1961 Ginetta G4

The Ginetta G4 was the fourth model from the Ginetta Car Company and it was a slight deviation from their prior products. This model was intended for both the road and track. It featured a multi-tubular space frame chassis construction with double wishbones, coil springs and dampers in the front. A Ford live axle with upper trailing arms, coil springs, and dampers made up the rear suspension. Drum brakes that measured eight inches, located in the front and back, kept the vehicle in the driver's control. The engine was a Ford 105E unit that produced nearly 40 horsepower, which could carry the car to speeds of about 100 mph. The engine did not produce much power, but much like the rest of the vehicle employed lightweight construction.

Over the proceeding eight years, many improvements were made to the G4, including various engine options being offered. The list of engines included a Ford 109E, 1.3 Ford Classic, Ford 1.6 X-Flow, and a 1.5-liter Ford Cortina GT powerplant.

When first introduced the G4 was available only as a convertible. With the introduction of the Series II G4 in 1963, a Coupe version became available. Basically, it was a hardtop fitted to the convertible. It had Perspex rear and side windows which helped keep the weight to a minimum.

Other changes adopted to the SII were a BMC rear axle which replaced the Ford live axle. The Series I had tail fins; the Series II did not. Disc brakes were available which greatly improved the car's performance.

In 1966 the Series II was replaced by the Series III. The most visual changes were the pop-up front headlight that when not in use, rested in the front bumper.

By 1969 the production of the G4 came to a close with production surpassing the 500 mark.

The Ginetta G4/R was the racing version of the G4 road cars. Powering the G4/R was a Ford 105E engine and clothed in glass fiber GT-style bodywork and fitted with an updated suspension comprising of coil springs in the front and a Ford axle in the rear.

by Dan Vaughan

The Ginetta Cars Company was created in 1958 by the four Walklett brothers, Bob, Ivor, Trevers, and Douglas. The Company was located in Woodbridge, Suffolk, England and its first offering was the G2 which was a kit car based on a tubular frame chassis, aluminum body, and comprised of Ford components. The G2 was followed by the G3 in 1959 and replaced by the G4 in 1961. The G2 and G3 were designed for competition whereas the G4 was intended as a road-going vehicle. The G4 was given a fiber-glass GT body style and a Ford 105E engine. The suspension and other components benefited from modern improvements. Production continued until 1969 with around 500 examples being constructed.

The G10 and G11 were produced during the early 1960's and powered by V8 engines courtesy of Ford and MGB. The next Ginetta vehicle was the G12 which brought with it a rather experimental configuration with the driver sitting in front of the motor. It was a fairly uncommon setup though a proven way of achieving excellent balance and weight distribution.

The G15 was introduced in 1967 and remained in production until 1974 with over 800 examples being produced. The vehicle had seating for two and was clothed in a fiberglass body bonded to a tube chassis. The G21 was introduced in 1970 and brought with it larger engines.

By the early 1970s, the demand for the Ginetta vehicles had increased and the decision was made to relocate to new factories. A suitable location was found in Sudbury, Suffolk.

During the 1980's the company reverted back to kit cars with their G26, G27, and G31. The G32 was a mid-engined car built completely by Ginetta. It was offered with a variety of four-cylinder engines in either coupe or convertible configuration. The G33 was similar to the G32 but outfitted with a potent eight-cylinder engine.

In 1989 the Walkletts sold the company; the new owners continued the production of the G20 and G33.

by Dan Vaughan