DAF Museum

DAF is one of the best-known names in Dutch industry, and its museum in Eindhoven tells the story of how a small trailer workshop grew into a manufacturer of trucks and cars. The firm was founded in 1928 by the brothers Hub and Wim van Doorne, who began by building trailers in the south of the country. The company's name comes from the initials of Van Doorne's Aanhangwagenfabriek, which means Van Doorne's trailer factory. From those modest beginnings it moved into trucks and then, in the late 1950s, into passenger cars.

The most famous chapter of the car story is the Variomatic, a continuously variable transmission that used belts and pulleys instead of gears. It gave small DAF cars a smooth, automatic drive in an era when automatic gearboxes were rare and expensive, and it became a signature of the brand. DAF cars were sold across Europe, including in rally and racing form, and the passenger car business was later taken over by Volvo in the 1970s. The truck side of the company continued separately, and today DAF trucks are seen on motorways across the continent as part of the American Paccar group.

The museum follows this arc with a collection of vehicles, from early trailers and army trucks to rare prototypes and passenger cars. Visitors can see the evolution of design and engineering, from the boxy lines of the early cars to the more rounded shapes of later models. Photographs, tools, models and period advertising add context, and some of the vehicles can be climbed into, which is a particular draw for children. Staff and volunteers are often knowledgeable and glad to explain details.

Eindhoven offers plenty to combine with a visit. The city grew with the Philips company and still calls itself the city of light, and the Philips Museum covers that story. The Van Abbemuseum shows modern and contemporary art, and the PSV Museum appeals to football fans. In winter, the GLOW festival fills the city centre with light installations.

The museum suits car enthusiasts, families and anyone interested in Dutch engineering history. A visit takes between one and two hours. Check the opening times and ticket details on the museum's website, since arrangements can change, and pair the museum with a walk through the centre.