G26 better than G33 ... ?
Discussion
This might raise a few eyebrows but I'm just going to come out and say it ...
I've just bought a G33 and, honestly, I'm worried that it might actually be rubbish ... Not only that but, horror of horrors, I'm actually beginning to think that I prefer my trusty G26.
Let me explain....
I get the G33. It was a smart, opportunistic, evolution of the G27 V8 racer. No doubt rushed into production way ahead of due development, probably decades after its true sell-by date, but hey, it's got some great angles and it sounds wonderful.
But conceptually, the G26 just beats it hands-down. I mean, this was a 4-seater sports saloon, that you could build at home, with Fiesta doors, a galvanised chassis, which is both solid and reasonably sporty (-ish), selling for miles less than anything else at the time (not to even begin to mention now ... G33 GBP 12k; G26 err, GBP 1k max?). And you can get into the G26. And see out of it. And it has wind down windows. And other people can get into the car with you, and come places with you. Surely that's a whole lot of better?
How can this be? Is it simply that, being sold in kit form, the G26 is always going to be a Kit Car - whereas the 33 was a Sports Car? Are we really that shallow? Or is external beauty that beguiling?
From where I'm standing, the answer seems to be yes on both counts.
But I've got one of each, and I'm tempted to say the G26 is the better car.
I've just bought a G33 and, honestly, I'm worried that it might actually be rubbish ... Not only that but, horror of horrors, I'm actually beginning to think that I prefer my trusty G26.
Let me explain....
I get the G33. It was a smart, opportunistic, evolution of the G27 V8 racer. No doubt rushed into production way ahead of due development, probably decades after its true sell-by date, but hey, it's got some great angles and it sounds wonderful.
But conceptually, the G26 just beats it hands-down. I mean, this was a 4-seater sports saloon, that you could build at home, with Fiesta doors, a galvanised chassis, which is both solid and reasonably sporty (-ish), selling for miles less than anything else at the time (not to even begin to mention now ... G33 GBP 12k; G26 err, GBP 1k max?). And you can get into the G26. And see out of it. And it has wind down windows. And other people can get into the car with you, and come places with you. Surely that's a whole lot of better?
How can this be? Is it simply that, being sold in kit form, the G26 is always going to be a Kit Car - whereas the 33 was a Sports Car? Are we really that shallow? Or is external beauty that beguiling?
From where I'm standing, the answer seems to be yes on both counts.
But I've got one of each, and I'm tempted to say the G26 is the better car.
No one ever said the G33 was not flawed, but the market value has to tell you something about how the cars are perceived so its not really a valid comparison. The G33 pushes a lot of buttons the G26 does not as well:
Light weight 200 BHP alloy V8 engine
Fantastic soundtrack
Fully rose jointed adjustable independent twin wishbone suspension
Limited slip Diff
Ford Cosworth braking system
Glorious curvy body
Factory built with new components (well mostly anyway...)
No one ever bough a G33 for practical reasons- if you wanted all the creature comforts a Vauxhall Calibra turbo was around the same price at the time, and what are they worth now, even if you can find one? If your G33 handling is poor, its most likely set up badly (there are a LOT of adjustments) , has the wrong tyres, or the bushes / rose joints need replacing.
Light weight 200 BHP alloy V8 engine
Fantastic soundtrack
Fully rose jointed adjustable independent twin wishbone suspension
Limited slip Diff
Ford Cosworth braking system
Glorious curvy body
Factory built with new components (well mostly anyway...)
No one ever bough a G33 for practical reasons- if you wanted all the creature comforts a Vauxhall Calibra turbo was around the same price at the time, and what are they worth now, even if you can find one? If your G33 handling is poor, its most likely set up badly (there are a LOT of adjustments) , has the wrong tyres, or the bushes / rose joints need replacing.
Edited by blitzracing on Wednesday 22 October 18:13
.... but the G32 has them both beat and arguably the best car that Ginetta ever produced by far.
Central Locking - electric windows - light manageable steering - good sized boot - good economy - outstanding handling. galvanised chassis - rarer than a rare thing - mid engine - simple mechanicals etc. etc. etc.
It's small wonder why owners keep hold of G32's for such long periods as they are quite simply superb.
Central Locking - electric windows - light manageable steering - good sized boot - good economy - outstanding handling. galvanised chassis - rarer than a rare thing - mid engine - simple mechanicals etc. etc. etc.
It's small wonder why owners keep hold of G32's for such long periods as they are quite simply superb.
Darkspeed said:
.... but the G32 has them both beat and arguably the best car that Ginetta ever produced by far.
Central Locking - electric windows - light manageable steering - good sized boot - good economy - outstanding handling. galvanised chassis - rarer than a rare thing - mid engine - simple mechanicals etc. etc. etc.
It's small wonder why owners keep hold of G32's for such long periods as they are quite simply superb.
Ahh, but you would say that Andy because you're just about to sell yours! Central Locking - electric windows - light manageable steering - good sized boot - good economy - outstanding handling. galvanised chassis - rarer than a rare thing - mid engine - simple mechanicals etc. etc. etc.
It's small wonder why owners keep hold of G32's for such long periods as they are quite simply superb.
However, when you look at the miles one Trevor Pyman has clocked up in his G32 I think you could be right.
Having been in more than one of them, and tempted, very tempted - and in the opposition at the time, the rust bucket MR2, we all know which came out on top in the end.
Yes, a G32 is probably the Ginetta to go for now. Right price, and a lot going for it.
A G26, unless 'looked after' - and I mean 'looked after' - will be hard work.
A G33, very nice, but I'd rather keep the money difference and go for a 32.
Underrated car by those who don't know. And there are plenty of them about (who don't know).
dandarez said:
Ahh, but you would say that Andy because you're just about to sell yours!
That obvious 
That said, my appreciation for what a great car it is, is very sincere, surprised the hell out of me how good it is. And not put mine up for sale yet although I keep threatening and if I can finanace the next stage of a project and keep it....... I will.
I'm not convinced that the G26, G33 and G32 are comparable to each other. Each is a different concept executed differently with totally different pros and cons.
I bought a G33, so you know which camp I am in, the G26 was never even a consideration even when I was looking for a 2+2 sports car (I bought an Alpine GTA Turbo) fro me the G33 has 3 key things that the others don't have
V8 soundtrack and performance to match (I did 151mph in mine and it would match a Ferrari 355 from 0-90/100mph)
Great looks, like a period race car
fully adjustable suspension as Blitz says with great handling when set up
Convertible - ok thats 4 points
Rover V8 can be easily enhanced to give much more power - ok thats 5
But its not an everyday driver, (its almost impossible to stop them from leaking) G26 and G32 are probably better suited to that, but IMO G26 really shows its age.
OP - which G33 did you buy? I regret selling mine, nothing I have had since gives the experience of the G33 on a dry day with traffic free roads. I drove mine to Le Mans every year, a couple of times catching the ferry to Spain and driving over the Pyrenees then taking the D roads up through France. The car was amazing, much less tiring than my Tuscan and just as quick point to point. Ok when it poured with rain for 2 days it was less fun but has generated some great pub tales!
I bought a G33, so you know which camp I am in, the G26 was never even a consideration even when I was looking for a 2+2 sports car (I bought an Alpine GTA Turbo) fro me the G33 has 3 key things that the others don't have
V8 soundtrack and performance to match (I did 151mph in mine and it would match a Ferrari 355 from 0-90/100mph)
Great looks, like a period race car
fully adjustable suspension as Blitz says with great handling when set up
Convertible - ok thats 4 points
Rover V8 can be easily enhanced to give much more power - ok thats 5
But its not an everyday driver, (its almost impossible to stop them from leaking) G26 and G32 are probably better suited to that, but IMO G26 really shows its age.
OP - which G33 did you buy? I regret selling mine, nothing I have had since gives the experience of the G33 on a dry day with traffic free roads. I drove mine to Le Mans every year, a couple of times catching the ferry to Spain and driving over the Pyrenees then taking the D roads up through France. The car was amazing, much less tiring than my Tuscan and just as quick point to point. Ok when it poured with rain for 2 days it was less fun but has generated some great pub tales!
SimonV8ster said:
Its a bit like comparing a Corvette, MR2 and a Ford Sierra !!
All totally different and each to serve different circumstances/preferences.
Shall we have a G33 photo fest ??!!
Seems like a planAll totally different and each to serve different circumstances/preferences.
Shall we have a G33 photo fest ??!!
But my hard drive with all my pics on just died
Sending it off for recovery so watch this space
ETA found some on my work laptop
Edited by blueg33 on Sunday 26th October 15:37
![](http://thumbsnap.com/sc/5Srx6VJd.jpg[/img]</a> <a href="http://thumbsnap.com/D22DH71f" Target="_blank">[img]http://thumbsnap.com/sc/D22DH71f.jpg)
SimonV8ster said:
I must admit i always regret not buying an excellent example of a G32. Body had been stripped and all fibreglass was now perfect, beautiful ruby red paintwork, think it was only 2.5K and had only been owned by about 3 people in its life. Seems daft now.
Was that Scott Baillie's? Now 'that' was a lovely G32.
But if you want to kick yourself, I did! this one was in a MG Dealers for about 1500 quid.
It sold ...very fast!
The more you look at some of these 'older' Ginettas, is it me, but they are aging better than ever?
Les's yellow immaculate G33 takes me back to that Autocar front cover... and that was 23 years ago!
dandarez said:
Was that Scott Baillie's? Now 'that' was a lovely G32.
But if you want to kick yourself, I did! this one was in a MG Dealers for about 1500 quid.
It sold ...very fast!
The more you look at some of these 'older' Ginettas, is it me, but they are aging better than ever?
Les's yellow immaculate G33 takes me back to that Autocar front cover... and that was 23 years ago!
Now that's a shiney G32!But if you want to kick yourself, I did! this one was in a MG Dealers for about 1500 quid.
It sold ...very fast!
The more you look at some of these 'older' Ginettas, is it me, but they are aging better than ever?
Les's yellow immaculate G33 takes me back to that Autocar front cover... and that was 23 years ago!
Edited by lezdix on Thursday 30th October 17:08
Heres my 10ps worth
This is the bit that Im proud of- completely reworked interior, including new seats from scratch, trying very hard to get away from that kit car look with bits of unstuck carpet and odd switches. The only bit I really have problems with is the door bins- I need to make some decent mouldings to go around the gap.
This is the bit that Im proud of- completely reworked interior, including new seats from scratch, trying very hard to get away from that kit car look with bits of unstuck carpet and odd switches. The only bit I really have problems with is the door bins- I need to make some decent mouldings to go around the gap.
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