Radford (Radford Motor Company) is a top-tier car customization and modification brand originating from the UK, with headquarters now located in California, USA. Its predecessor was founded by Harold Radford in London in 1948, initially famous for custom bodywork for Bentley and Rolls-Royce, and became popular in the 1960s for creating custom Minis exclusively for celebrities like The Beatles. The brand was revived in 2021 by F1 World Champion Jenson Button, automotive designer Mark Stubbs, television host Ant Anstead, and lawyer Roger Behle, redefining modern coachbuilding craftsmanship with a dual gene of "design + driving".
The Golden Age: 1948—1960s. Radford was founded by Harold Radford in London in 1948, initially known for custom bodywork. In 1951, it launched the Bentley MkVI Countryman Shooting Brake at the London Motor Show, pioneering the luxury multi-purpose vehicle. In the 1960s, it launched custom Minis equipped with electric windows, leather interiors, etc., favored by celebrities like The Beatles and Peter Sellers. Additionally, Radford also participated in the fiberglass body manufacturing of the Ford GT40 prototype.
Silence and Intermittent Revival (1970s—2020). In 1966, Harold Radford (Coachbuilders) Limited entered voluntary liquidation. In 1967, a new company took over the business, but the sharp decline in custom modification demand led to the gradual decline of the brand. Subsequently, Radford was held by HR Owen Group and intermittently revived in the 1980s and 1990s to launch luxury modified Minis, but none lasted long.
Brand Revival: 2021 Revival Plan. In 2021, four key figures—F1 World Champion Jenson Button, designer Mark Stubbs, TV automotive show host Ant Anstead, and commercial lawyer Roger Behle—jointly took over the brand. The revival team is based in California, USA, placing Radford under the Finest Coachbuilding Group (FCG), and selected Lotus as the technical partner. The first product after revival is the Type 62-2 retro sports car built on the Lotus Evora/Exige platform, limited to 62 units globally, and officially unveiled in August 2021. In 2022, the Type 62-2 entered the production ramp-up phase, and in 2023, the Pikes Peak track version was launched to verify racing reliability.
Dilemmas and Challenges (2024–Present). In March 2024, Radford fell into a financial crisis due to legal action filed by business partners. In October of the same year, the parent company Finest Coachbuilding Group LLC filed for bankruptcy protection under Chapter 11 of the US Bankruptcy Code. CFO Dan Bednarski stated that the bankruptcy proceedings were a necessary strategic step for restructuring, attracting new investment, and strengthening the future foundation. As of May 2026, Radford has not announced restructuring progress, and some customers with vehicle orders have filed lawsuits demanding refund of prepayments and delivery of vehicles.
Type 62-2— The only product series after Radford's brand revival, containing three power versions and a track version, totaling 62 units.
Type 62-2 Classic: Base model. Equipped with a 3.5-liter V6 supercharged engine, outputting 430 horsepower, paired with a 6-speed manual or 7-speed dual-clutch transmission.
Type 62-2 Gold Leaf: Mid-tier sports version. Upgraded pistons and camshafts, outputting 500 horsepower, using a 7-speed dual-clutch transmission with an electronic limited-slip differential.
Type 62-2 John Player Special (JPS): High-performance version limited to 12 units. Outputting 600 horsepower, standard carbon-ceramic braking system and lightweight wheels 18 inches front / 19 inches rear, equipped with Michelin Pilot Sport Cup 2 tires.
Track Edition (Track Version) : Unlimited non-road compliant model, derived from the Pikes Peak race car, with optional track-specific upgrade packages.
Type 62-2 Pikes Peak Edition: 2023 Pikes Peak Hill Climb race model, fully upgraded based on the track version, outputting approximately 700 horsepower, 0-96 km/h acceleration takes only 2.2 seconds. The track version series is limited to 12 units, all providing in-depth personalized customization of the entire vehicle.
As a low-volume custom brand, Radford has not publicly disclosed performance or revenue data. As of 2026, only a small number of customer vehicles have been confirmed delivered, while the delivery status of other orders remains unclear. Since the 2024 bankruptcy restructuring, some customers have filed lawsuits against Radford due to delivery delays and refund disputes. The Pikes Peak race version is priced at approximately $1 million, positioned overall as a million-dollar-level "collectible asset" rather than a daily consumer product.
Modular Chassis: Based on the extruded aluminum alloy chassis of Lotus Evora/Exige, providing a stable foundation. The track version uses a full carbon fiber monocoque chassis, reducing weight by 50% and increasing stiffness by 3 times.
Powertrain Tuning: The 3.5-liter Toyota 2GR-FE V6 supercharged engine is the core power unit for the entire series. Through upgrades to pistons, connecting rods, camshafts, and superchargers, output is divided into three tiers of 430/500/600 horsepower, reaching up to 700 horsepower (track version).
3D Printing Additive Manufacturing: Deep collaboration with Stratasys, using over 500 3D-printed parts per vehicle. The distributed printing system supports high-intensity rapid manufacturing of complex parts such as body firewall, cooling pipes, and aerodynamic packages.
Radford has a multinational operational structure: The UK is the brand's origin and cultural root; Newport Beach, California, USA serves as the operational headquarters; and Hertfordshire, UK retains facilities to maintain the "Made in Britain" image. The business primarily targets top collector markets in the US, Middle East, and Europe, with its layout concentrated in English-speaking and wealthy European countries. No official sales channels have been established in China to date.
As a brand dependent on external financing, Radford's fate remains undecided. If it successfully completes Chapter 11 restructuring and brings in new investment, the brand is expected to resume delivery of remaining Type 62-2 orders and advance the development of a second model. However, the brand had planned to transition to full electrification but could not launch due to funding shortages; its future R&D direction will depend on the strategic layout of new investors. If restructuring fails, Radford will face liquidation, becoming another case of rapid decline following its revival.
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