Arno Naethuys, DAF Museum volunteer
"A labour of love"
For 25 years now, Arno has been ready to get started at 7.30 a.m. Every day of the week. Because the moment the doors are unlocked, Arno is in his second home: the DAF Museum. So what does he do? Polish! But only the trucks! ‘I do it for the visitors so that they can be as enthusiastic about them as I am.’
Before he became a volunteer at the museum, Arno enjoyed a terrific career at Rendac. He was only twenty years old when he started working as a driver at the meat waste processing plant in Son. His first truck was the Kikker DAF. However, Arno could only call himself a genuine DAF fan after he was allowed to drive his all-time favourite: the DAF 2600! ‘The king of the road,’ he says. ‘At the time, the 2600 was very popular. Excellent visibility, perfect gear shifting and trouble-free.’ When the wonderful 2600 came to the end of its lifespan, Arno began driving a four-axle DAF 3300. ‘Also an amazing truck, but then all of the DAFs I’ve driven were great.’ When Arno started to get on in years, his driving became confined to the company’s premises. His last truck was a 1997 XF.
In 1999, after forty years of faithful service, Arno retired to enjoy his well-earned pension. A week earlier, however, his old DAF truck at Rendac had been brought to the DAF Museum and Arno just knew he had to go there too. ‘My last day at work was a Friday and I started as a volunteer the following week.’ Luckily
for Arno, the museum also has a DAF 2600 in its collection. It is his absolute favourite and he still carries the keys to one around in his pocket. So, how long will
he continue working? ‘Until I’m not able to anymore!’
