DAF 600
The first DAF car replaced normal gear changes with rubber belts and moving pulleys, so the little sedan could choose its ratio continuously.
1959 DAF 600 — representative for the 1958 debut profile · Alf van Beem · CC0 1.0
Research pending
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More than a set of wheels.
DAF revealed its first passenger car at Amsterdam's AutoRAI in February 1958. Crowds placed 4,000 orders within two weeks, but series production did not begin until March 1959. This page describes the public-debut 600 specification and keeps the 1958 show date separate from the first customer-production date.
Look a little closer.
Because its continuously variable mechanism worked in either direction, early DAFs became famous for being able to reverse surprisingly quickly—even though sensible drivers did not test that trick on public roads.
Photos show an example of the model or generation. The pictured vehicle’s year, equipment, or modifications can differ from the specification described here.
An automatic for ordinary families
Hub van Doorne thought a conventional transmission was too heavy, costly and complicated for a small people's car. DAF therefore made the belt-driven Variomatic standard rather than an expensive option.
Source: DAF · An automatic for the man in the street ↗Show sensation first, production car later
The DAF 600 appeared at AutoRAI in 1958, while the first production example left the assembly line in March 1959. Louwman Museum's surviving prototype number 13 still carries test ballast bags, a reminder that development cars and customer cars are not the same thing.
Source: Louwman Museum · DAF 600 prototype 13 ↗Where these facts come from
- DAF · An automatic for the man in the street
- Louwman Museum · DAF 600 prototype 13
- DAF Museum · DAF 600
- Automobile Catalog · 1958 DAF 600 dimensions
Selected facts checked for this edition. Some source pages link to broader model families. Last reviewed September 30, 2026.