Radford Type 62-2, the first model from Jenson Button's company, is unveiled

Once their racing careers in the sport they have devoted their lives to come to an end, drivers often embark on sporting and business projects, and a good example is undoubtedly Jenson Button. The British Formula 1 world champion in 2009, who has been away from the sport since 2016, is a restless spirit, and a good sign of this is that he owns his own teams in the GT and Extreme E categories, where he races in the latter, and that he now surprises us with his new vehicle company: Radford.

But first, let’s set the scene, since Radford is not an unfamiliar name in the automotive industry. Back in the late 1940s, Harold Radford founded the coachbuilding company Harold Radford & Co Limited, which managed to carve out a place and a name among manufacturers thanks to works such as converting the Aston Martin DB5 of 1964 into a shooting brake or, along the same lines, the Mini Station Wagon, as well as taking part in creating the prototype of the Ford GT40. Over the years the company was bought by others, until reaching the present day, where Jenson Button is one of the owners of the new Radford.

Now, and following the trend of the latest restomod creations we are witnessing, Radford rises like a phoenix to present its new creation, the Radford Type 62-2, a model that will be sold as a limited edition of just 62 units and that draws its inspiration directly from the Lotus Type 62, in addition to featuring a mid-mounted engine, just as the Lotus Europa did when it was prepared for competition.

Overall, the Radford Type 62-2 has a design that will surely evoke a certain nostalgia, but it also presents itself as a coupé with clear sporting intentions, something we see at first glance thanks to a height of only 1,133 mm and a body very close to the ground. From the front it has large air intakes in its bumper, although undoubtedly the eye will be drawn to the enormous air outlet on the bonnet, flanked on both sides by the LED light cluster.

Whichever way you look at it, the Radford Type 62-2 is a vehicle with clear sporting inspiration, as is evident from the front or the side, where the wheel arches are very pronounced. From the side you will also see a nod to the Ford GT40 in the door design, which extends up to the roof. At the rear, an LED light cluster inspired by the square headlights of the Type 62 sits above a bumper that integrates the twin exhaust outlets and, in the centre, the rear diffuser.

Although Radford has been rather sparing with images, if you look closely at the ones provided, there is a difference in the spoiler. This is because the Radford Type 62-2 will be sold in two versions: the Golden Leaf with racing livery and a rear dominated by a “double duck-tail” spoiler that is not present on the Classic version, which is inspired by the original Type 62 and did not fit that kind of spoiler until it was used in competition. This latter version will also be available in the classic green of the English marque.

The greater aerodynamic downforce provided by these spoilers will not be the only difference between the two versions. For example, the Classic version will use 17-inch forged aluminium wheels at the front axle and 18-inch at the rear, both secured with five lug nuts, whereas the Golden Leaf version will have 18-inch wheels at the front and 19-inch at the rear, with the option of a single central lug nut.

No images of the interior have been offered, but Radford states that despite being a vehicle with a clear sporting focus, it will have all the comforts that make it ideal for daily use or even for trips, thanks to space for two suitcases under the rear cover. Technology makes its way into the Radford Type 62-2 through elements such as cameras that act as rear-view mirrors, an instrument panel comprising a 6-inch TFT screen, WiFi and Bluetooth connectivity, and a five-speaker sound system.

Mechanically, the Radford Type 62-2 will be offered with the 3,500 cc turbocharged V6 of original Toyota engine in two power levels: 430 CV for the Classic version, paired as standard with a six-speed manual gearbox or, optionally, a seven-speed DCT dual-clutch automatic transmission, while the Golden Leaf version will be available with 500 CV and the DCT automatic transmission. In either case, the Type 62-2 will stand out for its excellent power-to-weight ratio, thanks to a dry weight that does not reach 1,000 kilograms.

The price of the Radford Type 62-2 is not yet known, although we will likely learn it soon, as the company plans to begin production at the end of this year and start deliveries in the first quarter of 2022.