In 1958, the Netherlands became acquainted with a sensational Volkswagen car. After 3 years of development, the Daf 600 is presented at the AutoRAI of 1958. It was a sensation: a spacious and affordable family car with a variomatic drive from Dutch soil. A year after the presentation at the AutoRAI, in 1959, production of the Daf 600 was started and the model would be sold until 1963.
The Daf 600 was characterized by good aerodynamic properties for that time, and a lot of space: the passenger(s) had to be able to sit in the car with a hat on. The interior with a dashboard with clock and speedometer was simple in design. Some external features are the high roof, the rear lights in one color with the fuel cap below on the right and a 'dummy cap' on the left for symmetry, the 12-inch wheels with diagonal tires and the direction indicators in the door style, the so-called 'ears' that indicate the first type 600 features.
In 1960, the second type 600 came on the market, with traditional indicators under the enlarged headlights and a different shape of taillights. The license plate light bulbs moved from the trunk lid to either side of the license plate. Internally, the type designation of the second type 600 was 'Daf 22', after the number of SAE horsepower delivered by the 2-cylinder boxer engine.
The model range was expanded in 1961 with the Pick-up, which could be supplied with a hood as an extra. In the same year, the 750 model appeared, from which the Daf 600 took over some external features in order to go through life as the 3rd type. A Daf 600 3rd type has a chromed edge around the grille, the license plate is slightly recessed on a curved back plate. The fuel cap is next to the license plate, the 'dummy cap' disappeared.
The Daf 600 is the basis of the A-type: a 4-person vehicle with an
air-cooled 2-cylinder boxer engine developed by DAF in the front. This A-type was further developed until the end of production of the
Daf 33 in 1974.