Description: In the heart of the 1960s Netherlands, it was impossible not to notice the omnipresence of vehicles produced by the manufacturer DAF. This small utility vehicle, the Besterwagen, a station wagon/combi version (Stationcar) of the DAF Daffodil with Variomatic (a revolutionary transmission that gave it ideal flexibility for frequent stops), efficiently handled deliveries for artisans and national postal services. The Dutch manufacturer Lion Car, founded in 1946 by Arie van Leeuwen and located in Nistelrode, successfully captured this essence under reference 36, a simple and robust model, with dominant colors (red, yellow, green) that were no accident: market research had shown that these were the shades young children gravitated towards first. Finally, Lion Car produced multiple variations from the same molds — body types (sedan, station wagon, pick-up, van), varied colors and decorations, each with its own reference — exactly the method Dinky or Corgi had employed before them. The example offered here is an authentic representative of the civilian version, in its original yellow livery produced between 1966 and 1974. The raw zamac rims are characteristic of an early series / first generation. This version does not have a DAF logo engraved on the hood. It should be noted that all Lion Car DAF models in this series exist with or without the "DAF" engraving on the engine hood. There is a plausible hypothesis, though not yet formally proven, that would explain the existence of these two variants: it was to differentiate models sold through the DAF dealership network from those sold in toy stores. If this hypothesis is correct, it means that the example we are offering here was intended for "retail" distribution rather than the DAF network. The choice of this yellow shade would also confirm this hypothesis. Our model has a beautiful, thick paint finish. We note the presence of a factory paint touch-up and some slight rubbing, mainly on the protruding parts. To conclude, this is a beautiful model, original, uncommon, and offered at a small price. If you haven't already, don't hesitate to start collecting this series: you'll have fun multiplying the variations! Finally, appreciate this old price tag glued under its chassis. Apparently, its journey from the Netherlands to France cost it 150 Francs at one point!