Truck And Bus Show Classics: DAF Museum Days October 2015

IMG_0497

Every first weekend of the month October the DAF Museum Days are held in Eindhoven. The main event is at the DAF plant’s premises, at a short distance from the DAF Museum. This year we had pleasant and sunny weather on both days, ideal conditions to enjoy the extensive and varied collection of old and new DAF vehicles.

IMG_0466

We start with a 1955 DAF YA 328-Kronenburg fire truck. The DAF YA 328, a military truck, was introduced in the early fifties and has the famous 6×6 H-drive drivetrain.

IMG_0342

Military fuel tanker, the 4×4 tractor is a 1960-1961 DAF YT 514. It was DAF’s first military vehicle with a diesel engine, a 165 hp 6 cylinder turbo diesel, type DS575.

IMG_0406

Project truck, a 1956 DAF T1500 with a Leyland 0.350 engine and a Fuller transmission. Needs some work…

IMG_0440

…Unlike this fully restored 1957 DAF T1300.

IMG_0405

Two Frog DAFs, before and after a total makeover. On the left a 1970 DAF 1600, on the right a 1967 DAF 1600. Both with a 90 hp engine.

IMG_0338

A 1969 DAF 2200, towing a drawbar trailer. Drawbar trailers with two or three axles are still widely used.

IMG_0359

Originally this was a Swiss combination. Both the truck and the trailer have a three-way tipping system. The truck is a 1964 DAF 2300 with a 183 hp Leyland diesel engine. The trailer was built in 1971 by H. Leisinger Fahrzeugbau.

IMG_0479

16,000 kg GVW for H. Leisinger’s dump trailer (35,000 lbs).

IMG_0484

Last year this black and red rig drove from the Netherlands to China, and back. The tractor is a 1967 DAF 2400 with a 210 hp 11.1 liter diesel engine. The journey took over four months, the full story (in Dutch) is onΒ oldtimer trotters, go to Reisverslag and click on a week number. Lots of pictures of the adventure on each page.

IMG_0487

The DAF has a self-built sleeper compartment (very well done !) and the semi-trailer, a 1953 Coder from France, was converted into a fully furnished camper unit.

IMG_0390

This kind of 4×4 cabover trucks is well suited for construction and municipal use. Equipped with a dump bed and a PTO driven crane, mounted on the truck’s chassis. Versatile and highly maneuverable trucks, this fine example is a 1974 DAF V1600 with a 110 hp diesel engine.

IMG_0347

Wonderful camper conversion on a 1966 DAF Torpedo chassis. Trucks with a wooden body like this were originally used by moving companies and furniture manufacturers. This conventional DAF model, available as a 4×2 truck or tractor, was introduced in 1957.

IMG_0398

Let the good times roll !

IMG_0498

1961 DAF Torpedo flatbed truck. Its payload capacity is 5,400 kg (11,900 lbs).

IMG_0375

Classic DAF bus semi-trailer, now a camper for the Verweij family, towed by a 1973 DAF 2600. Verweij is a loyal DAF customer, this tractor is painted in their bright orange and blue company colors.

IMG_0376

Mr. Frans Slenders, the father of the current owner, travelled across Europe in this truck and trailer combination. One of my favorites of the show, this 1970 DAF 2600 with a 230 hp 11.6 liter diesel engine.

IMG_0399

The trailer, also a DAF product, is rated at a GVW of 25,000 kg (55,000 lbs).

IMG_0384

The Netherlands has a long and rich history of independent bus- and coachbuilders. A truckmaker supplied a rolling bus chassis and the coachbuilder made the body and interior. Above a 1964 DAF bus chassis (with a 100 hp engine) and a body built by Smit Joure.

IMG_0385

The compact bus can seat 24 passengers.

IMG_0510

Not only Cadillac had an Eldorado, the model name was also used by Smit Joure.

IMG_0517

Next is this 1956 DAF chassis with a body from coachbuilder Smit Appingedam. No Smit Joure connection, by the way.

IMG_0499

Seats for 35 passengers and one travel guide.

IMG_0513

Under the engine cover a 83 hp Perkins diesel engine. DAF used Perkins and Leyland diesels before their own engine plant was opened in 1957. As a matter of fact, Leyland is the mother of DAF diesel engines.

IMG_0368

On the left a 1961 city bus. Volvo chassis, ZABO body, DAF engine. The bus on the right is a 1968 DAF with a Domburg body.

IMG_0500

The history of the owner of the splendid DAF-Domburg goes back to 1924; the company’s current name is HAVI Travel.

IMG_0443

A 1966 DAF-Hainje city bus with a 179 hp diesel engine. This bus model was used in cities throughout the whole country.

IMG_0382

Also from 1966, a narrow and compact DAF bus with a Verheul body.

IMG_0386

It drove on the narrow roads and dikes north of Amsterdam.

IMG_0392

The type of truck body we see here is called a tapissière, this one is owned by moving company Saan.

IMG_0389

Chassis by DAF, body by coachbuilder Visser. The 126 hp truck is 40 years old.

IMG_0518

The conventional, heavy-duty N2800 series was introduced in 1980. It was developed primarily for the African market and it was only available as a 6×4 truck or tractor. DAF used the cab of theΒ Magirus-Deutz Eckhauber. Above a 1985 heavy-haulage tractor.

IMG_0477

1981 DAF N2800Β recovery truck, nickname De Buffel (The Buffalo).

IMG_0476

One of the N2800’s co-workers, a 1987 DAF 3600 ATi (Advanced Turbo Intercooling).

IMG_0494

This N2800 tractor had an easy ride; it’s parked on a low bed semi-trailer.

IMG_0452

Typically 6×2 truck- and tractor chassis have a liftable tag axle in Europe.

IMG_0327

The most common big rig configuration in Europe, a 4×2 tractor towing a semi-trailer with three axles and six super single tires. The tractor is a 2012 DAF CF85 with a 460 hp 12.9 liter engine.

IMG_0336

The XF is DAF’s top model, this rig hauls two 20ft shipping containers. The second axle of the truck is also steerable.

IMG_0335

The DAF tows a Pacton trailer. A combination like this has a legal GVWR of 50,000 kg (110,000 lbs) in the Netherlands.

IMG_0501

We end the show with one of the buses that was used to transport the visiters from the DAF Museum to the DAF plant, and vice versa. A 1988 DAF with a Den Oudsten body, an articulated bus with a 261 hp engine. This bright yellow color was used on all public transport buses throughout the country, they surely stood out.