Lotus 62 2, a vintage supercar with 500 3D printed parts

Radford, a British carmaker that was recently re-started by former F1 world champion Jenson Button, just introduced its first limited edition car, the Lotus Type 62 2 (or Radford Type 62 2). It’s a reimagined version of the 1969 Lotus Type 62 racer and just 62 Radford/Lotus Type 62 2s will be built, each to the exacting custom specifications of the car’s individual buyers. To support and streamline such low-volume production numbers, Radford turned to Stratasys Direct Manufacturing, for over 500 parts to be 3D printed for each car.

In addition to providing design inspiration, Lotus will also help Radford build Project 62. Each one of the cars will also be customized to the owner’s tastes – and the company claims it provides so much scope for personalization, that every car will be unique.

Type 62-2 puts a heavy focus on weight savings. Lightness is added primarily through an aluminum chassis and a carbon-fiber body, a combination that Radford claims leaves the car’s dry weight under their target of 2,204 pounds.

The uncompromising design shares all the dramatic hallmarks of the original Type 62, including some unique elements of a vintage racer of the day. All Lotus Type 62 2 feature a 3.5 liter supercharged V-6 however, the power output of that engine will be determined by the trim level the buyer chooses. The Classic guise boasts 430 horsepower, but the Gold Leaf trim level (of which only 12 will be made) brings internal improvements that bring power up to 500 hp. A JPS edition mentioned in the spec sheet upgrades the supercharger, taking the car up to 600 horsepower.

Radford said that partner Jenson Button, the 2009 Formula 1 World Champion, participated directly in building out the car’s driving dynamics. Fellow partner Mark Stubbs designed the car itself. Both, along with television personality Ant Anstead and businessman Roger Behle, are co-founders of the modern incarnation of the legendary coachbuilder.