Ginetta G26 - any experiences or opinions ?
Discussion
Fancy a G26 as a project. Anybody "been there and done that" recently ?
Any major pitfalls to watch out for ? I'm mostly concerned with bodywork - does anybody do panels or part-panels for these cars ?
What alternatives to the Pinto are feasible without hacking the bonnet about ?
Thanks.
Any major pitfalls to watch out for ? I'm mostly concerned with bodywork - does anybody do panels or part-panels for these cars ?
What alternatives to the Pinto are feasible without hacking the bonnet about ?
Thanks.
Haven't actually been there, but do know a tad about them. Bodywork is of course GRP, apart from the Fiesta doors, so apart from those rust obviously won't be a problem. Shouldn't be a problem with the chassis either if it's the galvanised version.
No idea if panels are available, but either the Ginetta owners club (www.ginettaownersclub.org) or Dare (run by the Walkletts who founded Ginetta and made the G26) should be able to tell you.
Mechanically, besides the usual stuff, check for knackered void bushes on the back axle, though this isn't a terminal problem as urethane repalcements are available and better anyway.
Don't think any alternatives to the Pinto are feasible without hacking the bonnet. In fact even the taller 2 litre fouled the bonnet when first fitted, requiring special engine mounts to drop it a touch.
And when it came to the V6, Ginetta came up with a completely different front end, producing what I think was the G29.
Best people to ask though are the owners club.
No idea if panels are available, but either the Ginetta owners club (www.ginettaownersclub.org) or Dare (run by the Walkletts who founded Ginetta and made the G26) should be able to tell you.
Mechanically, besides the usual stuff, check for knackered void bushes on the back axle, though this isn't a terminal problem as urethane repalcements are available and better anyway.
Don't think any alternatives to the Pinto are feasible without hacking the bonnet. In fact even the taller 2 litre fouled the bonnet when first fitted, requiring special engine mounts to drop it a touch.
And when it came to the V6, Ginetta came up with a completely different front end, producing what I think was the G29.
Best people to ask though are the owners club.
loads of ol 4 seater saloon G26's about now going cheap. Variations on the theme by the Walkletts were (not G29 - that was the Mazda rotary-engined Thundersports racer!) G28, G30 and G31 (these 3 are not as common as G26). The permutations were done to suit different tastes. The G28 was a 2plus2 and used a Ford 2.8V6. Quadruple choice came about with a G30 (the rear of a G26 with the front of a G28, and the G31 was the rear of a G28 with the front of a G26.
Clever or what!
Clever or what!
Holy thread necromancy! I know, but I wanted to ask something on similar lines.
I do like my Alfa a lot, but I do fancy owning a proper British, front-engined, rear-drive, fibreglass sports car at some point.
Thing is, I've got used to the convenience of four seats and a boot, and would only have room for one car anyway. I also need the engine to be of a managable size and fuel consumption, so ideally a 2-litre 'four'.
I made a shortlist, but seeing as though most of them had big thirsty Ford V6s, rusty chassis, or in the case of one (Lotus Elite), too many things to go wrong.
The only one left on the list is the Ginetta G26. A local builder used to use one to tow his trailer so I assume they're fairly reliable and practical. Can I fit a bike rack to the roof?
Am I right? Or is there anything I've overlooked? (and before you ask, I'm not a big fan of the Metisse, and no-one seems to have built one anyway).
I do like my Alfa a lot, but I do fancy owning a proper British, front-engined, rear-drive, fibreglass sports car at some point.
Thing is, I've got used to the convenience of four seats and a boot, and would only have room for one car anyway. I also need the engine to be of a managable size and fuel consumption, so ideally a 2-litre 'four'.
I made a shortlist, but seeing as though most of them had big thirsty Ford V6s, rusty chassis, or in the case of one (Lotus Elite), too many things to go wrong.
The only one left on the list is the Ginetta G26. A local builder used to use one to tow his trailer so I assume they're fairly reliable and practical. Can I fit a bike rack to the roof?
Am I right? Or is there anything I've overlooked? (and before you ask, I'm not a big fan of the Metisse, and no-one seems to have built one anyway).
Mr2Mike said:
I suspect a Zetec would fit in ok, and should mate up to the gear box fine as long as the correct clutch components are used.
I have a G31/pinto. I believe that a Duratec is a better option as the exhaust is on the same side as the pinto. Problems with the car in my experience have been door rust. These are Mk1 Fiesta and getting rare to replace. Very heavy steering at parking speeds - they really need power steering, I don't know what is involved in doing this. Maybe some Ford rack could be sourced.
Fragile seat reclining mechanism.
Rear axle bushes have to be replaced by Superflex or similar as the standard ones are very short lived.
The car is not really suited to tall people. I had to extend the steering by a wheel spacer, this caused resonance problems and the wheel vibrated a lot on poor surfaces.
There is a tendency for moisture accumulate in interior resulting in misted up windows, soggy carpets, mould.
Plus points, great handling, no structural rust, rarity.
mikeg15 said:
Mr2Mike said:
I suspect a Zetec would fit in ok, and should mate up to the gear box fine as long as the correct clutch components are used.
I have a G31/pinto. I believe that a Duratec is a better option as the exhaust is on the same side as the pinto. Problems with the car in my experience have been door rust. These are Mk1 Fiesta and getting rare to replace. Very heavy steering at parking speeds - they really need power steering, I don't know what is involved in doing this. Maybe some Ford rack could be sourced.
Fragile seat reclining mechanism.
Rear axle bushes have to be replaced by Superflex or similar as the standard ones are very short lived.
The car is not really suited to tall people. I had to extend the steering by a wheel spacer, this caused resonance problems and the wheel vibrated a lot on poor surfaces.
There is a tendency for moisture accumulate in interior resulting in misted up windows, soggy carpets, mould.
Plus points, great handling, no structural rust, rarity.
How big is the boot and is the roof tough enough to take a roofrack for bikes?
The boot is quite large but with a fairly narrow opening - it'll hold a lot of small things but getting anything large in would be difficult. Golf clubs OK I guess.
I carried bikes using one of those devices which clamped on to the tow bar. I'd think the roof is strong but may not have suitable attachment points for a roof rack.
Oh and one last point, if you get a 26, check the seatbelt retractors and mounts. They are hidden behind panelling and can corrode badly.
I carried bikes using one of those devices which clamped on to the tow bar. I'd think the roof is strong but may not have suitable attachment points for a roof rack.
Oh and one last point, if you get a 26, check the seatbelt retractors and mounts. They are hidden behind panelling and can corrode badly.
Hi
I am currently restoring my G26 if you want power steering I think a 2.3 cortina had power steering rack so that could be fitted I guess
and the seatbelt mounts are badly coroded in mine
check the condition of the front top wishbone bolt as both mine had rusted solid
a good practical car and fun wen you want it to be
Dan
I am currently restoring my G26 if you want power steering I think a 2.3 cortina had power steering rack so that could be fitted I guess
and the seatbelt mounts are badly coroded in mine
check the condition of the front top wishbone bolt as both mine had rusted solid
a good practical car and fun wen you want it to be
Dan
If they are the same as the G32, which it looks like they are, they are from either a Renault 12 (not all versions) or an Alpine A310.
You can buy them here:
http://www.simon-auto.de/
Geoff
You can buy them here:
http://www.simon-auto.de/
Geoff
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