G4 info

[P50]

Ok, I've been pondering and pondering. Then a bit more pondering.

Thinking of pulling the trigger on a new G4. If there was a S/H machine around I'd consider it but they are very thin on the ground. As in none for sale even close to what I want.

Whilst investment wise a 60's one would be better news I want a car to use. I have enough old machines that play up so in this instance would prefer a brand new turn key injection machine. I want a coupe or hardtop roadster. LWB with the wider rear body which is pretty much all that are being built.

So to wheels. Miniltes naturally. Dare offer 7" rear and 6" front. However I've noticed some have what seems like 8" at the back. Am I correct? They are significantly wider than a 7. What tyres? I think I'll plump for A048R's. Can I get a 7" wheel on the front to balance it more? The one in the pic looks like it's on 6" on the front still. I like the wide wheeled look even if they do increase unsprung weight etc...

Are the new chassis all round tube? I will get mine galvanised as it seems they can rot at the rear lower sill area after 10 odd years if used in the wet etc. I'm 5"7' so could fit in a SWB but think the LWB is more balanced looking plus I would prefer the room anyway. Engine wise standard will do me as I do not intend to track/race it. I've had plenty of "cammy" race bread motors on the road and in this instance simply want a tractable contraption. I can do without emission problems, heavy fuel consumption, heavy/snappy clutches and a rough idle with peaky torque/power. They're plenty fast out the box.

Any further tips etc more than welcome... my biggest problem is the colour!

Thx

Edited by P50 on Saturday 1st June 06:42

Edited by P50 on Saturday 1st June 06:43

[geeeman]

P50 said:

Ok, I've been pondering and pondering. Then a bit more pondering.

Thinking of pulling the trigger on a new G4. If there was a S/H machine around I'd consider it but they are very thin on the ground. As in none for sale even close to what I want.

Whilst investment wise a 60's one would be better news I want a car to use. I have enough old machines that play up so in this instance would prefer a brand new turn key injection machine. I want a coupe or hardtop roadster. LWB with the wider rear body which is pretty much all that are being built.

So to wheels. Miniltes naturally. Dare offer 7" rear and 6" front. However I've noticed some have what seems like 8" at the back. Am I correct? They are significantly wider than a 7. What tyres? I think I'll plump for A048R's. Can I get a 7" wheel on the front to balance it more? The one in the pic looks like it's on 6" on the front still. I like the wide wheeled look even if they do increase unsprung weight etc...

Are the new chassis all round tube? I will get mine galvanised as it seems they can rot at the rear lower sill area after 10 odd years if used in the wet etc. I'm 5"7' so could fit in a SWB but think the LWB is more balanced looking plus I would prefer the room anyway. Engine wise standard will do me as I do not intend to track/race it. I've had plenty of "cammy" race bread motors on the road and in this instance simply want a tractable contraption. I can do without emission problems, heavy fuel consumption, heavy/snappy clutches and a rough idle with peaky torque/power. They're plenty fast out the box.

Any further tips etc more than welcome... my biggest problem is the colour!

Thx

Edited by P50 on Saturday 1st June 06:42

Edited by P50 on Saturday 1st June 06:43

hello!

have you spoken to Dare yet? not sure what the build time would be for a new G4.
All Dare Chassis are square tube, approx car weight around 660 kgs with zetec.(duratec not an option)

Not aware of any that run 8 inch rears. It may be possible with some arch widening, i think Mark Walklett was planning this for his G4R ( unlike 60s round tube G4Rs that had IRS and twincam engine, Dare G4R denotes a car built for racing primarily - race zetec, lsd, uprated suspension etc )

7s on the front, may be possible with different offset?
yokohamas are a good choice on the G4

as for colour, thats a difficult choice if getting a new build! personally i think they look best in metallics.
Dare have also done a couple of G12s (duratec) for the road, at 5'7 you should fit in there too

my old G4

[P50]

geeeman said:

hello!

have you spoken to Dare yet? not sure what the build time would be for a new G4.
All Dare Chassis are square tube, approx car weight around 660 kgs with zetec.(duratec not an option)

Not aware of any that run 8 inch rears. It may be possible with some arch widening, i think Mark Walklett was planning this for his G4R ( unlike 60s round tube G4Rs that had IRS and twincam engine, Dare G4R denotes a car built for racing primarily - race zetec, lsd, uprated suspension etc )

7s on the front, may be possible with different offset?
yokohamas are a good choice on the G4

as for colour, thats a difficult choice if getting a new build! personally i think they look best in metallics.
Dare have also done a couple of G12s (duratec) for the road, at 5'7 you should fit in there too

my old G4

Thanks.

I actually signed on the dotted yesterday and in a few months will have a new out the box G4.

These days spec wise there's little to choose. Just internal/external colour really. As it's going to be a keeper I want my chassis galvanised. Yokos on 7"s rear 6"s front.

I was impressed by the general build etc of the product. This is a very left field purchase for me as there is plenty of machines out there new or not for the money. But I've measured 15 times and cut once. A G4 ticks all boxes for me. A used LWB coupe would have fitted the bill but there are simply none for sale. My research shows that a S/H car seems to be priced at their new cost give or take. As time goes on the price goes up and that's where the discount appears. Much like a steel sports classic Rolex. Most owners do not sell their cars. If they do come up for sale they go abroad...

I will opt for a black interior. See no point in leather as the modern vinyls of such good quality. Plus looking at S1 Elises for example the leather seems to go shiny/baggy and can wear quite badly. I obviously did consider a mint S1 Elise which would have saved me thousands but it is not a 60's racing car on the road. It's a 90's sports car. All be it a superb "game changing" machine. It's just not raw enough for me.

The G12 whilst excellent was £15k more so I a no no. Plus I honestly prefer the G4. I think the fact that I still could and did buy a brand new G4 assembled at the original designers works was a big factor. Imagine being able to go Cooper Car Co or Jaguar's competition dept on a Saturday morn in June '13 and order a brand new track ready Mk1 S or lightweight E Type.

A new G4 fundamentally remains true to a 60's machine in all areas. I have a few classic cars which require constant fettling thus grazed knuckles and did not want a million owner from new thrashed to death 60's G4 on carbs. A turn key new machine fits my remit.

Whilst this is not a consideration for many I do think it's important to support British industry no matter how much it gets slated generally. The Yanks do tend to buy there own cars. So do the French and Germans. Our mainstream car industry went bust as we all know but the UK's still really good at the specialist stuff. My hard earned going into a Brit business has to be a good thing..

I agree metallics do suit the G4. I'll prob go for some kind of blue.

Edited by P50 on Sunday 2nd June 06:57

[hidetheelephants]

What's the sticker price for one of these? They're lovely!

[GTRene]

lovely indeed.

[P50]

hidetheelephants said:

What's the sticker price for one of these? They're lovely!

27k on the road. Not too bad all told. The prices of classic cars have gone potty and that sort of money actually buys not too much really tasty machinery. An ex LHD non matching number MGA or Healey from the States is that sort of money as a starter if restored OK.

I think a G4 is the classic car/race world's best kept secret...

Don't tell anyone!

[lmasarati]

A good choice indeed.
Welcome aboard.

[GTRene]

Dare/Ginetta G4
Ginetta G40R

I think the G4 would be more "basic" ?

the G40R would be a tiny bit more luxe I guess?
both are about the same price, the G40R is also just under 30K I believe.

the G4 is a timeless beauty, wonder which drive's better/faster around a track with the same power to weight.

[P50]

GTRene said:

Dare/Ginetta G4
Ginetta G40R

I think the G4 would be more "basic" ?

the G40R would be a tiny bit more luxe I guess?
both are about the same price, the G40R is also just under 30K I believe.

the G4 is a timeless beauty, wonder which drive's better/faster around a track with the same power to weight.

I didn't consider a G40R as it's not been around for over 50 years..

I'm sure it's a fine machine in all respects but it's that gorgeous styling and old skool ambience that lured the G4 to me.

[GTRene]

I'll agree with that, I never forget that tv broadcast with Vicky

http://youtu.be/nfxZbB0PIZg

[P50]

GTRene said:

I'll agree with that, I never forget that tv broadcast with Vicky

http://youtu.be/nfxZbB0PIZg

Indeed. She sings nothing but very high praise for it. One of the reasons why I done the business..

IMHO if you don't like a G4 there's something seriously wrong with you! May even shake it down on a non m-way run down to the med in autumn. Assuming it's ready.

[dareG4]

I bought one new in 2000 and have so far done more than 45000 miles in it.
There has been no major issues apart from cracked rear upper shock absorber mounts that needed welding and a leaking radiator.
The Weber Alpha injection system has needed attention from time to time.
I just love the car and intend to keep it for several years to come.

[P50]

dareG4 said:

I bought one new in 2000 and have so far done more than 45000 miles in it.
There has been no major issues apart from cracked rear upper shock absorber mounts that needed welding and a leaking radiator.
The Weber Alpha injection system has needed attention from time to time.
I just love the car and intend to keep it for several years to come.

I intend to be buried in mine.

So much so I am having the chassis galvanised... After 50 odd years I'd like to think they've pretty much sorted the thing! Might get the rear shock mounts beefed up a bit actually prior to the dip..

I bought a new Morgan 4/4 in 2000 and sold a Morgan 4/4 in 2000. Didn't deliver but they are a lot better now.

The G4 is simply a giant slayer. I shall enjoy owning this car immensly. I want to drive it to Morroco and have it shipped to the States for a tour.

Watch our for 21CUM at some point (a plate I picked up some time back which has been on retention for a while and needs somewhere to go!).



My only quandry is colour. I fancy going a bit off the wall and going for Audi Purple Velvet! Although my pal says I should go for a 60's hue.

Sod it I think purple will work! Long time dead...

[Lightningman]

I think you've made a great choice P50, based on what you've said you're looking for and your criteria.

Have they given you timescales?

[P50]

Lightningman said:

I think you've made a great choice P50, based on what you've said you're looking for and your criteria.

Have they given you timescales?

There's orders for Japanese G12's to be assembled. But they can certainly have a few cars on the go at the same time.

That aside it will take 4-5 months to build one. So it's a case of when they get the chassis out the stores and get it galvanised..

I suspect sooner than later..

[geeeman]

seen a dark purplish G12 in build at dare , looks quite nice, but think lighter colours suit the G4

regarding spec, what state of tune will the engine be?
Other options to consider, beefier roll-over bar, lsd, hydraulic clutch with pendant pedals (this may be standard now)

although i love my 60s G4, the Dare is a great compromise in terms of looks and practicality


Oh and would be great to see another G4 in London.. mine gets a bit lonely

Edited by geeeman on Tuesday 4th June 12:42

[GTRene]

you own this one Geeman?
looks lovely and indeed I guess for the G4 they come best in a light color.



this picture (although I'm not a fan of orange) looks very nice, I also like those extra cooling/vents.



also not such fan of yellow, but sometimes at least on pictures, it can look ok.

[AussG4]

Thanks for the photos Rene. I am yet to see any colour that doesn't suit the G4!

[Lightningman]

The orange one....

[geeeman]

hi Rene,
yes that was my 2nd Dare, sold to switzerland 2 years ago, when i bought the '63 for restoration.
i thought about keeping both, but even a die-hard ginetta fan like me couldnt justify that! Hes my G4 if you havnt seen it Mr P50, its aston sage green as used on the prototype racers



- the yellow Dare is a nice spec G4, note the uprated roll-over bar, and G4R style rear cut-outs in the arches. (wasnt it for sale recently?)