We reproduce here the entire text and page views of the Latham F2 Super Sports brochure. It was a lavish production, running to eight pages A4 landscape, and was produced to a high standard. Printing was in full colour throughout and every page was generously illustrated with photographs and drawings.

At the time it was leagues ahead of almost anything else being produced for the component car market, and even if the sales of Latham sports cars didn't take off like startled rabbits, it shocked enough of the car's competitors to ensure that the days of the photocopied sheet and stapled photo were consigned to the waste bin.

The Development of an Ideal...

The Latham F2 was conceived as a lightweight, fast two-seater sports-tourer of distinctive styling and unique appeal.

One of the major design parameters was that it should also be suitable for development as an effective competition car and, in the longer term, that prospects should include series production with full UK Type Approval.

To this end factors such as safety, comfort and practicality have been given equal priority alongside the requirements of dynamic performance.

A Triumph of Engineering — An Astounding Combination

At the heart of the F2 is Triumph's award-winning 2 litre Sprint power unit. This four cylinder, sixteen valve, overhead-cam engine, which develops up to 230 bhp in competition form, can easily be tuned to produce some 160 bhp for road use.

Once allied to the lightweight and aerodynamic F2 the performance is breathtaking: Computed acceleration of 0-60 mph in under 6 seconds and a projected maximum speed of around 140 mph.

Parts Compatibility — Tried and Tested

To simplify parts sourcing and construction as many components as practicable are taken from one donor vehicle. In addition to the engine, the suspension and transmission components are also Dolomite based. These are modified where necessary to suit the low stance and lighter weight of the F2.

There are options of four speed, five speed or overdrive gearboxes. Power to the wheels is through the live rear axle, for which a limited slip differential is available.

Double wishbone suspension is used at the front, with top wishbones modified to operate inboard coil spring/damper units. The rear axle is neatly located by the Dolomite four-link system with coil spring/damper units.

Advanced Design and Innovation

Though donor parts come from existing and established sources, the structure of the F2 itself breaks totally new and revolutionary ground.
The car is constructed around an adhesive-bonded, high-strength composite monocoque with triangulated tubular steel substructures at front and rear.

The advanced monocoque construction carries the suspension and engine loads, leaving the lightweight body panels free of any major structural function.

Designed to Perform

The distinctive styling of the F2 was carried out "in-house". The resulting design, with aerodynamics carefully tuned to give the right balance of downforce and drag for high speed driving, has an appeal which is at once advanced and evocative.

Background and Influences on Development

The construction techniques employed in the Latham F2 were developed after considerable study. Of key interest were composite racing car chassis design and the methods employed in the building of modern seagoing racing yachts. Though a number of other kit cars use GRP monocoque structures the Latham is unique in its interpretation of the technique.

The fine detail of the F2 owes much to the designer's extensive experience building other manufacturers' kits. This offered an invaluable insight into the preparation and assembly of a wide variety of vehicles, together with the attendant pitfalls and problems. The result is a practical and sophisticated car for the serious enthusiast, with build cost and complexity kept to a realistic minimum.

The Latham F2 is a remarkably versatile vehicle with astounding sporting potential. It offers all that is best in British sports car design and combines the practicality of the long distance tourer with the lightness, strength and exhilaration of the high performance open two-seater.

Construction

The innovative construction of the F2, with central composite monocoque and subframes front and rear, is more than just an inspired application of modern motor-racing techniques. It is also immensely practical and effective.
The front and rear tubular subframes are built on the spaceframe principle. Loadings are transmitted through the monocoque via locally strengthened mounting points. Both the subframes are designed to collapse progressively in the event of impact, offering the minimum possibility of deformation to the centre section.

Generous box sections are a significant feature of the design. During construction these hollow sections are injected with polyurethane foam which sets to form a hard and rigid core. This not only imparts considerable strength to the structure but also allows for relatively light layups. The result is a monocoque that is not only light, durable and immensely strong but also acts as a safety cell around the occupants in the event of an accident. The one-piece bonnet hinges from the front to give unparalleled access to the engine and front suspension.

The cockpit area has been thoughtfully designed to provide comfortable accommodation and good ergonomics for long distance driving without any waste of space. Specially designed adjustable seats, wide doors, excellent heating and ventilation and effective weather protection all contribute to welcoming driving environment. An internal release, within reach of the driver, allows access to the boot. I addition to being remarkably spacious, the boot also features a recessed spare wheel well and under-floor petrol tank. For increased security and clean lines the petrol filler is also located to the side of the boot aperture, accessed by raising the boot lid. A considerable amount of extra storage space is provided behind the seats. The wind-up windows and quick action hood mean that the F2 can be used in all weathers. It stands among a select minority of marques within the kit car industry; cars which embody all the practicality necessary of an 'only car', yet offer the economy and spirit of excitement that so many people find attractive in a component car

The Kit

The basic kit comprises a factory-assembled body/chassis unit plus doors and boot-lid, which require the Dolomite locks and hinges for fitting. For ease of transport the bonnet is already hinged and fitted to the front of the subframe before despatch.

The chassis consists of a jig-assembled composite (polyester / polyurethane / glass / aramid) monocoque to which are bolted front and rear subframes. The rear bodywork is bonded in position at the factory.

All mounting points are either pre-drilled or marked. The outer body structure, which does not contribute significantly to the strength of the chassis, includes the boot floor, inner wings, door structures and all principal panels. The outer panels are normally supplied in a white gel coat finish. The inner panels and monocoque are prepared in black or grey.
A comprehensive booklet giving detailed assembly instructions accompanies the kit. This includes additional information on sourcing components as well as useful hints on tuning, trimming and recommended suppliers.

Parts Sourcing

The Latham F2 uses as many standard parts from the donor car as is practical and consistent with the object of producing a sophisticated and desirable high performance sports car. Where standard components are inadequate for this purpose alternatives are available from Latham or from a number of suggested sources.

Though it is theoretically possible to use any model from the Dolomite range as a donor vehicle, only front subframe configurations suitable for Sprint and 1850 power units are available at present. Further engine options are currently under consideration.

The Dolomite front subframe is discarded but each front suspension unit is mounted on its own smaller subframe and these are retained together with their mounting bolts.

The F2 is not designed to be driven on standard steel Dolomite wheels. These can be fitted, however, while the car is under construction. In order to retain the standard gearing and to avoid clearance problems it is recommended that alloy wheels are used.

Since the Dolomite is patently not an open-topped two-seater, certain components are not available from the donor vehicle. These additional parts are readily available from alternative sources, or direct from Latham. These include: windscreen and hood frames-MGB; windscreen wiper blades and arms – MGB; side window winding mechanism - Triumph Spitfire.

Parts taken from the donor car: -

Engine and all ancillaries: No modifications necessary apart from the removal of the engine-driven cooling fan and its replacement by an electric, thermostatically controlled type.

Gearbox (and overdrive): No modifications necessary though the gear lever may be shortened. The gearbox cross member should be discarded.

Propellor shaft: This must be cut and shortened, preferably by a competent engineering shop.

Rear axle and suspension: No modifications necessary, but some people may prefer re-rated springs for optimum handling. Up-rated competition bushes are also available and recommended.

Front suspension: Retained with the exception of the coil spring/damper units, which are replaced by special inboard units. The top wishbones arc retained but require modification at Latham (this is included in the kit price).

Other parts from the donor include: Radiator; steering column; all instruments and switches; both front seat runners; both sets of front door hinges; the wiring loom and all relays etc; all front and rear light assemblies; all (four) interior door handles; both front door lock assemblies and linkages; the fuel tank, filler neck, cap and sender unit; the brake pedal, servo and master cylinder (the pedal requires modification); the clutch pedal, master cylinder and hose; the accelerator pedal and cable; the handbrake assembly and linkage; the heater box, blower and dashboard controls; and the windscreen wiper mechanism.

In addition to the basic kit the following extras are available from Latham: Hood, seats, carpet set, interior trim kit, boot trim kit, stainless steel twin pipe exhaust system, acrylic headspring units.

To view the TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS of the Latham F2, follow this link:

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