“Tim supported vehicle development at some of the world’s most respected car brands, including Aston Martin and McLaren.”
Founder
Rufford was born from a lifelong passion for British sports cars, engineering and motorsport.
Behind the brand is Tim Saunders who spent the last decade working within the automotive industry, supporting the development, engineering and analysis of vehicles from some of the world’s most respected manufacturers, including Aston Martin and McLaren.
Throughout his career, Tim has specialised in vehicle benchmarking, product strategy and cost engineering, gaining an unrivalled understanding of how exceptional cars are conceived, engineered and built.
Family History
Rufford wasn’t created in a boardroom – it started much earlier.
Growing up in a family where classic cars were simply part of life, Tim inherited a passion that spans generations.
His father has been an classic car owner and enthusiast for more than fifty years, while his siblings are also owners and enthusiasts themselves.
Family weekends were often spent attending race meetings, visiting classic car shows or discussing the finer details of British sports car engineering.
A Shared Passion
Motorsport has always been woven into the Saunders family story.
From historic racing, hillclimbs and sprints to endurance events and iconic British engineering, the pursuit of performance has been a constant source of inspiration.
That shared passion eventually led to one question:
‘What would the Sebring look like if it were built today?’
The Rufford is the answer.
‘This is the car we always dreamed of building…’
Every Rufford is created with immense respect for the original concept, while embracing modern engineering, craftsmanship and technology.
The Rufford philosophy is never to erase the character of these iconic cars, but to enhance it – creating a classic that looks authentic, feels timeless and performs to a standard that modern drivers expect.
Each vehicle is individually commissioned and handcrafted, combining carefully selected components with contemporary engineering solutions to deliver an exceptional driving experience.
From subtle design refinements to bespoke interiors and modern mechanical upgrades, every detail is considered.
Every Rufford is hand-built in the UK before being delivered and registered for its owner in the UAE.
Rufford is the culmination of a lifetime spent around classic cars, a professional career dedicated to automotive engineering, and an enduring belief that one of Britain’s greatest sports cars deserves to evolve without losing its soul.
