One of the most prominent motorsports liveries—John Player Special has a new owner. The overlapping JPS lettering, and black and gold color scheme is now owned by Radford, a U.S.-based coachbuilder who says they will now use it on future models.
John Player & Sons was a U.K.-based tobacco and cigarette manufacturer. As the brand gained in popularity during the 50s and 60s, it began sponsoring sports teams including the Norton Motorcycle racing team and the Lotus Formula 1 team. It was in 1972 that the first JPS liveried car appeared on the Formula 1 grid, driven by Emerson Fitipaldi who won the championship and constructors title in that same year. The JPS livery was present on Lotus Formula 1 cars until 1986 and the Lotus 98T which was driven by Ayrton Senna. The JPS livery is one of the most significant liveries ever to grace an F1 car, and it epitomized the glamour era of motor racing in the 1970s.
Radford is owned and run by leading car designer Mark Stubbs, TV presenter and car builder Ant Anstead, FIA Formula One World Champion, Jenson Button, and leading business adviser and lawyer Roger Behle.
Mostly recently they announced a partnership with British sports car manufacturer Lotus. The company announced its first car ‘Project 62’ will be ultra-exclusive and based on Lotus technology. It will be inspired by the Lotus Type 62, and only 62 cars will be produced. Already in advanced development, the bespoke Radford model will be fully revealed in the coming months.
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