Daf 44

Body shapes:

Sedan
  Stationcar and Van		 Daf 44 met Variomatic - Folder (voorkant)  


"Astonishingly Variomatic quick"

The Daf 44 was a new milestone in the history of DAF passenger cars: it is the first model of the 'B-body' Dafs.

The B-body was DAF's answer to the market demand for a larger car, a truly new model in the DAF model range: the Daf 600, 750, Daffodil 30-31-32 en 33 were all variations on Willem van den Brink's design, the so-called A-body.

The Daf 44 was the first complete design by the Italian master designer Giovanni Michelotti, after he previously restyled the Daffodil 31/32 and Daf 33. You can see his 'Italian hand' in this model: the simple and effective lines with minimal use of chrome ensure an elegant and frivolous appearance.

For DAF, when developing the 44, it was paramount that comfort and economy had to be at a high level, but safety was the most important. For this purpose, the bodywork was reinforced at many points. For comfort, the pleasant front seats and contoured rear seat provided a nice sitting position, but also the spacious doors that made it easier to enter. The engine remained the same: in the front of the Daf 44 was the well-known 2-cylinder 4-takt boxer engine developed by DAF.

Initially, the Daf 44 was released in 1966 as a Sedan, in only one version: De Luxe. In 1967, the station wagon and van were added to the range and a Comfort version was added in 1968. After 8 production years, the Daf 44 was succeeded in 1974 by the last real Daf: the Daf 46.

Daf 44 Sedan

Daf 44 Sedan About 287
remaining in the Netherlands
source: RDW (2023)

Years of construction:    1966 - 1974
Produced:    152.635 (11.678 Standard, 133.687 Luxury and 7.270 Comfort)

Giovanni Michelotti drew a spacious modern car with a stylish business interior. The dashboard is tasteful and provides the driver with all the information. No wonder it came fifth in the 1967 Car of the Year election.

In 1966 the Daf 44 appeared in one version. It had stainless steel strips around the windows, a two-tone interior, chrome details on the dashboard and fresh air outlets on the left and right of the dashboard. A year later in 1967, a stripped-down version followed with a mouse gray interior and lacked the chrome details and optimized ventilation. As a result, the Daf 44 Standard has no ventilation openings in the hood. From 1969 the name of the Standard trim level changed to Comfort. The initial version became 'Luxe': extras such as a steel sliding roof and tires with white side surfaces (white walls) were available as extras on top of the equipment mentioned above.

Measurements

Wheelbase
2.25m

Total length
3.85m

Total width
1.54m

Total height
1.38m

Engine

Type  
2-cylinder 4-stroke boxer

Capacity
844 cm3

Max power 
40 hp at 4500 rotations/min.

Compression ratio 
7.5:1

Performance

Maximum speed 
123 km/hour

Fuel consumption
7 - 8 liter / 100 km

Capacity fuel tank
40 liter

Brochure

 

Daf 44 Stationcar and Van

Daf 44 Stationcar About 17
remaining in the Netherlands
source: RDW (2023)

Years of construction:    1967 t/m 1974
Produced:    15.267 (13.918 Stationcar and 1.349 Van)

The stationcar is a comfortable travel car with plenty of luggage space, especially when the couch is flat. The Van has a flat loading floor with a bulkhead behind the front seats. Michelotti is also responsible for designing this model.

Measurements

Wheelbase
2.25m

Total length
3.85m

Total width
1.54m

Total height
1.38m

Engine

Type  
2-cylinder 4-stroke boxer

Capacity
844 cm3

Max power
40 hp at 4500 rotations/min.

Compression ratio
7.5:1

Performance

Maximum speed 
123 km/hour

Fuel consumption
7 - 8 liter / 100 km

Capacity fuel tank
38 liter

Brochure

<< Previous model

Daf 33

Next model >>

Daf Pony