Jenson Button joins project to relaunch iconic coachbuilder

Legendary British coachbuilding company Radford has been revived to once again play a leading role in creating bespoke luxury cars.

The company, with a celebrity clientele that once included all four Beatles and movie star Peter Sellers, has been relaunched by leading designer Mark Stubbs, broadcaster and motor specialist Ant Anstead, ex-Formula One Champion Jenson Button and business adviser/lawyer Roger Behle.

Radford was originally founded in 1948 as ‘Harold Radford (Coachbuilders) Ltd’.

After the Second World War, founder Harold Radford, made a name for himself offering coachbuilt Bentley and Rolls Royce motor cars.

Radford made its debut at the London Motor show in 1951, where it showed the luxurious Bentley ‘Countryman’.

The company was also involved in creating bespoke fibreglass bodywork for the prototype GT40, but it was Radford’s modification of Bentley models and later Minis, that gave the company its admired reputation for luxurious, tailored bespoke automobiles.

“To be able to help revive this iconic name is such a special and unique opportunity,” said Jenson Button.

“The Radford brand carries such prestige and magnetism for anyone with an appreciation of cars.”

Ant Anstead added: “The time for a revival of proper coachbuilding is right now. People want something unique, something different and something tailor-made.

“That’s where Radford comes in – our cars will offer the ultimate in global luxury and personalisation, blending British heart and soul, state-of-the-art technology with traditional craftsmanship.

“Jenson, Mark and I are proud to be reviving Radford and humbled to be custodians of this legendary company.”