The DAF 33 Buggy was a rare and playful variant of the standard DAF 33, reimagined as a beach or leisure vehicle. Like other similar buggies of the 1960s and 70s—such as the Volkswagen-based dune buggies—the DAF 33 Buggy was created in small numbers, often by independent coachbuilders or as custom projects, rather than being a factory-standard DAF product.
Based on the mechanical platform of the DAF 33, it retained the car’s signature engineering: a 746 cc air-cooled flat-twin engine and the unique Variomatic continuously variable transmission. This drivetrain combination made the buggy very easy to operate, with smooth, clutchless acceleration, ideal for casual, fun driving.
The buggy’s bodywork was completely different from the original saloon design of the DAF 33. It featured an open-body layout with no roof, doors, or side windows, often made of fibreglass or lightweight metal. Seating was minimal and waterproof, usually for two or four occupants. Many examples included roll bars, custom lighting, and off-road tyres, giving them a rugged appearance despite the modest power output.
Most DAF 33 Buggies were built as one-off customs or low-volume conversions, sometimes for promotional purposes or as experimental leisure vehicles. They were not mass-produced by DAF itself, though DAF was aware of the trend and sometimes showcased them at events or in marketing to demonstrate the versatility of their mechanical systems.
Because of the Variomatic transmission, the DAF 33 Buggy had the unusual ability to travel just as fast in reverse as forward, which became something of a quirky selling point. While not suited to serious off-road use due to limited ground clearance and power, the buggy’s light weight and rear-wheel-drive layout made it surprisingly nimble on beaches, grass, and gravel tracks.
Today, surviving examples of the DAF 33 Buggy are exceedingly rare and are typically found in the hands of collectors or museums. They are appreciated as a fun and unconventional piece of automotive history, combining Dutch engineering with the free-spirited design trends of the 1960s leisure car boom.