DAF Volvo BATU Prototype unique 1975 Variomatic conceptcar
DAF Volvo BATU Prototype unique 1975 Variomatic conceptcar
DAF Volvo BATU Prototype unique road legal prototype 1975
This remarkable vehicle represents a unique chapter in the history of DAF and Volvo. The following is only a brief summary of a much larger story that is fully documented. The complete history including original factory documents photographs and drawings is available for inspection in our showroom.
In the early 1970s Volvo President and CEO Per Gyllenhammar returned from a business trip to Indonesia where he recognised the need for a simple multifunctional vehicle that could be maintained and repaired under the most basic conditions. The concept received little support within Volvo and was therefore passed to DAF. At the time Volvo already owned 33 percent of DAF making cooperation between the two companies straightforward. BATU stands for Basis Automotive Transport Unit.
Several prototypes were developed including a remarkable six wheel drive version equipped with the famous Variomatic transmission. One surviving example is now preserved in the DAF Museum in Eindhoven. As international interest in the project increased DAF and Volvo enlisted the British Overseas Vehicle Department to conduct extensive off road testing. One of the conclusions was that the standard DAF two cylinder boxer engine should be replaced by the more powerful DAF four cylinder engine. Unfortunately the British testing company went bankrupt during development and shortly afterwards DAF was fully acquired by Volvo bringing the BATU project to an end.
Of the approximately six prototypes that were built most disappeared over time. Some were scrapped one entered the DAF Museum collection and two were transferred to Budel Airfield where they were used to tow advertising aircraft. The mounting points used for this purpose are still visible in the rear bodywork of this vehicle providing a fascinating reminder of its unique history.
This particular BATU was later rediscovered in a private collection and was identified as one of the Budel Airfield vehicles. Its authenticity has been confirmed by several former members of DAF's development department.
Former DAF engineer Frans Christophe provided unique technical information known only to those directly involved in the project and was able to obtain original Volvo engineering drawings and documentation. Rob Koch formerly of the DAF design department also confirmed the history of this specific prototype as he personally drove it during its time at Budel Airfield. The accompanying documentation includes rare historical photographs of this exact vehicle during its operational life. One of the photographs even shows Frans Christophe standing next to the prototype after it was returned to driving condition in 2024.
One of the most exceptional aspects of this BATU is its official Dutch registration. Thanks to the extensive historical documentation and formal recognition by Volvo the Dutch vehicle authority issued a legal registration for this prototype. As a result it is fully road legal and may even be driven on public motorways. For collectors and enthusiasts this represents an exceptionally rare opportunity to own a genuine piece of DAF and Volvo automotive history.
Mechanically the vehicle retains its original DAF BB110 1108 cc four cylinder engine producing 53 horsepower paired with the famous Variomatic automatic transmission. The drivetrain operates exactly as intended and the vehicle still features many original prototype components familiar to dedicated DAF enthusiasts.
This description is only a brief overview of a much larger story. Extensive documentation engineering drawings reports and historical photographs are available. A selection of these images is included with the advertisement while certain details have been omitted for privacy reasons.
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