Myth Buster
Debunking the most common old wives’ tales
DAF/ Volvo 66
1 A SNAPPED CVT BELT WOULD DISABLE THE CAR
Would a snapped belt disable a DAF 66 Variomatic (a type of Continuously Variable Transmission) or the later Volvo version? No. Because unlike the contemporary DAF 46, which had just a single belt fitted, the 66s incorporated a pair of belts. So, if one gave way, it wouldn’t disable the car.
2 IT WASN’T AS FAST IN REVERSE AS IT WAS GOING FORWARDS
Famously, Variomatic DAFs were just as quick in reverse as they were going forward – just visit YouTube for some of their wonderfully chaotic backwards racing antics. But the 66 had a redesigned system, with a De Dion tube axle and a differential, leading some to believe that it lost this unique and bizarre attribute. Actually, it didn’t – you can drive a 66 in reverse at 85mph. Although you would have to be insane to do so. And would probably crash.
3 YOU COULDN’T CHANGE GEAR WITH THE CHOKE OUT
True enough on the DAF 66 and earlier cars, where a fast idle would cause the centrifugal clutch to engage. But Volvo fitted a declutching servo that got around this, thus making its reworked incarnation of the 66 somewhat easier to drive when cold.
4 IT WAS THE FINAL DAF-BADGED CAR
The DAF 66 became the Volvo 66 during summer 1975. But this wasn’t actually the end of the Dutch marque’s name on cars, for the two-cylinder 46 persisted until 1976 under its old maker’s badge. It is true to say that the 66 was the last four-cylinder DAF, however.