Jenson Button: 'My hands-on challenge to make Radford 62-2 a driver's car'

But Button is also enthused about the ability to fully customise each of the 62 cars being produced — as well as the models to come.

“The whole thing whole thing about exclusivity, co-creation with clients is that connection, it should feel very connected to the brand,” he says. “We co-create with customers what they want. It can be completely individual. The colours on the cars, the materials used inside – if they want a different induction system or a different rear wing, they can have it. It’s everything.”

Button himself has made more than a few purchases in the hypercar and sports car market. He has owned a McLaren P1 and Porsche Carrera GT, but found himself wanting a higher level of customisation than might be afforded by even the most boutique of car manufacturers.

“The tricky thing is with big brands is that they have limited edition runs of cars, which is great, but it’s quite limited on what you’re going to do with those cars, how you can make your own. You can add a stripe here and there and you can do some things, but we’re coming at it in a very different view.

“We had a client here yesterday, at one of our events, and they said, ‘It’s just nice to feel like we’re part of this team building these.’ People are becoming part of Radford by purchasing a car and making it their own.”

Harold Radford started his eponymous coachbuilding company in 1948. Customising everything from Minis to Rolls Royces, the luxury modifier has ’60s celebrity clients such John Lennon and Peter Sellers. The company went into liquidation 1966, with the trademark bought by Stubbs a few years ago.

As production cars offer greater customisation options, Radford’s new custodians see increasing demand for even more exclusivity — and cachet. The company has bought the rights to the classic Lotus John Player Special and Gold Leaf liveries in America, which are used to differentiate each version of the Type 62-2

The ‘Classic’ version has a 430bhp V6, is manual, comes without a spoiler, has 17in front and 18in rear wheels), whereas the ‘Gold Leaf’ edition packs a 500bhp V6, DCT, twin ducktail spoilers, 18/19in centre-lock wheels and motor sport traction control.

A JPS version (600bhp, DCT, complete aero kit and carbon wheels and brakes), is set to be released soon.

“When you’re cruising around town, it’s calm, but I think people will be surprised at how loud is to when you’re full throttle. It’s a lovely, lovely sound.”

Looking to the future, Button and co already have the next models mapped out.

“We already have one car manufacturer that’s signed up for our next car, which is very exciting, and a second one that is almost over the line. So the next few years are kind of planned out already. The second car will be very different to the first car.

“When you look at the orders coming in for the 62 though, it’s like, ‘Maybe we should have made more!’”

Whilst Button is now travelling at a marginally slower pace than he did in his F1 career, this new type of challenge is something he’s relishing.

“This is definitely different to F1, a smaller team. We’re all working, we’re all hands-on, building and developing Radford cars.

“Seeing the passion from the whole team, and the belief in what we’re trying to achieve, it’s really, really special. There’s a great group of people here and they work so hard. I’ve probably put the least amount of work in and I’ve put in quite a lot.

“These guys have worked 24/7 to get this car ready for the launch. It’s a real breath of fresh air to work with people that are as passionate as you are.”