The 2026 edition of the ‘Heart For DAF Days’ will be held on October 3 and 4. A must-visit, as you can imagine. I still have some unposted pictures in stock, taken at the previous DAF party weekend. Here’s one last, short factory terrain tour from October 2024. The vehicles appear in chronological order.
1969 DAF T 1800 DF terminal tractor (yard truck) with an Allison automatic transmission. Its jobsite was the Port of Antwerp in Belgium.
A marvelous, 1970 DAF FAS 2605 DKA 425 6×2 flatbed truck with a 250 SAE-hp, 11.6 liter diesel. The 2600-series of long-haul trucks and tractors was introduced in 1962.
The first DAF models with a tilt cab, unveiled in late 1969, clearly followed the design language of the 2600. A fine example is this 1971 DAF FA 1600 DF 420 flatbed truck, owned by the A.G. van Geffen hauling company.
1973 DAF 33 Variomatic with a pop-up camper trailer. The owner arrived at the show just in time, after an extended tour through the Alps and Dolomites with his family of four.
1986 Leyland Roadrunner 10.12 recovery truck. After the 1987 takeover of Leyland Trucks by DAF, these light trucks from the UK lived on for years to come. Initially as the DAF 600/800/1000, later on as the 45/55-series. And note how fresh the Roadrunner’s tilt cab still looks, more than 40 years after its introduction; a remarkable, timeless design.
1992 DAF FT 1900 Turbo Intercooling 4×2 tractor with a day cab.
1993 DAF VD 400 EN double cab pickup/flatbed truck. An evolution of the original, 1974 Leyland Sherpa, loud and clear.
1994 DAF FT 95.500 Super Space Cab 4×2 tractor, a collector’s item for sure. With its 507 DIN-hp, Cummins N14 turbodiesel it was the first DAF that crossed the 500 hp line. It was also the truck maker’s first model with the extra roomy Super Space Cab.
Hop in (and out) for a short impression of the towering DAF & Cummins couple from the mid-nineties.
2008 DAF XF 105.410 FAN 6×2*4 wrecker.
Last but not least, this family portrait of classic DAFs. From left to right: a 1973 FA 2000 DH, 1960 A16 DA, 1965 A16 DD, and a 1985 FAG (6×2/4 truck chassis) 2505 DHS. The red DAF Torpedo (conventional) has a cab made by an independent coachbuilder, whereas the blue Torpedo has the factory cab with the wraparound windshield.
The yard tractor’s rear wiper is standout feature, and necessary for the job. I’m surprised it has no visible brake or electric connectors. Modern yard tractors often have a back door so the driver can connect air hoses and electrics without leaving the truck. Also was the Cummins engine introduced after PACCAR acquired DAF in 96 or before. This is noteworthy as the only US company buying into the European market, as opposed to European companies buying up US truck makers.
The 95.500 was introduced in 1994, so prior to the PACCAR era. Back then, DAF also used Cummins engines in their light models (derived from the Leyland Roadrunner), up to the 5.9 liter six-cylinder.
Curious why DAF needed Cummins. Surely DAF made a similar engine in displacement and HP.
No, not at that time. An 11.6 liter six-cylinder, originating from the Leyland O.680, was DAF’s biggest engine from 1968 to 1997. These days, the largest in-house DAF (and thus PACCAR) engine is the 12.9 liter MX-13, power up to 530 DIN-hp in Europe.
Interesting trucks!
Nice selection of trucks indeed; I never knew St van den Brink had a wrecker (service) at some point – I don’t remember seeing this lovely beast in ’24 either. In any case, I’m already looking forward to this weekend for the ’26 edition.
In the meantime, Van den Brink’s 2008 wrecker has retired, the newcomer is an XF 530 FAS (so with a traditional 6×2 drivetrain). Enjoy the DAF weekend (and the rides in the classic buses)!
Thanks! I will definitely enjoy myself out there and probably come back with a fresh desire to hunt down a 3600 Space Cab.