F1's Jenson Button rescues Radford

Famous British coachbuilder Radford has been revived, thanks to investment from former F1 world champ Jenson Button and TV presenter Ant Anstead.

Founded in the late 1940s by Harold Radford, the British coachbuilder first established itself offering bespoke bodies and interiors for Rolls-Royce and Bentley models.

Some of the revisions offered to wealthy buyers included an on-board cocktail cabinet, electric shaver, ice box and kettle, plus seats that fold flat into a double bed.

In the 1960s, Radford moved on to creating luxurious coach-built versions of the then-new Mini, a move that won it fans by all four members of The Beatles and rock god Eric Clapton.

The resulting Radford Grande Luxe Mini de Ville introduced a full-length sliding sunroof, a more imposing radiator grille, fancy electric windows, a wooden steering wheel, leather interior, deep-pile carpets and walnut dash that all looked lifted from a Rolls-Royce.

Radford said it has already begun working on a new coachbuilding project with fellow investor and ex-GM and Bugatti designer Mark Stubbs.

Commenting on the chance to resurrect Radford, Button said: "To be able to help revive this iconic name is such a special and unique opportunity. The Radford brand carries such prestige and magnetism for anyone with an appreciation of cars. 

"The work that Harold Radford and his team were responsible for in the mid-1900s is simply incredible, so I jumped at the chance to join Ant and Mark in their quest to put the Radford name back in lights.

"The journey has very much begun, and news of our first car will follow shortly so watch this space."