FEATURED - Radford Type 62-2 - AllCarIndex
The British company Harold Radford started making bespoke cars in the late 1940s and build special luxury conversions of Bentley and Mini as well as Aston Martin DB5 Shooting Brake.
To bring back the British coachbuilding legacy and tradition, four gentlemen who need little or no introduction revived the legendary company in 2021. Car designer Mark Stubbs, TV host and well-known car builder Ant Anstead, Formula One World Champion, Jenson Button, and Roger Behle are the key people of the new Radford.
Soon after the first official announcement in March 2021, the company introduced a partnership with Lotus for their first model. Mr. Mark Stubbs then promised:
"Our first car will be totally new and something very special, it will be a Radford, through and through. And that means it will be unique – the body will be sleek and elegant, the interior will be cosseting and luxurious, and the drive will be out of this world. Everything about it will be totally bespoke to Radford."
Initially codenamed 'Project 62', the car was announced in a dark teaser showing a streamlined coupe silhouette. Radford promised that:
"It will be sleek, elegant, and cosseting but not at the expense of driver enjoyment. Created using Lotus technologies, the car will be mechanical, engaging, and poised – a true driver's car. Project 62 will be very distinctive. It will be the world's first modern Radford."
Truth is the newly established Radford was extremely busy throughout the summer of 2021. The reason – preparation for the world premiere of Type 62-2. The glorious day happened to be August 9, 2021, as the company revealed the much-anticipated supercar to the world at the Lyon Air Museum in Orange County, California. The first new Radford got direct inspiration from the Lotus Type 62 of the '60s, however, it uses the most modern Lotus technologies to ensure the best driving experience, mechanical feel, engagement, and uncompromising poise.
The retro-modern Type 62-2 is an eye-catching sculpture. Its powerful stance, low height, and clean lines form a sight to behold. Not only it is a gorgeous creation but also it is a functional design. The car's flat underbody and diffuser provide exceptional downforce, negating the need for a plethora of ungainly aerodynamic appendages, resulting in deliberately simple, smooth-flowing, achingly beautiful lines and a timeless, coachbuilt appearance.
The new Radford coupe was presented in two specs – 'Classic' and ' Gold Leaf'. The latter one is a tribute to Lotus' iconic livery. On the Classic Type 62-2, five-stud 17-inch forged aluminum wheels are fitted at the front and 18-inch wheels at the rear. On the Gold Leaf model, the wheels are two-piece aluminum 18-inch wheels at the front and 19-inch at the rear, with optional period center-lock fixings available to further enhance the car's historic racing style.
The Radford Type 62-2 chassis and body is built from the best quality aluminum and carbon fiber. The car is built around a light aluminum monocoque. Usage of lightweight materials gives a stunning dry weight of less than 1000kg.
Under the hood is a mid-mounted 3.5-liter V6 engine. In the Classic spec, it makes 430bhp while in the Gold Leaf spec it features upgraded pistons, con-rods, camshafts, and uprated electronic mapping to cope with the additional power and torque. In this form, it produces 500bhp.
However, the car is capable of even more since JPS (John Player Special) spec features an upgraded Harrop TVS1900 Supercharger and is calibrated for 600bhp!
Radford Type 62-2 in JPS spec was physically revealed at the Goodwood revival in September 2021. It was announced that 12 bespoke examples of this version will be made with the first deliveries starting sometime in 2022.
It is always interesting to see what Radford company has planned next or what completely individualized customer cars will look like. Stay tuned for further news - we will bring them as soon they become available.
