The 1971 model year starts with a major modification of the DAF 55 coupe variant, which receives new doors replacing the previous frameless ones. Though elegant, the latter had a habit of allowing water into the passenger compartment during rainy days, while noise level at high speeds was equally unacceptable due to the same tendency of the frameless doors to let turbulent air in.
More is to come during the year.
After a dealer option aimed at improving the performances of its 55 has encountered a large success, DAF decides to officially include such a variant in its range. Called Marathon, this model, only available as a saloon, features a more powerful engine (new carburettor and higher compression ratio do the trick), power brakes, wider wheels and a specific exterior decoration. Note that the heavy-duty rear suspension that was proposed by the dealer option is not part of the Marathon’s equipment.
DAF 44
● Introduction: September 1966. Construction: unibody. Engine: air-cooled flat two, 0.85-litre, 40 hp, mounted at the front. Transmission: to the rear wheels through a continuous variable-speed gearbox. Suspension: independent on all four wheels. Brakes: hydraulic, to drums on all four wheels. Length: 385 cm. Top speed: 125 kph. Range: two-door “Comfort” saloon, two-door “Luxe” saloon, two-door “Combi Luxe” estate, two-door “Bestel Luxe” panel van.
DAF 55
● Introduction: September 1966 for the original 44, December 1967 as the 55. Construction: unibody. Engine: water-cooled inline four, 1.1-litre, 50 hp, mounted at the front. Transmission: to the rear wheels through a continuous variable-speed gearbox. Suspension: independent on all four wheels. Brakes: hydraulic, to disks on front wheels, drums on rear wheels. Length: 388 cm. Top speed: 135 kph (saloon and estate) to 140 kph (coupe). Range: two-door “Luxe” saloon, two-door coupe, two-door “Combi” estate, two-door “Bestel” panel van. Note: Launched in 1969, the “Marathon” dealer-installed performance kit remains available in early 1971, until the Marathon becomes a factory model.
DAF 55 Marathon
● Introduction: September 1966 for the original 44, January 1971 as the 55 Marathon. Construction: unibody. Engine: water-cooled inline four, 1.1-litre, 63 hp, mounted at the front. Transmission: to the rear wheels through a continuous variable-speed gearbox. Suspension: independent on all four wheels. Brakes: hydraulic, to disks on front wheels, drums on rear wheels, with servo. Length: 388 cm. Top speed: 145 kph. Range: two-door saloon.
Any mistake you’ve just spotted? A detail to add? A suggestion? Don’t hesitate to leave a comment!
Click to jump to another model year of the same car: 1967 – 1968 – 1969 – 1970 – 1971 – 1972 – 1973 – 1974 – 1975 – 1976 – 1977
Click here to return to a list of all DAF vehicles presented on this blog.
Click here to return to this blog’s initial post, featuring a list of all vehicles already presented.
More is to come during the year.
After a dealer option aimed at improving the performances of its 55 has encountered a large success, DAF decides to officially include such a variant in its range. Called Marathon, this model, only available as a saloon, features a more powerful engine (new carburettor and higher compression ratio do the trick), power brakes, wider wheels and a specific exterior decoration. Note that the heavy-duty rear suspension that was proposed by the dealer option is not part of the Marathon’s equipment.
DAF 44
● Introduction: September 1966. Construction: unibody. Engine: air-cooled flat two, 0.85-litre, 40 hp, mounted at the front. Transmission: to the rear wheels through a continuous variable-speed gearbox. Suspension: independent on all four wheels. Brakes: hydraulic, to drums on all four wheels. Length: 385 cm. Top speed: 125 kph. Range: two-door “Comfort” saloon, two-door “Luxe” saloon, two-door “Combi Luxe” estate, two-door “Bestel Luxe” panel van.
DAF 55
● Introduction: September 1966 for the original 44, December 1967 as the 55. Construction: unibody. Engine: water-cooled inline four, 1.1-litre, 50 hp, mounted at the front. Transmission: to the rear wheels through a continuous variable-speed gearbox. Suspension: independent on all four wheels. Brakes: hydraulic, to disks on front wheels, drums on rear wheels. Length: 388 cm. Top speed: 135 kph (saloon and estate) to 140 kph (coupe). Range: two-door “Luxe” saloon, two-door coupe, two-door “Combi” estate, two-door “Bestel” panel van. Note: Launched in 1969, the “Marathon” dealer-installed performance kit remains available in early 1971, until the Marathon becomes a factory model.
DAF 55 Marathon
● Introduction: September 1966 for the original 44, January 1971 as the 55 Marathon. Construction: unibody. Engine: water-cooled inline four, 1.1-litre, 63 hp, mounted at the front. Transmission: to the rear wheels through a continuous variable-speed gearbox. Suspension: independent on all four wheels. Brakes: hydraulic, to disks on front wheels, drums on rear wheels, with servo. Length: 388 cm. Top speed: 145 kph. Range: two-door saloon.
Any mistake you’ve just spotted? A detail to add? A suggestion? Don’t hesitate to leave a comment!
Click to jump to another model year of the same car: 1967 – 1968 – 1969 – 1970 – 1971 – 1972 – 1973 – 1974 – 1975 – 1976 – 1977
Click here to return to a list of all DAF vehicles presented on this blog.
Click here to return to this blog’s initial post, featuring a list of all vehicles already presented.
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