looking to buy a Ginetta G27

[Alexxtreme]

Hi Guys, my Quantum xtreme was written off over the weekend when someone cut across me at a junction :-(.... so I am now looking at replacing it and have always been keen on Ginetta and noticed a G27 for sale. Can anyone offer me any advice on what to look out for? It has a 1.8 zetec with a LSD and the interior looks well finished. I happy looking at the GRP bits etc but some inside knowledge on the chassis, suspension, drive line etc would be very useful.
What are they like to work on and with parts etc? I am OK with the spanner (picking up again from when I used to look after my own cars a few years ago ;-))
Thanks
Alex

[ginV8]

Every car is different so its really all about its build quality and how it feels and drives on the road. Any car can be made to drive well but body and chassis work is more fiddly. There are several G27 versions too some with separate sectional bodies early ones and others single mouldings. Try and get one with a hood otherwise you'll have to get one made from a club members pattern. Some have live axle and some independent which are simpler to maintain. H

[Alexxtreme]

Hi GinV8,
Thanks for your help!
This has a solid real axle with a LSD. I used to have a solid axle on an old Dutton I had years ago that I really did not like....!
Anything I should look out specifically? Will will ask about the body. It was built around 1999 if this helps.. pic of the underside uploaded
Alex



Every car is different so its really all about its build quality and how it feels and drives on the road. Any car can be made to drive well but body and chassis work is more fiddly. There are several G27 versions too some with separate sectional bodies early ones and others single mouldings. Try and get one with a hood otherwise you'll have to get one made from a club members pattern. Some have live axle and some independent which are simpler to maintain. H

[ginV8]

Every car is different so its really all about its build quality and how it feels and drives on the road. Any car can be made to drive well but body and chassis work is more fiddly. There are several G27 versions too some with separate sectional bodies early ones and others single mouldings. Try and get one with a hood otherwise you'll have to get one made from a club members pattern. Some have live axle and some independent which are simpler to maintain. H

[Alexxtreme]

Hi ginv8, can you see the pic above? Obviously the axle is solid as you can see... does this pic tell you anything else about the car? yes it has a roof as well as the hardtop though it is not finished (it needs the window which i understand is available..).

[ginV8]

Looks like the chassis is good but not painted? Could just be the picture? Is it road registered and had the IVA test? Rs bellhousing if alloy saves weight. If not it may cost you a lot of time and aggrow. Pop up lights?

[Alexxtreme]

The chassis is painted I have been told though there is some local surface rust.
The car has been had an Mot since 2000. Not sure about the bell housing.....
It does have popup head lights though
Alex

[RochdaleGT]

chassis looks grey powdercoated (or painted?) and in very clean and good nick!!!
nothing to critisize on a well engineered a 5-link setup on a live-axle, the longer the 4 links the better...and this one looks well made.

you cannot compare a rubbish-dutton with a ginetta.

all is depending on the price...a live axle g27 in very good nick should cost in a region of 3.5 to 5k


i would not trust any seller in terms of a LSD...

the pop-up lights are rubbish from the engeneering point of view, but if you are hadny with fibreglass you can convert it fixed 7" headlamps, like on the old G4´s

Body-parts (especially bonnets) not available anymore


how much is this?

Edited by RochdaleGT on Tuesday 20th October 22:42

[dandarez]

This one?

http://www.carandclassic.co.uk/car/C654524

[Alexxtreme]

That is the one. Plan to test drive it this weekend.
Have been told it has had a recent back axel overall but will check the receipts.
One concern is that I'm 6'1", will I fit in the car??
Cheers Alex

[dandarez]

It was on ebay previously but did not meet reserve (reached £5,600). Wonder what reserve was?
You'll have to guess!
link
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Ginetta-g27-/25209587093...

click or copy link then scroll down to find orig listing

[Alexxtreme]

Thanks! Interesting max price it reached....
Any thoughts on my height and this car?
Alex

[Alexxtreme]

I'm now the proud owner of a G27!

Alex

[dandarez]

Well done Alex.

Sorry I missed your post about your height (I'm 6ft 1 and fitting 'a few' Ginetta models is a problem, but most are fine. Obviously, you fit the G27 or you would not have purchased. It does look very clean in the pics, especially underneath which can be a problem with painted chassis tubes. That would be my first area of ensuring another coat of protection.

[Alexxtreme]

Thanks! Pics here https://picasaweb.google.com/108950503714571978236...

I fit the car OK ish however the my leg on the clutch side is a bit too close to the steering wheel for comfort. ATM I am looking to see if I can move the pedal box fwds around 20 to 25mm or so as this would make all the difference to my comfort... although it is still drivable for me as it is.

I did plan to paint the chassis... what would you advise? my thoughts were to locally take the loose paint off and then use something like the POR15 paint from Frost in grey to match the current colour.

Also did you waxoil the chassis as another preventative measure?

Cheers
Alex

[ginV8]

You realise you are now stuck with Ginettas for life! I think I'm on my 6th now. Most are similar underneath with similar parts used so easy to fix and maintain. Pop up lights may be a fiddle but the bonnet looks so much better than the S4 G27. You'll rarely use the lights too I guess.
Welcome to the Ginetta fold and start tinkering!

[ginV8]

Alex some Mates here in Yorkshire GOC are working on a G27 hardtop so they may know about the rear screen issues, Adapted G4 one I think. They also may want to see how your top fits the car as few are the same. The factory didn't make them until after the G27 moulds were sold on to the other company now making bloody Locatorfields with BMW engines??? Sadly he ruined the later non Ginetta G27 shape too to look like something from Max Power magazine which may be why few were sold.

[Alexxtreme]

I am starting to realize what great cars these are! There is an attention to detail that is just not there with my last car :-).
It also gets so much attention - even when parked up! Agreed the G27 S4 looks spoiled by that bonnet - what was the thought behind that.
You are right that I am starting to build a bit of a to-do list which includes this winter
- drive it before doing anything!
- sort out groaning from rear discs (could be hand brake mechanism)
- get it tuned - I think the previous owner played with the webbers and it does not run very well.
- touch-up the chassis paint
- lastly move the pedal box.

I am debating what to do with the hard top. My gut feel is that I can not see myself finishing it off and fitting it so I might sell it as it takes up too much room in the garage.
Cheers
Alex