After having been involved in several French artisan companies (Alta, Sera, Arista, Sovam), Jaques Durand decided in 1969 to use his initials, Jidé, for a new brand of sports cars, with a decidedly racing imprint. The mechanics were derived from Renault and the Jidé adopted the architecture of the central engine. The customer could choose between a pre-assembled car and the kit to be assembled. In terms of engines, the choice was possible between the 1100 of the R8, the 1300 of the R8 Gordini or the R12, or the 1600 of the R16 with different power options. There were about 120 Jide specimens produced between 1969 and 1982.