1951 Alta Formula 2 Single-Seater F2/2
- Engine
- 2.0L inline-four twin-overhead-camshaft
The Alta F2/2 is the second of five Formula 2 single-seaters built by Geoffrey Taylor's Alta Car & Engineering Company at Tolworth, Surrey, and was completed in 1951 for Gordon Watson, co-founder of the Leacroft coachbuilding enterprise. It contested two full frontline seasons in 1951–52, racing across Britain and continental Europe with drivers including Watson, Bill Whitehouse, and Rex Woodgate. After changing hands several times through the 1950s and 1960s, the car passed to its most recent owner in 1974, who raced it once in 1975 before setting it aside. With 49 years of single ownership and minimal subsequent intervention, it is considered among the most original surviving examples of the Alta marque.
Ownership
- 2023-12-15Auction saleSold £85,000 (≈ $106K)
- 1951 → 1953Factory deliveryGordon Watsonfull documentation
Watson commissioned the car as the second F2 Alta built, racing it actively through 1951-52. He advertised it for sale in early 1953 via his Leacroft of Egham business after family funding ceased.
- 1955-04-01 →Acquisition unknownPeter Wilsonpartial documentation
Former RAF Squadron Leader who had previously raced Bristol and Frazer Nash machinery; entered the car in a Formule Libre event at Ibsley before passing it on.
- → 1964Acquisition unknownAnthony Foleypartial documentation
London-based dealer in firearms and antiques; sold the car in 1964 along with a Humber Super Snipe tow vehicle.
- 1964 →Private saleRay Potterpartial documentation
Local newspaper professional who acquired the car with a tow vehicle and participated in VSCC historic events in 1965 and 1966 before selling on.
- → 1969Private saleMichael A. V. Adamspartial documentation
Used the car briefly in club-level historic events and then advertised it for sale in the February 1969 edition of Motor Sport magazine.
- 1969 → 1969Private saleDudley Gahaganpartial documentation
Prominent ERA owner and driver based in Aldershot; acquired the car apparently on behalf of a local client, Horace Capauldi.
- 1969 → 1974Private saleHorace Capauldipartial documentation
Local proprietor of the Top Hat Café; instructed Gahagan to resell the car within roughly a year of acquisition, after which it was consigned to auction in 1974.
- 1974 →AuctionCurrent ownerfull documentation
Experienced racing driver with a 13-year career spanning Formula Junior, Lotus sports cars, Ford GT40, and Chevron models; held the car for 49 years, racing it just once in 1975 before setting it aside unrestored.
Competition
- 1951-05-05BRDC International Trophy, Heat 2Driver: Gordon WatsonFinished but not classified
The final was abandoned due to heavy rain.
- 1951-06-03ADAC EifelrennenDriver: Gordon WatsonLast place finisher
Progress hampered by a first-lap incident; car sustained nose damage and required repair in France afterward.
- 1951-07-08Grand Prix de Rouen-les-EssartsDriver: Gordon Watson8th (classified)
Result achieved despite a gearbox failure during the race.
- 1951-07-15Grande Trophée Entre Sambre et Meuse, MettetDriver: Gordon Watson11th
Gearbox required attention during the event.
- 1951-08-11Daily Mail Formule Libre 50 Guineas Trophy, BorehamDriver: Gordon Watson7th
- 1951-09-09Grenzlandring-Rennen, WegbergDriver: Bill Whitehouse11th
- 1951-09-29Madgwick Cup, GoodwoodDriver: Bill Whitehouse8th
Car was fitted with twin SU carburettors for this outing.
- 1951-09-29Third September Handicap, GoodwoodDriver: Bill Whitehouse10th
- 1951-10-06Bristol MC 2-litre Race, Castle CombeDriver: Bill Whitehouse2nd
- 1951-10-13Race at Winfield Aerodrome, BerwickDriver: Bill Whitehouse7th
- 1951-10-27Snetterton Inaugural SprintsDriver: Rex Woodgate
Result could not be confirmed.
- 1952-04-14Lavant Cup Formula 2, Easter Monday GoodwoodDriver: Gordon Watson7th
- 1952-04-14Chichester Cup Formule Libre, Easter Monday GoodwoodDriver: Gordon WatsonRtd
- 1952-04-14Richmond Trophy, Easter Monday GoodwoodDriver: Gordon Watson11th
- 1952-04-19Ibsley Formula 2 RaceDriver: Rex Woodgate5th
- 1952-05-10Daily Express BRDC International Trophy, SilverstoneDriver: Gordon Watson10th in Heat 2; 14th in Final
- 1952-05-31Half-Litre CC Formula 2 Race, SnettertonDriver: Bill WhitehouseDNF — crash on lap 2
- 1952-07-07Daily Express Formule Libre, SilverstoneDriver: Gordon Watson13th
- 1952-09-27Madgwick Cup, GoodwoodDriver: Gordon WatsonDNS
Car completed practice but did not take the start.
- 1955-04-01Ibsley Formule Libre RaceDriver: Peter Wilson
Wilson, a former RAF Squadron Leader, entered this event before passing the car to a subsequent owner.
- 1975VSCCVSCC/Historic race (single outing)
The current owner raced the car once after acquiring it at auction in 1974, then stored it pending more thorough preparation that was never undertaken.
- —VSCCVSCC historic eventsDriver: Ray Potter
Car was used in Vintage Sports Car Club historic racing in 1965 and 1966 under Potter's ownership.
- —VSCCVSCC club eventsDriver: Michael A. V. Adams
Adams made brief use of the car in comparable club-level historic events before deciding to sell.
Maintenance & restoration
- 1951Repair
Nose damage sustained at the Nürburgring was repaired while the car was in France, prior to the Rouen race.
- 1951Modification
Engine carburettion changed to twin SU units for the Goodwood Madgwick Cup.
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