Calpine (Netherlands) - AllCarIndex

Calpine B.V. was a Dutch automotive manufacturer based in Utrecht, The Netherlands, that operated from 1979 to 1983. The company aimed to produce a sports car that emulated the design of the Alpine-Renault A110 Berlinette, as stated in its promotional materials. However, the body of the Calpine was not derived from the Alpine but was instead molded from the Matra-Bonnet Djet, a competitor in the sports car market.

The Calpine utilized a Volkswagen engine rather than the Renault engine typically found in its Alpine counterpart. It featured a standard length Volkswagen Beetle platform, which required modifications to the Djet body, specifically moving the rear wheels back several inches to accommodate the chassis. This design allowed for true 2+2 seating, distinguishing it from many other sports cars of the time.

Despite its unique features, the Calpine saw limited commercial success, with only a few kit cars sold during its production run. The molds for the Calpine body are still known to exist and are held by a Matra specialist in northern Holland, indicating a lingering interest in the vehicle's design.