Matra

French car manufacturer René Bonnet launched the Djet in June 1962, selling it under his own name. The Djet was the first rear-wheel-drive production car with a mid-engine, the 1,108cc engine from the Renault 8. Later versions featured the more powerful engine from the Renault 8 Gordini. The body was made of fiberglass, which kept both weight and costs down. When Bonnet ran into financial difficulties in 1964, Matra acquired the company in October of that year, as production was already taking place at a Matra factory. Just under 200 units had been built at that point. Under Matra's management, nearly 1,500 more were added until the Djet was succeeded by the Matra 530 in 1967.