Latham F2 - Any owners here?
Discussion
Raising my head gingerly above the parapet, I plead guilty m'lud. I do indeed own a Latham F2, although I have to admit that it's not on the road at the moment. (A slight disagreement with a Vauxhall Astra a few years back left me with something of a rebuild on my hands. Mind you, the Astra was a right off, but that's another story).
If this thread does reveal any more closet F2 owners, please can they drop me a PM, as we're trying to revive the Register after years of neglect. We're in the process of creating a website devoted to the car, but it's in the early 'holding page' stage at the moment. One was sold on eBay about a week or so ago, and we have another one for sale on the website right now (www.lathamf2.co.uk - but don't laugh at the counter!) but with only eleven ever completed, they're a bit scarce.
The Dolomite wheels were always a compromise, and didn't fit the arches in any direction, but the theory was that the F2 could be created using a single donor, with every component from the Sprint being carried across to the Latham, save the screen (MGB) and the side window winder mechanisms (Spitfire). That also ensured that the Latham carried the same registration as the donor, so very few have Q plates. Those that do tend to have the TR7 engine/gearbox installation or used multiple Dolomite donors.
Perhaps this will prompt me to do some more work on that website. Thanks for the wake-up call!
If this thread does reveal any more closet F2 owners, please can they drop me a PM, as we're trying to revive the Register after years of neglect. We're in the process of creating a website devoted to the car, but it's in the early 'holding page' stage at the moment. One was sold on eBay about a week or so ago, and we have another one for sale on the website right now (www.lathamf2.co.uk - but don't laugh at the counter!) but with only eleven ever completed, they're a bit scarce.
The Dolomite wheels were always a compromise, and didn't fit the arches in any direction, but the theory was that the F2 could be created using a single donor, with every component from the Sprint being carried across to the Latham, save the screen (MGB) and the side window winder mechanisms (Spitfire). That also ensured that the Latham carried the same registration as the donor, so very few have Q plates. Those that do tend to have the TR7 engine/gearbox installation or used multiple Dolomite donors.
Perhaps this will prompt me to do some more work on that website. Thanks for the wake-up call!
No, sorry. Paul Latham Jackson, who designed the car, made sure that it would be impossible to fit a V8 of any kind. I think he had an anti-V8 policy at the time.
It sounds wildly optimistic to say it now, but the car was always intended to go into full production, and the kits were only ever seen as prototypes. The final configuration - and remember this was circa 1990 - was always intended to be dry-sumped Vauxhall 2 litre (red-top) four cylinder mated to Sierra five-speed gearbox and back axle. I believe Caterham subsequently adopted this as one of their options in the Seven.
Also bear in mind that the Latham uses an all-composite construction and weighs around 650 kilos max, so has an excellent power-to-weight ratio even with the Sprint engine. Mine was rated at over 185 bhp at the back wheels, and that was only mildly tuned.
It sounds wildly optimistic to say it now, but the car was always intended to go into full production, and the kits were only ever seen as prototypes. The final configuration - and remember this was circa 1990 - was always intended to be dry-sumped Vauxhall 2 litre (red-top) four cylinder mated to Sierra five-speed gearbox and back axle. I believe Caterham subsequently adopted this as one of their options in the Seven.
Also bear in mind that the Latham uses an all-composite construction and weighs around 650 kilos max, so has an excellent power-to-weight ratio even with the Sprint engine. Mine was rated at over 185 bhp at the back wheels, and that was only mildly tuned.
Thumper said:
No, sorry. Paul Latham Jackson, who designed the car, made sure that it would be impossible to fit a V8 of any kind. I think he had an anti-V8 policy at the time.
Also bear in mind that the Latham uses an all-composite construction and weighs around 650 kilos max, so has an excellent power-to-weight ratio even with the Sprint engine. Mine was rated at over 185 bhp at the back wheels, and that was only mildly tuned.
That was a short sighted policy but heck it must still move pretty sharply with that body weight
I've heard of spitfires with rovers although that's a tad worrying! Boosted.
busa_rush said:
how does the car get enough strength without usng a steel chassis or frame ?
Careful design of a composite monocoque. Several kit cars have used composite monocoque construstion with no separate chassis, including my Quantum coupe, the current GTM Libra & Spyder, Midas and first of all Rochdale. Original Lotus Elite was also GRP monocoque.
Latham might have been more interesting project than the Quantum, but too late now.
Hope it finds good home.
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=29750&item=4535432031&rd=1&ssPageName=WDVW
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=29750&item=4539047772&rd=1&ssPageName=WDVW
Seem to be absolute bargains considering. Id have one in a heartbeat, if i didnt have several wallet content munchers anyway.
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=29750&item=4539047772&rd=1&ssPageName=WDVW
Seem to be absolute bargains considering. Id have one in a heartbeat, if i didnt have several wallet content munchers anyway.
The first of the two eBay Lathams sounds to have gone to a good home, albeit cheaply. At least the buyer intends to restore the car, and he has a good example as a basis. I've known it from the day it left the factory, and the original owner did a pretty good job of the build. After ten years, however, and many thousands of miles it may be due some TLC.
As for the second, I can't tell from the description which car this is, since the seller has used an image from the original sales brochure to illustrate the auction, but I've tried to make contact and hope to know more shortly.
Thanks for all the interest.
As for the second, I can't tell from the description which car this is, since the seller has used an image from the original sales brochure to illustrate the auction, but I've tried to make contact and hope to know more shortly.
Thanks for all the interest.
I've found out a bit more about the second eBay Latham, and it turns out to be one of the very last (and best) kits ever to leave the factory.
It was first owned by the one-time President of the Dolomite Sprint Register (later to become part of the Triumph Dolomite Club), but he never got particularly far with the build and sold it on. The second owner (and current seller) has done a fair amount of work and the car is now very close to being roadworthy. It sounds like a golden opportunity, if anyone out there is prepared to take on the final challenge!
It was first owned by the one-time President of the Dolomite Sprint Register (later to become part of the Triumph Dolomite Club), but he never got particularly far with the build and sold it on. The second owner (and current seller) has done a fair amount of work and the car is now very close to being roadworthy. It sounds like a golden opportunity, if anyone out there is prepared to take on the final challenge!
The small wheels can be addressed by fitting MGF wheels which have the same 3.75" PCD as Triumphs. Look very good on my Latham F2 (I use the 15" 5-spke VVC ones).
Thumper, any chance of finding out about headlamp covers manufacture, we spoke a long time ago about it. I'm still missing mine and am thinking about trying to make some myself, not easy!
Latham F2 F2028
Thumper, any chance of finding out about headlamp covers manufacture, we spoke a long time ago about it. I'm still missing mine and am thinking about trying to make some myself, not easy!
Latham F2 F2028
stingers said:
Any chance of finding out about headlamp covers manufacture?
Strange as it may seem, I've actually been in touch with the contractors who made the originals today! It's several years since they last made a batch, and the first thing they have to do is to discover whether they still have the buck. "We never throw anything away" was the assurance given to me on the phone, so I've got my fingers crossed.
Any other owners looking for a fresh set? The more we can get together in one hit, the better the unit price.
Firstly, excellent news on the headlight covers. Remanufacture has got the green light, so production is imminent and the Register has orders for five sets already.
On the second eBay Latham, which has just a day or so to go, the seller has now posted a selection of photos of the car, which suggest that most of the work has indeed been done - see link above. Anyone interested and seeking advice is welcome to contact me through the website (where the counter is now ticking away merrily. Thanks everyone! Relaunch with lots more material scheduled for later this week.)
On the second eBay Latham, which has just a day or so to go, the seller has now posted a selection of photos of the car, which suggest that most of the work has indeed been done - see link above. Anyone interested and seeking advice is welcome to contact me through the website (where the counter is now ticking away merrily. Thanks everyone! Relaunch with lots more material scheduled for later this week.)
We've relaunched the site at www.lathamf2.co.uk. If anyone wants to take a look, please do, and then tell us what you think.
We hadn't planned on going live quite so soon, so there's still lots more to do and a couple of dead-ends, plus lots more images to add, but the essence is there. If you find any links that don't work, pages that don't load properly, or anything else that annoys you, please let us know!
We hadn't planned on going live quite so soon, so there's still lots more to do and a couple of dead-ends, plus lots more images to add, but the essence is there. If you find any links that don't work, pages that don't load properly, or anything else that annoys you, please let us know!
Simple, effective.... I like it. The only thing id say is that some of the larger blocks of text like the history could stand to have something or other (pics maybe) chucked in to break it up a bit.
And a buyers guide would be nice
although assumedly its not there because everyone who wants one already knows them inside out, if that makes any sense
And a buyers guide would be nice
although assumedly its not there because everyone who wants one already knows them inside out, if that makes any senseThanks for the prompt feedback. I agree about the text - and make a comment about it on the page - but it's all a question of time, and I thought getting something up there pdq was better, at least for the next few days. I'll add pictures soon.
Strangely, the Latham being auctioned on eBay ended today without a bid, despite 2700 views. I don't know what the reserve was, but I'm very surprised nobody had the courage to offer a few hundred. It's still available, if anyone's interested.
Strangely, the Latham being auctioned on eBay ended today without a bid, despite 2700 views. I don't know what the reserve was, but I'm very surprised nobody had the courage to offer a few hundred. It's still available, if anyone's interested.
Apologies for resurrecting this thread, but we're still looking for cars and owners in order to complete the register.
The website has grown somewhat in the last year, and we're still adding pages ( www.lathamf2.co.uk ), but if anyone knows the whereabouts of any of these cars, can you share the info. Thanks.
The website has grown somewhat in the last year, and we're still adding pages ( www.lathamf2.co.uk ), but if anyone knows the whereabouts of any of these cars, can you share the info. Thanks.
Edited by Thumper on Monday 8th January 20:39
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