Retro Radford Type 62-2 makes debut

Reborn British coachbuilder, Radford, has revealed the Type 62-2 that will spearhead its revival – a reimagined version of the 1969 Lotus Type 62 racer based on modern mechanicals.

Marking its first car in more than half a century, the Radford brand was brought back from the dead by ex-Formula 1 world champ Jenson Button with help from TV presenter Ant Anstead and designer Mark Stubbs.

Confirming it would make just 62 examples of the 2022 Radford Type 62-2, the company has announced that each car will be individually personalised to the owner's tastes.

Rumoured to be priced from $US500,000 ($A680,000) plus local taxes, Radford says it will make three versions of its Type 62-2.

The first is Classic that has been created for purists. That explains why the most basic Radford Type 62-2 gets a six-speed manual gearbox, although power is limited to 321kW.

The next option is the Radford Type 62-2 Gold Leaf, which wears the same red and white livery as the 1968 Lotus Type 49B F1 racer that was driven by British racer Graham Hill.

Opt for the Gold Leaf and power is wound up to a more muscular 375kW, although the manual is switched out for a faster-shifting seven-speed dual-clutch transmission.

Finally, if that's not enough you'll have to wait for the 'JPS' version that will come later and bumps power up to a maximum 450kW.

The flagship Radford supercar also sports the iconic black and gold John Player Special livery in honour of Emmerson Fittipaldi's championship-winning Lotus Type 72D F1 car.

Based on a stretched version of the same bonded aluminium chassis as the Lotus Evora, the Radford Type 62-2 should be a joy to drive.

Keeping weight down to an absolute minimum, the Classic, Gold Leaf and JPS all feature a body made of carbon-fibre.

Catering for those who will drive the Radford fast on track, the Type 62-2 gets a new rollover hoop and a strengthened firewall and windscreen. A further custom-made tubular rear subframe is also said to improve protection and rigidity.

Weighing in at around 1000kg, Radford has not released performance figures but it's thought the JPS will sprint from 0-100km/h in around 3.5 seconds.

Despite its retro looks, the Type 62-2's design is claimed to incorporate some clever air bending. This includes a completely flat floor and a large rear diffuser that, in the case of the Classic, sees it do without a rear spoiler, such is the level of downforce.

The more powerful Gold Leaf and JPS, meanwhile, sprout a pair of period-correct small duckbill spoilers.

As standard, the Classic variant wears a set of staggered forged alloy wheels that are 17-inch up front and 18-inch at the rear. The 375kW Gold Leaf has 18s up front and 19s at the rear.

Sitting on adjustable coil-over suspension and Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2 tyres, even the most basic version gets a set of four-pot AP racing callipers and steel discs.

Unusually for a small car-maker, Radford has teamed up with Bosch to create an electronic stability program.

Helping hone the handling of all three cars was Jenson Button, who also calibrated special motorsport-derived traction control and ABS systems.

If you're wondering how Radford extracted the extra power from the Toyota-sourced supercharged 3.5-litre V6, engineers added stronger con-rods, new pistons, more aggressive camshafts, plus a remapped ECU.

All versions also get a freer-flowing full titanium exhaust.

Differentiating itself from the lesser versions, the 450kW JPS model gets the same chassis tune as the Gold Leaf but features carbon-composite rims, monobloc callipers and carbon-ceramic brakes.

To boost its on-track abilities, there's a large aero kit that adds a more prominent front splitter and an enlarged rear diffuser.

Radford says it wants owners to drive their Type 62-2 on a daily basis, and will offer it with an optional nose lift to help it clear speed bumps and steep driveways.

As standard, there's a 6.0-inch digital instrument cluster that is configurable and includes a data logger to record your on-track action.

Rear-view cameras replace traditional door mirrors and there's even a standard five-speaker stereo.

Options include a bespoke luggage set that has been designed to use all the available space under the front bonnet. Radford said it will also work with customers to create their dream car when it comes to paint colours, finishers and even alterations to the car's body.

Radford co-founder Button 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. Type 62-2 is a driver's car at its heart. When you see the design, it looks just like a ’70s Le Mans car. 

“When you sit behind the steering wheel and look through the curved windscreen, you can see the front wheel-arches – something you just don’t experience on road cars today. With such a low centre of gravity, the car’s body doesn’t roll.

"The chassis exhibits all the hallmarks of a beautifully set-up race car for the road, gifting the driver supreme confidence to extract maximum enjoyment every journey,” he said. 

Production at Radford's new manufacturing base in California is expected to commence in late 2021 ahead of first customer deliveries that are expected to begin early 2022.