Description
DAF 46 | 1976
Highlights:
– 0.8-litre air-cooled 2-cylinder boxer engine, petrol, Variomatic automatic transmission
– Distinctive Variomatic drivetrain, giving the DAF 46 equal top speeds in forward and reverse
– Sound underbody, doors, bonnet and boot lid; exempt from Dutch periodic inspection and road tax due to its age
– Sold by a Dutch business seller with matching documentation
The seller offers for sale this 1976 DAF 46, powered by a 0.8-litre air-cooled 2-cylinder boxer engine, paired with a Variomatic automatic transmission. The car presents in a pleasant shade of green and is offered by a Dutch business seller. The interior is tidy, with the durable vinyl (skai) upholstery still in good order and a headlining that presents well. The underbody is described as sound, the doors, bonnet and boot lid all close well, and the paintwork only needs attention here and there. The engine, internally known as the type 4621 unit, starts a little hesitantly from cold but reportedly runs smoothly once warmed through, and maintenance has been kept up to date.
Introduced in 1963 as a lower-priced sibling to the DAF 44 and later positioned alongside the Daffodil in the Dutch market, the DAF 46 carried forward the air-cooled twin-cylinder boxer engine and the belt-driven Variomatic transmission that made the Eindhoven-based DAF factory internationally known. The stepless Variomatic gearbox was ahead of its time, giving the little DAF the unusual ability to reach comparable speeds in reverse as it does going forward, a party trick that still surprises onlookers today. Light, simple and inexpensive to run, the DAF 46 became a familiar sight on Dutch roads and is remembered fondly, not least thanks to the well-known Dutch advertising slogan describing its distinctive gear selector as the clever little joystick.
At just 748 kg, the 844 cc flat-two engine and its 40 hp are enough to give the DAF a lively character for a car of its class, and its distinctive engine note remains one of the model’s most charming traits. The Variomatic system does away with a conventional gearbox altogether, relying on a centrifugal and vacuum-controlled belt system that adjusts continuously to engine speed and load, a genuinely innovative solution for its era. For collectors of Dutch motoring heritage, the DAF 46 remains an accessible and characterful entry point, combining mechanical simplicity with real curiosity value.
Condition of the bodywork & paint
3 — Good. Bodywork or mechanical repairs needed; drives.
Condition of the interior
3 — Good. Bodywork or mechanical repairs needed; drives.
Technical condition
3 — Good. Bodywork or mechanical repairs needed; drives.
Overall condition
3 — Good. Bodywork or mechanical repairs needed; drives.
This item is sold on an as-is basis. The condition of this item is the opinion of the seller and may differ from your own opinion. Photos and descriptions of the listing are for information purposes only.
