DAF 66 Marathon Coupe
The DAF 66 Marathon Coupe represents the pinnacle of DAF's car-building ambitions and the end of an era in Dutch automotive manufacturing. By the time the 66 was introduced in 1972, Volvo had acquired DAF's car division, and the 66 was effectively the last car to bear the DAF name before being rebadged as the Volvo 66. The Marathon Coupe variant was the sportiest expression of this final DAF model.
The 66 received a Volvo-sourced 1,289 cc four-cylinder engine producing 63 horsepower, a worthwhile improvement over the DAF 55's smaller Renault unit. The engine was refined and willing, providing adequate performance for the car's compact dimensions. Combined with the Variomatic CVT transmission, the drivetrain was remarkably smooth and easy to operate.
The most significant engineering advancement in the 66 was the adoption of a De Dion rear suspension system, replacing the swing axle arrangement used in earlier DAFs. The De Dion tube connected the rear wheels while allowing them to maintain a more consistent camber angle during suspension travel. This dramatically improved the 66's handling compared to its predecessors, eliminating the unpredictable behavior of the swing axle at the limit.
The Marathon Coupe body was an attractive two-door design by Michelotti, the Italian styling house that had long worked with DAF. The sloping rear roofline, clean proportions, and integrated bumpers created a purposeful appearance that was appealing by the standards of the early 1970s European compact car market. The Marathon variant added sport stripes, alloy-style wheel trims, and a slightly firmer suspension setup.
The coupe body was relatively rare within the DAF 66 range, with most 66s produced as sedans or estate cars. This rarity, combined with the Marathon specification and the model's significance as the last DAF car, makes the 66 Marathon Coupe one of the most collectible Dutch-built cars of the 1970s.
The transition from DAF to Volvo branding occurred during the 66's production life, with later cars carrying Volvo 66 badges. This overlap makes the genuine DAF-badged 66 Marathon Coupe particularly desirable, as it represents the final expression of DAF's independent automotive identity.
The DAF 66 Marathon Coupe is a charming, technically interesting classic that tells an important story about the European automotive industry's consolidation during the 1970s. Its combination of Dutch engineering, Italian styling, Swedish components, and pioneering CVT technology makes it a uniquely multinational creation.
Rarer than the DAF 55 and more desirable. Same Variomatic belt concerns apply. De Dion rear is more complex but handles better than the swing axle. Body rust is endemic. The Volvo-sourced engine has good parts availability. DAF-badged examples are more valuable than subsequent Volvo 66 versions.
The DAF 66 was produced from 1972 to 1975, after which it was rebadged as the Volvo 66. The Marathon Coupe was the rarest body variant. Production took place at DAF's Born factory.