Noting that both companies were founded in 1948, Radford and Lotus have announced that Radford’s first vehicle will be built in collaboration with Lotus.
“The first Radford car will be based on Lotus technology, following a partnership announced with the legendary British sports car manufacturer’s consultancy arm – Lotus Engineering,” the news release noted. “Already in advanced development, the new bespoke Radford model will be fully revealed later this year.”
Though based in England, Radford is being revitalized by a trio of British ex-pats living in the Los Angeles area — former F1 champion Jenson Button, designer Mark Stubbs and television commentator and automotive specialist Ant Anstead, with Roger Behle as business adviser and attorney.
Radford intends to be a “global luxury automotive brand.” It traces to Radford Motors, a British coachbuilding company that turned various sports cars into “shooting brake” station wagons.
Soon after relaunching the brand, Radford signed a deal to put its name on the former Bob Bondurant School of High Performance Driving, and it will use the Bondurant track in Chandler, Arizona, as a proving grounds.
“Our first car will be totally new and something very special, it will be a Radford, through and through,” said Stubbs. “And that means it will be unique – the body will be sleek and elegant, the interior will be cosseting and luxurious, and the drive will be out of this world. Everything about it will be totally bespoke to Radford.”
Well, except for the parts that come from Lotus.
For more information, visit the Radford website.
