Radford unveils the first of its modern projects, a Lotus Type 62 restomod featuring a Jenson Button chassis tuning.
Harold Radford planted the company’s seeds in 1948, while its first project, the Bentley Countryman, was unveiled at the London Auto Show in 1951, detailing a bespoke and opulent version of the Bentley estate. After receiving praises from the media and the industry, Radford created more coach builds like a shooting-brake version of the Aston Martin DBS, the Stirling Moss Cortina GT concept, and last but not least, a flurry of luxurious Minis. Sadly, the company went into voluntary liquidation in the 70s and slowly faded away until it received a new lease of life.
However, former TV Presenter and host Ant Anstead teamed up with renowned car designer Mark Stubbs, 2009 F1 champion Jenson Button, & ex-rock band member/lawyer Roger Behle to revive the coachbuilding business. Its first comeback project involves a bespoke restomod of the Lotus Type 62 in collaboration with Lotus itself, deploying the “latest technologies to deliver the purest possible driving experience.”
The full details haven’t been disclosed yet, but the good news is that the restomod will get the 3.5-liter supercharged V6 engine from the Exige and Emira. Radford will also offer the Lotus Type 62-2 in three different configurations — Classic, Gold Leaf, & JPS. The Classic will be equipped with a 430hp V6 and a manual transmission, the Gold Leaf will produce 500 hp and feature a 7-speed DCT, and the top-of-the-line JPS will get an upgraded supercharger, dialing up the power figures to a manic 600hp!
That’s not all, though. Radford reserved a similar focus for the exterior, featuring modern touches, including twin ducktail spoilers, 18/19’ center-lock wheels on the Gold Leaf, plus a bespoke aero kit, carbon wheels, and uprated brakes for the JPS. Each Type 62-2 will also be fitted with the same underpinnings as the original car but re-engineered using a bonded and riveted aluminum chassis along with carbon composite panels. Furthermore, there are no driver assistance systems of any kind—a proper drivers’ car indeed.
Still unsure? What if we were to say that Jenson Button himself is the man honing the car’s driving dynamics behind the scenes. He said, “Creating a car that is simultaneously luxurious and comfortable, and great to drive, is a tough challenge, but the first Radford of the modern era delivers.”
The Radford Type 62-2 is currently undergoing testing at its home base in California, and deliveries are expected to commence by early 2022.
