of unconventional engineering and post-war automotive optimism. Its rarity outside the Netherlands, combined with the charm of its quirky transmission and modest elegance, make it a standout in the world of vintage European compact cars.