Of course the layout looks a bit silly with that engine mounted centrally. But the DAF MC139 was developed in 1938-1939 as a 4-wheel drive 4-wheel steer amphibious vehicle. 4-wheel drive was selectable, and a propeller could be fitted to propel it as a full-fledged amphibious vehicle. It could also be driven from both sides (not at the same time of course - now, that would have been silly).
I think it is an examplary vehicle of the early days of all-wheel drive military vehicles where concepts like 4-wheel steering, bi-directional driving postions and amphibious capabilities were all put into one vehicle to create the supernatural abilities deemed necessary (this vehicle should have been named after Eugene the Jeep like so many other off-road vehicles). Today we would call this a technology demonstrator.
Its intended role was reconnaissance car. But probably because the Dutch government would find it too expensive (they always do), only one prototype was built. The prototype disappeared without a trace during the German occupation.
Front view:
Rear view:
The Dutch defence strategy relied heavily on the age-old method of inundation and most equipment was tested to see if it the could overcome these water obstacles. Thus the MC139 was tested on the frozen IJssel river in the winter of 1940 and "performed excellently". It is nice to see it was featured in a newspaper on the other side of the globe.
See a short video of the MC139 being tested here:
https://www.openbeelden.nl/media/657233
Technical data:
Engine: Citroën Traction Avant 7S, 4 cylinder 1911 c.c. 48 hp.
Wheelbase 2500 mm.
Overall length 3500 mm.
Note the MC139 was fitted with the so-called Pilot wheels from the Citroën Traction Avant
