DAF 33 from 1972 by Sytze. Tangible love. 

Auto Motor Klassiek » Casual meetings » DAF 33 from 1972 by Sytze. Tangible love. 
Purchasing classics there

A little warning beforehand. We are not ashamed of the enthusiasm for the real classic Dutch DAF. And we too make no apologies for getting carried away by the enthusiasm of the owner of this 33 DAF 1972 and his unstoppable inner strength that gave us a good case. 

By: Dirk de Jong

In fact, the owner does not even keep the passion to himself, but shares it enthusiastically with many other enthusiasts. For him, Variomatic is the name of the patient association based on the common ailment and which publishes a magazine four times a year, the DAF Club Nederland. 

How far can love go? 

As far as Sytze's family is concerned, we have to go back to the 60s/70s. His father had a transport company that daily transported the rims for the DAF from the metaalfabriek Prins in Dokkum to Eindhoven/Born. The Frisian company kept the DAF rolling and Sytze still smells the scent of the classic DAF every day through his beautiful red DAF 33 in the garage. That is actually the connection with DAF, with the result that different types were driven by him and the family, a DAF 31, 32, 33. 

Only with two pedals

With the first DAF 32, the decision had already been made to only drive with two pedals. His wife was taught in a DAF 66 that he bought from the driving school owner just before her exam, so it was actually driving in her own car. At that time, you even got an endorsement on your driver's license as an automatic driver. 

DAF 33 (55-27-TK, 1972)

The DAF 33 was delivered new for a lady on Ameland who has owned the car for more than 25 years. In 1998 the DAF was offered due to the death of the owner. The condition of the car was sublime, two small scratches was the entire damage during its life on Ameland. That he slept inside was also a big plus for conservation. Now 25 years later, the classic is still immaculate, with a mileage of only 25.000! 

Beauty prize 

Sytze: “Look at that red painted car, beautiful and sober in line, completely unique to me and I dare to say it: museum quality. Even though my everyday car is 'something' with a star, my love is for the smart poker. It is also pure beauty for me because of its simplicity, doesn't it deserve a beauty prize?”

The key of satisfaction

With this DAF 33 old times come to life, you just feel the life of the past when you drive it. You notice from Sytze that his key to satisfaction lies in his enthusiasm. He speaks with passion when it comes to his classic beauty, you can just tell by the tone in his voice and his demeanor when he talks about his property. It's about happiness, and when it comes to that, there's one thing we can all agree on: You can never have enough.  

Also read:
- DAF 600 (1959) and Continental caravan. Ron's exceptional combination. 
- DAF 55. Dutch glory.
- Kalmar-DAF. A targeted DAF
- The last Dafs
- DAF 55 Coupé (1972) and Graziëlle Caravan of Heino and Joke. A stylish combination.

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8 comments

  1. A few years after my father died, we got my mother to get her driver's license. When she succeeded, she bought a 33. The first time she had visited us with it, she was pulled over by the police on the way home because she was driving without a light. Fortunately, the officers were sensitive to her explanation and told my mother where the button was to turn on the lights and she was allowed to drive the last bit home with the lights on.

  2. It took a very long time before the Netherlands knew what a gem they had in their hands with the DAF. With some minor interventions by Volvo, the DAF suddenly looked much more mature, but by then it was too late. We have had two DAFs at home, but mother did not start because of driving. The small cars have left behind nice memories, there on my father's garden path.

  3. The 33 was not fast, but it was economical with precious fuel and offered a remarkable amount of space, the trunk was even larger than that of a 44, 55 or 66.
    Nevertheless, this model was already on its last legs in 1972, the original 600 from 1959 could still be recognized in it, with fins and all.

    In 1974 the curtain would fall, the 33 and 44 were followed by the 46, which would become the last name bearer of Daf, even after there was already a Volvo 66 and 343. That 46 was not an improvement according to the tests at the time. To meet environmental requirements, the tweaked two-cylinder engine was given an increased speed, so that it no longer had the smooth running of the 33 and 44. And a half Variomatic coupled to the superior rear axle of the 66.

    In the end, only 19 years of passenger cars were made under the Daf brand name, for such a short period of time there are a lot of fans left.

  4. Your driver's license will still have the vending machine endorsement.
    In fact, with that note you are not allowed to drive in a gear…
    No driver's license for the vehicle and therefore also uninsured.

      • Right.
        My mother-in-law also had a 33, which she got along well with. However, when a 55 came to the door, the bear was loose. In any case, I never rode with her again and I don't rule out the possibility that this has ensured that I can still type this.

        Indeed a gem, both this Daf and the Dafs anyway.

  5. The Daf 77 (….Volvo 343, right?) wasn't exactly a 'bitch shaker' anymore and even with variomatic it lasted quite a few years in various versions. The technical developments and insights into fuel consumption in relation to customer wishes and the environment seem to me rather to have put the fudge shakers out of the door. When the 440 series presented itself, that naturally accelerated and softened the farewell. And that resulted in more economical machines than the variomatic. I do share the sadness about the disappearance of the bitch shakers and the genius and effective simplicity of the old guard. Oh…. And how I share that sadness. Close my eyes and I hear the 33, the 44, the 55 etc. It's part of my childhood and I'm attached to it! Sytze's 33 is a picture (!!!)

  6. Rightly proud, what a picture.
    After the takeover by Volvo we did not know how quickly we had to get rid of the “bitch shakers”; hundreds of them were killed in the 'Reversing races' commented by André van Duin….eternally sinful thinking afterwards.

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