DAF Havas Mermaid / Beachcomber

The Havas Mermaid and Beachcomber are creations of Hans van As, owner of garage Havas (deducted from HAns Van AS) in Hilversum. Havas was a DAF dealer and supplied open leisure cars, conversions based on variomatic driven Dafs: Daffodil (Daf 31 and Daf 32), 33, 44, 55 en 66. From a new or used car, the roof and doors were removed and special box-shaped sills welded in that ensured rigidity of the body. A Havas could be sprayed in any color desired by the customer.

Havas received a license from DAF for the conversion. When the passenger car division of DAF was taken over by Volvo in 1975, the license was not renewed and no more 'Havassen' were made. There was also talk of a do-it-yourself conversion kit for an amount of Fl 1580 (approximately € 720), but this never got off the ground due to the withdrawal of the license.
It is not clear exactly how many Dafs with Havas conversion were sold, but in addition to twenty in the Netherlands, dozens were also exported or assembled abroad, such as in France, Belgium, Germany and Austria.

Daf Havas Mermaid

		About 2 remaining in the Netherlands bron: RDW (2023)

Years of production:    1972 - 1975
Produced:    6

The Daf Havas Mermaid is a convertible based on a Daffodil or Daf 33 (so-called A-bodies). Havas received factory homologation from DAF for this conversion, so there were no problems for approval from the National Road Traffic Agency. The customer could leave his/her Daffodil (Daf 31/32) or Daf 33 in Hilversum, where after about 3 weeks and the sum of Fl 2300,- (about €1045,-) the 'Havas Mermaid' was ready. On request, garage Havas was able to supply a second-hand Daf including conversion for Fl 4000 (approximately € 1800).

The conversion consisted of removing the roof, side windows and doors, strengthening the body with a thick sill, lowering the steering column and front seats, and adding a canvas convertible roof with side sails, safety chains, sports steering wheel and wing mirror.

6 Mermaids were made: 3 (including a prototype) based on a Daffodil (Daf 31), 1 converted Daffodil (Daf 32) and 2 based on Dafs 33.

Daf Havas Beachcomber

About 5 remaining in the Netherlands Source: RDW (2023)

Years of production:    1973 - 1975
Produced:    +/- 54 (21 in the Netherlands + 30 in France, 2 in Germany, 1 in Austria)

After Hans van As presented a 'beach car' / convertible based on a Daffodil (Daf 31 and Daf 32) or Daf 33 in the form of the Havas Mermaid, the larger Beachcomber followed in 1973 based on a (used) Daf 44, 55 or 66. It was stripped of its roof and doors, and thick and high sills were made in which 'HAVAS' was stamped for the necessary reinforcement of the body. Optionally, polyester doors with windows could be placed above it. The removable doors can be transported in the spacious trunk, and the safety chains provide replacement protection.

Like the Havas Mermaid, the Havas Beachcomber was intended to be driven open, a real leisure car / beach car: the name is the English word for 'beachcomber'. In less pleasant convertible weather, there was a fabric hood that was secured with press studs, and could be folded onto the trunk in sunny weather.

The conversion to a Daf Havas Beachcomber took about 3 weeks and consisted of removing the roof and doors, strengthening the body with a thick, box-shaped sill, lowering the steering column and front seats, adding a black linen hood with doors and safety chains. Optionally, a sun visor, sports steering wheel, lock on the glove compartment, exterior mirror and metallic paint could be supplied.

After the conversion, a 44, 55 or 66 was about 50 kilos lighter. A re-inspection could be done on this, so that the registration certificate was adjusted to the new weight and the trade name of the vehicle contained 'Havas' from that moment on.

A DAF dealer in Marseille was enthusiastic about the concept of the Beachcomber and, after consultation with Hans van As, started local assembly until production stopped in 1975 because the license was not renewed.