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F2045
became available in late 2009, and subsequently
sold to an existing Latham owner, who initially
saw this "completion project" as a potential
source of spares for his existing, pristine example.
However, a recent exchange of emails suggests that
the car may actually go on to be finished, which
is excellent news.
F2045
is still unregistered but is in the later stages
of construction. She was originally delivered
to the previous owner, Mark, in 1990, and he
told us that the chassis
"has a Dolomite Sprint engine fitted with
completely rebuilt twin SU carburettors and
the bunch of bananas exhaust manifold," by
which we assume he meant the elaborate four-branch
system specifically designed for the Latham
that, in itself, releases an additional 15 bhp
from the engine.
The
installation also included the optional remote
oil cooler. The manual four-speed gearbox had
been installed, together with a shortened and balanced
propshaft. All the suspension and brakes, including
servo, were fitted, and a new fuel tank was
in the boot, together with a high-performance electric
fuel pump.
Mark
had also completed the fitting of the wiring
loom, some of which can be seen in the accompanying
photograph.
At
the time of sale, the aforementioned exhaust
manifold had yet to be mated to the bespoke
Latham exhaust system, but this was included
in the sale, as was an MGB screen surround
and rubber. Mark also had a full set of headlamp
bowls and indicator/sidelight units. These
and a number of other components are illustrated
in the photograph below, bottom
right.
Together
with the chassis and all the major components
already installed, such as front and rear
suspension, dampers, springs, steering rack
and column, back axle and pedal-box assembly,
the sale also included a spare Sprint engine
and gearbox with overdrive. Visible in the
shot (left) are the special
made-to-order Spax damper units, now unique to
the Latham, and the dahboard and centre console
can be seen in the next photograph.
The
final photo on the left shows the cockpit with
the door open. The white marks were just the
remains of some tape used to keep the doors
shut whilst Mark was working on the F2. The
door locks had yet to be installed, but Mark
had achieved a good fit on the
doors themselves - one of the more difficult
aspects of an F2 build, so it was good to
know that part has been completed already.
"I
still have all the original receipts, which also
show that I bought and fitted a camshaft from
Holbay, a Group II clutch, lightened flywheel,
and a brake bias valve. I also have the original
registration documents from the donor vehicles."
Mark had great plans for racing the F2 in the
kit car series of the day, so went for the highest
standard of competition components that he could
afford at the time.
 The
asking price was "offers in the region
of"
£2300.
Click
on images to view enlargements.
Details
correct as of December 2010 |
