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 One
of the finest Latham sportscars in existence,
F2043 was offered for sale a few years ago,
and found a new and enthusiastic
home.
This
example of the F2 Super Sports was built to the
very highest standards by Roger Capps of Rye in
Kent and had only covered about 4,000 miles from
new, prior to the recent sale.
As
a professional in the motor trade, Roger had access
to the parts, the staff and the expertise to ensure
that F2043 was not only built beautifully in the
first place, but was cherished from that day forward.
As a result this sale represented a unique opportunity
to obtain a rare and very special motor car, and
at a fraction of the cost that Roger himself had
met in order to create and maintain the car -
well over £20,000.
The
car was built around one of the middle series
chassis, and so benefits from many of the enhancements
incorporated into the F2 design following the
experiences gained from earlier examples. Into
this Roger installed a fully rebuilt Dolomite
Sprint 16 Valve 2 litre unit, complete with TriumphTune
inlet manifold and twin Delorto 45 carburettors.
At a conservative estimate, this should be generating
in excess of 160 Bhp. Bearing in mind the light
weight of the car - something around 850 kilos
- that's an exceptional power-to-weight ratio.
 The
car is fitted with an independent oil cooler,
together with a thermostatically controlled Kenlowe
electric cooling fan. During the rebuild one of
the later uprated twelve-vane water pumps was
employed.
Almost uniquely,
Roger's F2 enjoys the benefits of a genuine five-speed
gearbox, rather than the more usual four-speed
with overdrive. Roger also went to the expense
of having special DurAluminium wheelspacers machined
and fitted in order to achieve the recommended
track, and these incorporate the vitally important
flange that ensures the best possible hub location.
The
interior of the car is exceptional. Ivory-coloured
leather has been used extensively, not only on
the seats, but also on the door trim, around the
dashboard, along the transmission tunnel, and
around the rear compartment. The seats themselves
are the genuine Latham design, and offer the best
driving position and visibility for the F2.
A
leather-trimmed steering wheel is included, and
the
interior is topped off by a beige vinyl hood,
hand made to Latham's own patterns by the original
subcontractors in Bletchley, Buckinghamshire.
The
dashboard features a real-wood veneer finish and
full instrumentation, including speedometer, rev
counter, oil temperature, water temperature, ammeter,
clock, Kenlowe over-ride switch and heater controls.
During
Roger's period of ownership, F2043 was exhibited
from time to time at kit car and country shows,
and won several awards.
The
new owner took delivery in December 2009.
Although the car's MOT had lapsed, this was soon
sorted and the car was polished and back on the
road in time for the Stoneleigh show
in 2010.
Click
on any image to view an enlargement.
These enlargements will appear in a fresh window,
and can be closed by clicking on the [x] in the
top right-hand corner. Your browser will need
to be enabled to permit pop-up windows. The image
below shows F2043 arriving at her new home in
December 2009.
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