Radford Motors’ Type 62-2 is an old-school machine with modern Lotus V6 power

Radford Motors, headed by the 2009 F1 World Champion Jenson Button, has built its first modern coachbuilt, named the Type 62-2, inspired by the iconic Lotus Type 62 race car from the 1960s. This road-going version of that race car is all modern, with classic design ideas, and to put it simply – it is as pretty as a picture. Why, just look at it!

Nevertheless, the chassis components are borrowed from the latest Lotus Evora, and the power too is derived from a Lotus as it will make up to 600hp from its 3.5L V6 supercharged motor depending on the variant. Speaking of the variant, let me make it very clear, the Type 62-2 will have three versions to choose from, and to help you understand them better, here are the aforementioned three versions.

Classic uses Evora’s standard supercharged 3.5L engine to produce 430hp. The Gold Leaf variant uses the same motor, but thanks to upgraded pistons and crankshafts, it will make 500hp. Top of the table is JPS which has an all-new supercharger and upgraded tuning software to produce a colossal 600hp.

The base model will have the standard 6-speed MT, with an option to upgrade to a 7-speed DCT unit. The other two variants will get DCT and with an eLSD. No matter the spec, you receive the same Lotus monocoque, with a bespoke rear subframe made by Radford to improve strength, stiffness, and agility. Radford also says that Jenson Button personally calibrated the car to achieve “exceptional steering feel and driver feedback.”

Styling-wise, the Classic trim has to be the best of the lot, goes on without saying, as it doesn’t get a rear wing, and 17inchers at the front and 18s at the back. The Gold Leaf mimics the original Type 62 that much more with a retro livery, track-focused aero, and that soothing “double ducktail” spoiler specially applied by Lotus to improve downforce. Oh, and it has 18s at the front and 19s at the back.

On the inside, we have no images for you, but Radford says it has installed two “wing mirror” cameras that project an image of what’s happening on the outside for the driver. The rear-view mirror too, is scrapped, thanks to the solid rear panel. A 6-inch all-digital instrument cluster includes Wi-Fi and Bluetooth connectivity, whereas the rest of the list includes integrated LED lights, customizable digital switch inputs.

Radford co-founder Jenson 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 center 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.

Radford Motors also claims that the Type 62-2 can be used for your daily chores, but production is limited to just 62 units and is expected to begin in late 2021, with the first deliveries taking place early in 2022, so better get to work people. Chop chop!