kezo I think the first to use a form of CVT with one rubber belt.
Daf were taken over by Volvo about 1977 with the Volvo 340 actually a Daf (Dutch)design which would have came out as a Daf if they had not been bought over by Volvo. The Daf 44 was ideal for hand controls, as gear was simply back for go forward and forward for reverse (which could go as fast in reverse) and neutral only for when working on the car. I think for when stopped at lights, you took pressure off throttle and used hand break, no creep forward. Small auto’s were hard to find in those days, mostly mini’s or Hillman Imps. Sorry I am digressing, no Smart Cars then.