The newly revived Coachbuilder, Radford recently presented the Type 62-2; a Sports Coupe inspired by the racing Lotus Type 62 from the ‘60s.
Overview
Radford Motors, now based in California is reviving the name of the little-known British brand and is bringing it back to the modern automotive scene. They have now shown their very first car, which incorporates Lotus' hallmark traits and technologies.
The History of Radford Motors
But, who exactly was Radford? In essence, it was a British firm formed by Harold Radford back in 1948, which coincidently was also the same year that Colin Chapman founded Lotus.
Radford is a name with pedigree. In the 1960s, the firm produced 12 Shooting Brake Copies of the Aston Martin DB5, two prototypes based on the Ogle Cortina GT, and a few Radford Minis, many of which became renowned, thanks in part to their famous owners, which included the likes of Enzo Ferrari and Peter Sellers.
The Type 62-2
The Radford Type 62-2 is a cultural icon in its own right. It was built almost completely on the success of Colin Chapman’s Lotus Formula One team and the phenomenal road cars that his firm manufactured during the automaker's golden age. However, the business also competed in sports car racing at the time, in which the Type 62 also took part. It even raced and won the class as a prototype for the company's 907 engine during the 1969 season.
The new Type 62-2
The modern take on this iconic sports car is based on the Lotus Evora. It was teased earlier this year. However, it isn’t just an Evora with a new paint job. Several mods have been carried out under the skin go the Evora to make this all-new Type 62-2. The recently resurrected Radford brand genuinely believed that this car was worth reviving. And, hence, former Formula One champion Jenson Button, Automotive Designer Mark Stubbs, and TV personality Art Anstead came together to revive Radford Motors.
The firm has an appropriate partner with none other than Lotus itself, and along with Button, it has helped in the development of the new Radford Type 62-2. The new sports car's bodywork is an exact depiction of the old car and follows the lines of the original. At the design level, we find classic styling elements, such as the flowing lines of the body or the wheels, but with some unique nuances and modern touches like LED lighting.
The Type 62-2 places great emphasis on reducing weight. The car inherits the lightweight characteristics of the Evora. It features a central aluminum monocoque chassis and carbon fiber body that contribute to the car's lightness, which Radford claims results in a dry weight of less than 2,204 pounds. This essentially is a lightweight sports car inspired by a classic racer, but it is also engineered to perform as a practical and usable streetcar.
We are yet to get pictures of the inside of the car, but what we do know is that it will feature a fully digital dashboard with a six-inch screen, Bluetooth 5.0, and wi-fi, along with five full-size speakers to play your favorite tunes.
Performance
All Radford Type 62-2s are powered by a Toyota-sourced 3.5-liter, supercharged V-6 engine that Lotus fans will immediately recognize.
There are three different versions: The Classic, Gold Leaf, and JPS (John Player Special) The Radford 62-2 Classic being the entry-level model, produces a modest 430 horsepower. A close-ratio six-speed manual transmission is standard while a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic gearbox is available as an option. It features either 17- or 18-inch wheels and will not get the rear spoiler.
Meanwhile, photographs show that the Type 62-2 Gold Leaf will come with a fixed rear wing. It will also have a bump in power with the 3.5-liter V-6 producing 507 horsepower. In addition, you will also get the famous red-and-white ornamentation with gold touches Lotus Racing used until the early 1970s. The Gold Leaf sports 18-inch front and 19-inch rear wheels, and are distinguished by delicate double ducktail spoilers.
Finally, the top-spec Type 62-2 John Player Special, or JPS, increases power to 608 horsepower and retains the iconic black and gold colors of Lotus' John Player Special livery from the mid-‘80s. It also gets a bigger supercharger bolted atop the V-6 engine. The drivetrain features a limited-slip differential and an automatic transmission. Ceramic brake discs are standard on the Radford Lotus Type 62-2 JPS for improved stopping power.
Conclusion
It is great to see coachbuilders like Radford making a comeback and their latest creation is nothing short of stunning. Only 62 examples of the new Radford Type 62-2 will be produced. Prices for the car are yet to be revealed. The first vehicles are expected to hit the road by early next year.