The coachbuilding firm was based within the late Forties by Harold Radford and specialised in creating bespoke our bodies and interiors for Rolls-Royces and Bentleys, with modifications to swimsuit the wants of the agricultural landed gentry.

Radford’s revisions included foldable tables, canine pens, cocktail cupboards, bespoke color schemes and redesigned entrance and rear seats, which may fold flat to kind a double mattress. The corporate even supplied a bunch of add-ons comparable to an electrical shaver, an ice field, a kettle and a built-in sink with cold and hot operating water.

The corporate made its debut on the 1951 London Motor Present with the Bentley Countryman, nevertheless it wasn’t till the Nineteen Sixties that Radford actually acquired into its stride with its coachbuilt model of the unique Mini, which was purchased by all 4 members of the Beatles, and Eric Clapton.

The Radford Grande Luxe Mini de Ville featured a bunch of extras usually reserved for the most costly luxurious automobiles of the day, comparable to a full-length sliding sunroof, a brand new radiator grille, electrical home windows, a picket steering wheel and a re-upholstered inside with deep-pile carpets and a brace of additional dashboard clocks.

Jenson Button mentioned: “To have the ability to assist revive this iconic title is such a particular and distinctive alternative. The Radford model carries such status and magnetism for anybody with an appreciation of automobiles. 

“The work that Harold Radford and his workforce have been accountable for within the mid 1900s is solely unbelievable, so I jumped on the probability to affix Ant and Mark of their quest to place the Radford title again in lights. The journey has very a lot begun, and information of our first automobile will comply with shortly so watch this house.”

Anstead adopted, saying: “The time for a revival of correct coachbuilding is correct now. Folks need one thing distinctive, one thing totally different and one thing tailored. That’s the place Radford is available in – our automobiles will supply the final word in world luxurious and personalisation, mixing British coronary heart and soul, state-of-the-art expertise with conventional craftsmanship. 

“Jenson, Mark and I are proud to be reviving Radford and humbled to be custodians of this legendary firm. Future partnerships that we have already got in place are a testomony to what Radford is able to reaching. It appears like destiny {that a} designer, a builder and a driver have all united at this excellent time. It’s actually thrilling.”

Now try our insider story on the UK’s different main coachbuilder, David Brown Automotive…