Evora GT

Make
Lotus
Segment
Coupe

In an age where mass-produced cars have reached their zenith, it's always refreshing to see smaller car builders come out with cool projects, and even more so when they consider themselves coachbuilders. Last year we reported that the legendary Radford name would be revived with the help of Lotus, Formula 1 world champion Jenson Button, and TV personality Ant Anstead. Radford has had a hand in building bespoke versions of the classic Mini, Aston Martins, and even the original Ford GT40, and is now getting one step closer to getting its own car, the Project 62-2, on the road.

Based on the same sort of principles that make the Lotus Evora GT such a fun car to drive, this bespoke piece of engineering can now be seen testing in bare-bones form, and it looks like a ton of fun - especially with the abovementioned former F1 champ at the helm.

The YouTube video, posted by Radford motors, follows Button and Anstead testing the Type 62-2 at the Radford Racing School in Chandler, Arizona. Seeing the car in its naked form reminds one of cars such as the Ariel Atom, and as Button comments in the video, the barebones design makes it look and feel like a true race car. The car seems to love a bit of track action and sticks to the asphalt like gum to your favorite shag carpet. Without the weight of a body atop this chassis, one can't help but think that this must be the purest way to enjoy track driving.

If you've seen the Radford Type 62-2 complete with its body, you'll how strange this sight is: the complete car has looks akin to those of a Ford GT40 Le Mans racer from the 1960s, but it's actually based on the 1969 Lotus Type 62 prototype race car.

One can quickly tell that things are still in the development stages, as important parts such as the radiator are still cable-tied to support structures, and the team is still experimenting with spacers in the chassis, but the important parts are all there: "the engine, wheels, and steering wheel."

Fortunately, the car won't get much heavier when it has its clothes on. "We want to make this car as light as possible and then worry about power," says Button. This mantra is in line with what Lotus founder Colin Chapman said: "simplify, then add lightness." The Radford Type 62-2 isn't lacking power either - not by a long shot; these lightweight tracers are powered by a 3.5-liter V6 engine producing up to 600 horsepower, allowing the 62-2 to sprint to 60 mph in only 2.9 seconds, and top out at a limited 181 mph. The conclusion of this video is simple; it's light, responsive, and ridiculously fast. We want to drive one.