Ginetta G31

[Darkspeed]

I am thinking of buying one having seen the one for sale in the classifieds - although white does not appeal and from what I have read the price appears a bit on the high side. Anyway that said what are the best places to key an eye on to find one, I will be looking hear and on ebay but anywhere else?

Does the owners club mag have more cars for sale than the website classifieds?

Thanks

Andrew

[dandarez]

A bit thinner on the ground than G26s but 1200 sounds too high, especially as it needs work (as will most, if not all!).

Ave price seems to be around 4-500 pounds.

Last year recall seeing in GOC Newsmag ads (don't know whether it sold, but I suspect it must have!) there was a brand new G31 never completed, the full kit, everything, sprayed, trimmed, you name it (cost around 6 grand if I recall) and the seller only wanted a grand to clear it!

Another place to look is in the classifieds of the main kit car mags (online too, inc Total Kit Car).

[Darkspeed]

I did notice the low numbers manufactured on the Ginetta OC site, which I guess was a reflection of the car popularity when new, never mind now so it may be a task to find the right one, however the choice of 2+2's is limited when looking for something a bit out of the ordinary unless classic rust is your thing.

Any worthwhile reading available on them to get an idea on the known weaknesses apart from the aesthetics's ;-)

Thanks for the advice

Andrew

[Darkspeed]

Well I took the plunge and bought a G31 - was not £500 but it was less than a £1000.
The specification is quite interesting - Vented discs with 4 pots, braided hoses, bias pedal box, LSD, polybushed, adjustable spax. The engine is more interesting in that it has Turbo Technics plenum sat on top of a modified Weber 28/32 TLDM carb sealed for a blow through Turbo application. There appears to be a high pressure pump fitted and a fuel pressure regulator with plenum pressure connection. It also looks like there was room for an intercooler at some point as the rad has been moved to the very front of the nose with twin fans.

There is no turbo on the car its running a standard tubular 4 branch. Engine is a late model 205 block EFI type.

I will be removing the carb to replace with a 38DGAS for the time being whilst I try and find a bit more info on the car.

As G31's are pretty thin on the ground anyway I figure that this car must be known of in Ginetta circles especially if as I suspect it had a turbo installation from a Turbo Technics XR2 installation. This may also explain the RS cosworth bonnet vents that have been fitted

I'm hoping that it might ring some bells with someone so that I can get a bit more of the cars history.

Andrew

[Snapper7]

Are you going to post some pictures

[Darkspeed]

I will take a few tomorrow and post them.

Andrew

[Darkspeed]

A few snaps of the car - other mods are a larger rear spoiler and the use of SD1? tail light clusters.

Anyone here know if the 87xxx chassis number first digits refer to the year of manufacture of the kit?

The bonnet is painted silver on the underside and there is heat shield material fixed to it in the exhaust area giving further evidence of a turbo install at some point.

Other than a few electrical issues with connections stopping a headlight working and number plate lights it all seems good to go for an MOT next week.












I am beginning to think that they are all white

Andrew

Edited by Darkspeed on Monday 25th August 16:58

[timg4d]

This car is well known - it had a 2 litre Cosworth turbo in it and went very well. I think Mick Mooring competed in it a few times. It was then owned by Steve Fidler (primarily for towing his G21) and then went to someone who was primarily interested in the engine.

[Darkspeed]

Thanks for the info - car has been off the road for 12 months - I bought off a guy in north Cheshire and I think the previous owner was in Scnthorpe.

That confirms my thoughts on it having a past turbo installation but as it had a Sierra Cosworth in it this now raises the questions about the history of the TT XR2 hybrid half a Pinto Turbo installation?

I would imagine that the handling might have been interesting with all that power and such a sort wheelbase.

Hopefully with a bit of hunting I will be able to find out what the front discs are off.

Andrew

[aaronfrench]

Hey, I too am mad enough to actually want a G31! If you ever get bored with yours, or happen to come across any others would appreciate it if you let me know...

[nicktowe]

Every now and then they pop up on ebay

[Darkspeed]

Plenty of G26's crop up on e-bay on there way to being broken or to languish in someones front garden whilst the interiors rot away, but G31's are a little harder to find - I would estimate that only a couple of dozen are actually left running now. And are now at a price where most are an uneconomical proposition unless you carry out all the work yourself - you also have to have an appreciation for the quirky because the car almost works in a an aesthetic sense but its no Lotus.

The biggest problem is putting a price on a G31 - If you fancy a project then the one at S&S would be a good start but the price needs some significant haggling on.

As a cheap project though I would not write off a G26 as I have seen some very nice ones - trouble is that they are unfortunately devalued and out numbered by the basket cases which is a shame.


Andrew

[ginV8]

Darkspeed I think your Car was used by a chap who worked in York for a while
after SF and Shorpe. It still had the Pinto Turbo in then and SF robbed the Cossie.
Trevor Pyman in the Club or Mick Mooring (Ex G O Club Chairman)will have all the early History and Mick used it to tow his Ginetta G17 and both were seen at most GOC events in the 80'-90's. I have a few Pictures of it somewhere but it always had a Private number Plate when Mick had it.
H

[Darkspeed]

I have spoken with Steve and he sold it with the Cossy in. As the Post above, it was bought by a chap soley for the engine which was going into a Triumph stag. I have the history of the car up until about 2005 when Steve sold it but I have contacted the owner who had the car in 2006 with the Pinto turbo in it who I hope can shed some light on how that engine ended up in it and what it went like.

Private Plate RAT***** is now on a Hyundai Goetz so HPI tells me - If there are pictures about of the car it would be great to get hold of some - I understand it had some large stickers on it at some point.

Cheers

Andrew

[Prolex-UK]

Remember this when Mick had it..........twas rather quick

[Darkspeed]

A rather sheddy G31 described G32+2! on E-bay at present - buy it now is a bit optimistic I think maybe one to many zero's got added.

Linky

Interesting chin spoiler - can anyone confirm if thats similar to one produced for the cars by a club member at some stage?

Cheers

Andrew

[dandarez]

Darkspeed said:

A rather sheddy G31 described G32+2! on E-bay at present - buy it now is a bit optimistic I think maybe one to many zero's got added.

Linky

Interesting chin spoiler - can anyone confirm if thats similar to one produced for the cars by a club member at some stage?

Cheers

Andrew

Only 70 made. And this must be the worst of all of them! £100 tops.

AND there's another in classifieds on here, for a grand. Looks like it's on stilts. Not worth half asking price. Where have all the nice ones gone?

Edited by dandarez on Tuesday 14th October 01:08

[Darkspeed]

If the quality of the G31's that are left are taking a bit of a nose dive - G26's are still well on the side.

Early Batman or Naturally aspirated Mad max

looks like petrol will have run dry before the wedges start getting appreciated.

Andy

[dandarez]

obviously couldn't get the pop-up headlights to work so thought...
I know, we'll do a little mod

[Darkspeed]

WOW - £310 for the Shed and £400 for the Batmobile - No wonder you cant get a G4 for under 10K....