Daf 55

Body shapes and versions:

55 Sedan
55 Station wagon and Van
55 Coupe
55 Marathon (sedan/station wagon)
55 Coupe Marathon
 Daf 55 Coupé (1e type) - Folder afbeelding  


"The efficient Daf 55 / the luxurious Daf 55 / the elegant Daf 55 / the perfect Daf 55 / the spacious Daf 55"

The Daf 55 was developed to expand the model range and attract a wider audience of buyers. It is a model based on the Daf 44, because developing a completely new model would take too much investment and time. The big news, in addition to the changed appearance compared to the 44, is the engine: for the first time, the air-cooled 2-cylinder boxer engine developed by DAF inhouse was not placed in the front, but a Cléon-Fonte water-cooled 4-cylinder in-line engine with 1100 cc purchased from Renault. A motorist driving behind a Daf 55 is made clear what he sees in front of him: on the rear window of every 55, a large sticker reads 'DAF 55 1100cc automatic/variomatic'.

The Daf 55 has a suspension with torsion bars and disc brakes at the front, reversing lights and a radiator placed in front of the engine that provided a different front; properties that the Daf 44 does not have. The interior is more luxurious with double clocks on the dashboard and a box with storage space on both sides of the dashboard.

Launched as a Sedan in 1967, the 55 Estate followed a year later and in 1968 the 55 Coupe, which differed from the other variants from the smaller windscreen due to the sloping, slim roofline.

Following DAF's successes in the London-Sydney Marathon and Marathon de la Route, DAF is releasing an optional Marathon boost set. The engine has been tuned up with different ignition, carburetion and camshaft. At the latest, a 55 with Marathon package will have 13" alloy wheels on wide tyres, a different exhaust, rev counter and leather-covered steering wheel. The package can be ordered and mounted at an authorized DAF dealer who can attach the Marathon emblems to the body. From 1971 a modified Marathon package will be available factory-fitted.

There are two types of Daf 55. The 1st type (1967 to 1969) can be recognized by fine-meshed cooling holes above the front bumper, the extra chrome strip in the grille and the upright emblem '55', orange flashing lights at the front and the writing letters 'daf ' on the hood and stern. The second type (1969 to 1972) has 16 cooling holes above the front bumper, a plastic strip as a grille with two stripes and silver print "DAF 55", which you also see at the back combined with the plate "Variomatic". From 1971 the orange flashing light glasses at the front were replaced by white ones.Late Dafs 55 have a new plate clutch, which engaged more smoothly than the earlier cleat clutch, an important novelty for the successor Daf 66.

Daf 55 Sedan

Daf 55 Sedan (1e type, Kobina) About 260
remaining in the Netherlands
source: RDW (2023)

Years of construction:    1967 - 1972
Produced:    111.906

This is the strong brother of the Daf 44 equipped with the 1100 cc Renault Cléon-Fonte engine. The Sedan has one trim level 'Luxe' which is slightly more complete than the Daf 44 Luxe. The interior is very luxurious with a lockable glove box, effectively adjustable heating with blower, tray on the center console and a dashboard with 2 clocks. The Daf 55 is available in 10 body colors (the colors below are a combination of type 1 and type 2 and paint colors applied to discontinued models) and 4 interior tones.

Measurements

Wheelbase
2.25m

Total length
3.88m

Total width
1.54m

Total height
1.38m

Engine

Type  
4-cylinder 4-stroke in-line

Capacity
1108 cm3

Max power 
50 hp at 5000 rotations/min.

Compression ratio
8.5:1

Performance

Maximum speed 
136 km/hour

Fuel consumption
7,5 - 9 liter / 100 km

Capacity fuel tank
38 liter

Brochure

 

Daf 55 Station wagon and Van

Daf 55 Stationcar (2e type, Kobina) About 21  Station wagon and 3 Van
remaining in the Netherlands
source: RDW (2023)

Version: De Luxe
Years of construction:    1968 - 1972
Produced:    19.144 Station wagon and 1.174 Van

The station wagon gives much more storage space with the same luxurious appearance as the sedan, with a spacious rear seat that gives a lot of luggage space when folded down. Because the rear window is further away from the driver, and the station wagon can be loaded more, it has a mirror with a longer foot to have a good view of the traffic behind.

The 55 Van became available from 1969 with the introduction of the 2nd type Daf 55. This model has a low partition wall between the front seats and no rear seat, but a continuous, two-part wooden loading floor. Luxury options such as a sliding roof or sleeping seats are missing in this commercial vehicle.

Measurements

Wheelbase
2.25m

Total length
3.88m

Total width
1.54m

Total height
1.38m

Motor

Type  
4-cylinder 4-stroke in-line

Capacity
1108 cm3

Max power 
50 hp at 5000 rotations/min.

Compression ratio
8.5:1

Performance

Maximum speed 
136 km/hour

Fuel consumption
7,5 - 9 liter / 100 km

Capacity fuel tank
38 liter

Brochure

 

Daf 55 Coupe

Daf 55 coupé (1e type, Rolita) About 241
remaining in the Netherlands
source: RDW (2023)

Years of construction:    1968 - 1972
Produced:    21.039

For many, this is the most beautiful DAF that Giovanni Michelotti has designed, with its slim low roofline. The seats are lower in the car for a sporty driving feel. Due to the sporty roofline, there is room for 2 children in the back: it is a real 2+2 coupe. The interior exudes even more luxury than the Sedan thanks to the wood grain finish of the dashboard, door panels with armrests, carpet on the floor, and perforated artificial leather (skai, only in the 1st type) upholstered bucket seats. The 2nd type 55 coupé has fabric 'sleeping seats'. Technically, the 55 Coupé is the same as the 55 Sedan.

Measurements

Wheelbase
2.25m

Total length
3.88m

Total width
1.54m

Total height
1.31m

Engine

Type  
4-cylinder 4-stroke in-line

Capacity
1108 cm3

Max power 
50 hp at 5000 rotations./min.

Compression ratio
8.5:1

Performance

Maximum speed
140 km/hour

Fuel consumption
7,5 - 9 liter / 100 km

Capacity fuel tank
38 liter

Brochure

Daf 55 Marathon (sedan)

Daf 55 Marathon sedan (2e type, Mostana) About 32
remaining in the Netherlands
source: RDW (2023)

Years of construction:    1971 - 1972
Produced:    9.176

From 1971 the tuning set is available factory-fitted as a Marathon version. The 55 Marathon has a centrally placed sports exhaust and 13” wheels with black hubcaps. Externally, the car gets a double marathon stripe and Marathon logos. In the interior, the carpet on the floor and the comfortable, fabric-covered sleeping seats stand out. The steering wheel has a finish flag as the central logo. With a top speed of 145 km/h,  at that time it left many other cars behind.

Measurements

Wheelbase
2.25m

Total length
3.88m

Total width
1.54m

Total height
1.38m

Engine

Type  
4-cylinder 4-stroke in-line

Capacity
1108 cm3

Max power 
63 hp SAE / 5600 rotations/min.

Compression ratio 
10:1

Performance

Maximum speed 
145 km/uur

Fuel consumption
9 - 11,5 liter / 100 km

Capacity fuel tank
38 liter

Brochure

 

Daf 55 Coupe Marathon

Daf 55 Marathon Coupé (2e type, Nationa) About 31
remaining in the Netherlands
source: RDW (2023)

Years of construction:    1971 - 1972
Produced:    1.791

From October 1971, the Coupe is also available ex works in the Marathon version. With the tuned engine it is a racing monster. The 13" rims with black hubcaps, sports exhaust, Marathon striping and emblems take account for its appearance. In the interior, the steering wheel has the finish flag as a central point. With a top speed of 145 - 150 km/h this thing's on fire.

Measurements

Wheelbase
2.25m

Total length
3.88m

Total width
1.54m

Total height
1.31m

Engine

Type  
4-cylinder 4-stroke in-line

Capacity
1108 cm3

Max speed 
63 hp SAE / 5600 rotations/min.

Compression ratio
10:1

Performance

Maximum speed
145 - 150 km/hour

Fuel consumption
9 - 11,5 liter / 100 km

Capacity fuel tank
38 liter

Brochure

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