Cars and coffee, Øvrevoll gallop

Øvrevoll, Sunday 8 July 2018

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Volvo PC 544 Sport and DAF 66 Coupé on Swedish plates.

Variomatic on tour

On my way up Vollsveien from Lysaker I ended up behind a tundra green DAF 66. Through the open sunroof I could hear the characteristic whine of the Variomatic. DAF had automatic transmission as standard. The world's first CVT transmission. But unlike today's steel belts, DAF had a different material in the belts. The same type of conveyor belts that we find in small industrial machines and in agriculture. The squealing of the two belts made the Swedes call DAF Remjohan. I have no idea why. But it was often driven by a kind uncle whose name might have been Johan, Gustaf, Albert or something like that?

When the DAF arrived in Øvrevoll this Sunday, there was already a yellow DAF 66 Coupé there with Swedish plates. Now I haven't seen a DAF passenger car for many years, and suddenly I see two!

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DAF 66 Coupe.
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DAF 66. This is an early 1975 model. In the autumn of the same year, the Volvo 66 was introduced. The same car with Volvo's then-typical sloping strip in the grill. Anyway, I always think Volvo when I see this grill.
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Time-typical shape and color (Toendra groen). Variomatic was the forerunner of today's CVT gearbox. The DAF 66 was the only model that offered an automatic transmission in an affordable car.

 

K70

I realize how important it is that someone takes care of practical cars like DAF. I am attaching photos of another classic that often stops by Cars and coffee at Øvrevoll Galopp. The Volkswagen K70 was the model that would take over the mid-range market after the air-cooled Volkswagen 411 and 412. Originally, the K70 was developed as an NSU and the K70 was supposed to indicate 70 horsepower. But the model ended up with 75 horses in a water-cooled 1600 engine and front-wheel drive. Despite the fact that the K70 was a modern car, both in terms of technology and design, it never became very popular in Norway. Those who drove air-cooled cars were not ready for the K70, which was probably two car generations after the 411 and 412. If the K70 was to catch on, it had to take customers from other brands. Customers who preferred front-wheel drive at a time when front-wheel drive was reserved for cars such as Audi, Citroën, Renault and Saab. The K70 was simply ahead of its time.

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Originally an NSU but was rebadged to Volkswagen when they bought NSU. Few cars from the early 70s have remained so modern over time.
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The interior of the Volkswagen K70.
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Porsche Yellowbird CTR – Porsche Turbo tuned by RUF. Behind, Porsche 914 and Alfa Romeo 2000 GT.

 

Alfa Romeo 2000 GT Veloce

Alfa Romeo never became a regular fixture on Norwegian roads in the 70s. Unlike the more popular classics such as the DAF 66 and Volkswagen K70, I think few knew anyone who drove an Alfa Romeo in the 70s. The pictured 2000 GT Veloce is a type of car seen in pictures from Europe's big cities. They are stunningly beautiful, not least seen through the eyes of today.

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Alfa Romeo 2000GT
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Alfa Romeo 2000GT

2000 gt

 

260Z

The 260Z was the successor to the 240Z, the first model in the Z series – Datsun/Nissan's legendary sports car range. This 260Z often features on Cars and Coffee. It is made in black - completely black. I find it difficult to choose a favorite model among all the Z models. It amazes me how well the design of the 240Z and 260Z has stood the test of time. They look just like a classic sports car should.

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Datsun 260Z. The successor to the successful 240Z. Became super popular in the US.
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The interior of the 260Z.

 

British sports cars. Click on the images to see them in a larger format.

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Honda NSX.

 

See

Cars and Coffee at Øvrevoll
Cars and Coffee at Øvrevoll.
Cars and Coffee at Øvrevoll
From Ferrari to Cressida.
Cars and Coffee at Øvrevoll
Cars & Coffee, Øvrevoll

 

Terje Bjørnstad. Blog administrator, hobby photographer and car enthusiast.

Comments

  1. You mean that K70 was two generations AFTER, not before 411 and 412? Incidentally, K stood for "Kolben". Certainly to distinguish it from NSU's faltering venture. There was an NSU engine in the K70. Very recognizable with its clip caps over the valve adjustments. The K70 was actually an easy-to-drive and decent car at the time.

    1. Oh, yes, it should be "after". Fixed in the article now. Thanks! Have good memories of the K70 - but only as a passenger.

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