Description
The DAF Kalmar KVD 440 was an earlier version of the light utility vehicle developed by Kalmar Verkstad in Sweden, with mechanical components sourced from Dutch manufacturer DAF. Like its successor, the KVD 441, the 440 was designed for practical, small-scale transport duties such as postal delivery, utility work, and other municipal or institutional tasks.
The vehicle featured a compact, boxy design focused on maximum interior space within minimal external dimensions. The front had a cab-over layout, allowing for a short wheelbase and excellent maneuverability in tight urban environments. The large, vertical windshield and expansive side windows provided excellent visibility, which was particularly useful for delivery drivers who frequently navigated through busy city streets.
Mechanically, the KVD 440 was based on the running gear of the DAF 44, including its rear-mounted 0.85-litre air-cooled flat-twin engine. The most distinctive feature was the use of DAF’s Variomatic continuously variable transmission. This unique belt-driven CVT system eliminated the need for conventional gear changes, offering seamless acceleration and ease of use—an ideal trait for service vehicles used in frequent stop-start conditions.
The KVD 440’s chassis and suspension were built to handle modest cargo loads. The rear-wheel-drive layout worked in tandem with independent suspension and the de Dion axle derived from DAF’s passenger cars. Though not built for speed or heavy hauling, the vehicle was dependable, efficient, and cost-effective for local transport duties.
Kalmar produced the KVD 440 primarily for the Swedish market, where it was used by various government and municipal agencies, including the Swedish postal service. In the Netherlands, the model had a more limited role but remained notable due to its use of Dutch drivetrain technology. The body was made of lightweight pressed steel, and many variants had side-loading doors or specialized configurations depending on the role they were intended to perform.
The KVD 440 was eventually replaced by the more refined and better-equipped KVD 441, which incorporated a front-mounted engine and other improvements. Despite its somewhat utilitarian and awkward appearance, the KVD 440 became a beloved oddity, known for its durability and surprising practicality.
Today, surviving examples of the DAF Kalmar KVD 440 are rare and mostly found in the hands of collectors and enthusiasts of unusual European utility vehicles. Its unconventional design, unique drivetrain, and specialist role in 1970s service fleets give it a distinct place in the history of small commercial vehicles.