Ginetta G40 has the limelight at Silverstone 24 hours
Discussion
Great race - well it was up to 23hours when I last looked.
Not for Loti at that point though.
Works yellow and green GT4 Evora... was then in 45th place.
Car of the race has the be the tiny Ginetta G40.
Was still up in the top 10 runners after 23hrs with Tomlinson taking some of the stints!!
Even in front of the G50s!
Oh dear Lotus. Stick to the concept cars
Not for Loti at that point though.
Works yellow and green GT4 Evora... was then in 45th place.
Car of the race has the be the tiny Ginetta G40.
Was still up in the top 10 runners after 23hrs with Tomlinson taking some of the stints!!
Even in front of the G50s!
Oh dear Lotus. Stick to the concept cars
Edited by dandarez on Sunday 3rd October 20:10
surrey7er said:
I am surprised Ginetta dont have more fans here on PH, I think they are fab!
For some reason many PH'rs and UK petrolheads look down on Ginetta, maybe its because of some of the not so pretty kit cars of the 1980's. They certainly dont understand how well they can handle. On my Le Mans trips with mates the G33 often surprised them ceratinly a Porsche 996 C2S couldn't keep up until speeds were over 100mph especially on windy bits (the driver commented about the speed through the bends) and the Ferrari 355 wasn't quicker until nearly 100 too.Selling the G33 was eye opening. Only one enquiry from the UK and he said I was asking too much, 7 enquiries from Germany and they all raved about the car, Ginetta and were happy to pay the price. The car went to a good new owner in Germany, and I am pleased that he has it.
I don't think it is a case of people looking down on them. Many people don't even know that they exist, those that do think they only make road cars. Very few people have ever seen a Ginetta and many of those that have wouldn't know what it was anyway. Until Ginetta start getting them out on the road this will never change
Snapper7 said:
I don't think it is a case of people looking down on them. Many people don't even know that they exist, those that do think they only make road cars. Very few people have ever seen a Ginetta and many of those that have wouldn't know what it was anyway. Until Ginetta start getting them out on the road this will never change
Errrr excuse me there's hundreds out on the roads there have been for 50 or so years !qdos said:
Snapper7 said:
I don't think it is a case of people looking down on them. Many people don't even know that they exist, those that do think they only make road cars. Very few people have ever seen a Ginetta and many of those that have wouldn't know what it was anyway. Until Ginetta start getting them out on the road this will never change
Errrr excuse me there's hundreds out on the roads there have been for 50 or so years !I look out for Ginettas and know what to look for, the public just think "another kit car". You need many 1000's of cars on the road for there to be any public awareness
blueg33 said:
surrey7er said:
I am surprised Ginetta dont have more fans here on PH, I think they are fab!
For some reason many PH'rs and UK petrolheads look down on Ginetta, maybe its because of some of the not so pretty kit cars of the 1980's. They certainly dont understand how well they can handle. On my Le Mans trips with mates the G33 often surprised them ceratinly a Porsche 996 C2S couldn't keep up until speeds were over 100mph especially on windy bits (the driver commented about the speed through the bends) and the Ferrari 355 wasn't quicker until nearly 100 too.Selling the G33 was eye opening. Only one enquiry from the UK and he said I was asking too much, 7 enquiries from Germany and they all raved about the car, Ginetta and were happy to pay the price. The car went to a good new owner in Germany, and I am pleased that he has it.
qdos said:
Snapper7 said:
I don't think it is a case of people looking down on them. Many people don't even know that they exist, those that do think they only make road cars. Very few people have ever seen a Ginetta and many of those that have wouldn't know what it was anyway. Until Ginetta start getting them out on the road this will never change
Errrr excuse me there's hundreds out on the roads there have been for 50 or so years !i agree cars must be tucked away in garages and owners maybe not so keen on getting them out or on having meets/gatherings etc
for example marcos cars made only some 600 or less cars over 50 years and u see 10+ marcos often at meets or club events or at a circuit.
my G4 was often the only G4 present at events i went to....
also as many ginettas were competition cars they are seen more at circuits rather than at car shows or meets etc where they may get a large audience
i think it really helps to have an active club who encourage owners to go to popular motoring events and have an active social scene
for example marcos cars made only some 600 or less cars over 50 years and u see 10+ marcos often at meets or club events or at a circuit.
my G4 was often the only G4 present at events i went to....
also as many ginettas were competition cars they are seen more at circuits rather than at car shows or meets etc where they may get a large audience
i think it really helps to have an active club who encourage owners to go to popular motoring events and have an active social scene
geeeman said:
i agree cars must be tucked away in garages and owners maybe not so keen on getting them out or on having meets/gatherings etc
for example marcos cars made only some 600 or less cars over 50 years and u see 10+ marcos often at meets or club events or at a circuit.
my G4 was often the only G4 present at events i went to....
also as many ginettas were competition cars they are seen more at circuits rather than at car shows or meets etc where they may get a large audience
i think it really helps to have an active club who encourage owners to go to popular motoring events and have an active social scene
I see many more Marco's and Bristols on the road than Ginettas.for example marcos cars made only some 600 or less cars over 50 years and u see 10+ marcos often at meets or club events or at a circuit.
my G4 was often the only G4 present at events i went to....
also as many ginettas were competition cars they are seen more at circuits rather than at car shows or meets etc where they may get a large audience
i think it really helps to have an active club who encourage owners to go to popular motoring events and have an active social scene
geeeman said:
i agree cars must be tucked away in garages and owners maybe not so keen on getting them out or on having meets/gatherings etc
for example marcos cars made only some 600 or less cars over 50 years and u see 10+ marcos often at meets or club events or at a circuit.
my G4 was often the only G4 present at events i went to....
also as many ginettas were competition cars they are seen more at circuits rather than at car shows or meets etc where they may get a large audience
i think it really helps to have an active club who encourage owners to go to popular motoring events and have an active social scene
I've only ever seen one Ginetta on the road, but there are two in my series, two more in HSCC, one mouldering away on a drive at the end of my road (an orange G27), I saw two last time I was at Spa...for example marcos cars made only some 600 or less cars over 50 years and u see 10+ marcos often at meets or club events or at a circuit.
my G4 was often the only G4 present at events i went to....
also as many ginettas were competition cars they are seen more at circuits rather than at car shows or meets etc where they may get a large audience
i think it really helps to have an active club who encourage owners to go to popular motoring events and have an active social scene
I think the reason there are so many more Marcos's racing now is how easy is it is to get them - comparitively speaking - competitive with FIA papers, compared to a pre-crossflow G4.
i owned a v8 marcos 10 years ago
in 10year period ive seen 2 or 3 marcos on the road (at non-events) and prob same number of Ginettas
but difference is marcos owners make a real effort to get their cars together for events and meets..
Ace cafe Marcos meet often had 8-10 marcos cars
while i was often the only lonely ginetta on tvr/lotus/ginetta nights!
in 10year period ive seen 2 or 3 marcos on the road (at non-events) and prob same number of Ginettas
but difference is marcos owners make a real effort to get their cars together for events and meets..
Ace cafe Marcos meet often had 8-10 marcos cars
while i was often the only lonely ginetta on tvr/lotus/ginetta nights!
Over recent years much has changed. Whereas you would regularly see cars 10-15 years old, that's changed. Every car I pass is relatively new these days... hectic pace of life, reliability and so on make people go for newer cars as they are more affordable - if you don't think so, remember over 20 years ago, in 1989 a new Rover 2 litre saloon for example, was 12 grand!
In the 80s I used my 998 G15 every single day doing 40-50 miles, and clocked up just over 100,000 miles when I sold it. Today, would I use it the same? Of course not. The car being the height of a bus tyre never worried me then but in the amount of traffic today, and every other juggernaut left hand drive, no thanks.
What's needed is something 'modern' to keep pace. The G40 seems to fit that bill. If it was sold as a road car with creature comforts at the current price or thereabouts, it would steal a good slice of market. I wish I was Tomlinson, because I would be aiming it direct at this potential market... now! It's the 20-30k market - go to 40-60k and you are straight into Porsche and so on. Can't compete regardless of how good. Only have to look at the Evora - when did you last see one... or rather have you ever seen on on the road? I haven't. I passed a Europa (new one) a couple of days ago, which is in the right price bracket but apparently that's a flop too.
Of course, should add also, although the G40 result in the 24 hours was incredible, note no mention on the PH main page. Nigel Mansell gets a lot of coverage when he or his sons are newsworthy and so they should. Imagine had the Evora come in 12th and been circling around 9th and 10th for most of the 24 hours. See what I mean? Nonetheless, Ginetta has achieved a lot since the takeover. It of course also achieved a hell of a lot in the early years.
In the 80s I used my 998 G15 every single day doing 40-50 miles, and clocked up just over 100,000 miles when I sold it. Today, would I use it the same? Of course not. The car being the height of a bus tyre never worried me then but in the amount of traffic today, and every other juggernaut left hand drive, no thanks.
What's needed is something 'modern' to keep pace. The G40 seems to fit that bill. If it was sold as a road car with creature comforts at the current price or thereabouts, it would steal a good slice of market. I wish I was Tomlinson, because I would be aiming it direct at this potential market... now! It's the 20-30k market - go to 40-60k and you are straight into Porsche and so on. Can't compete regardless of how good. Only have to look at the Evora - when did you last see one... or rather have you ever seen on on the road? I haven't. I passed a Europa (new one) a couple of days ago, which is in the right price bracket but apparently that's a flop too.
Of course, should add also, although the G40 result in the 24 hours was incredible, note no mention on the PH main page. Nigel Mansell gets a lot of coverage when he or his sons are newsworthy and so they should. Imagine had the Evora come in 12th and been circling around 9th and 10th for most of the 24 hours. See what I mean? Nonetheless, Ginetta has achieved a lot since the takeover. It of course also achieved a hell of a lot in the early years.
Edited by dandarez on Tuesday 5th October 19:57
Podie said:
A G40 at £20-30k would be fantastic.
Only concern would be losing the Griff's soundtrack...
that's the price bracket they are aiming for I understand. They are currently looking at engines so they told me. 1.8 zetec is a bit underwhelming in my view. I suggested the Duratec which Caterham & Westfield use.... Who knows? I take your point about soundtrack... My duratec 7 sounds awesome though... Exhaust needs to be good on a 4 pot. Only concern would be losing the Griff's soundtrack...
surrey7er said:
Podie said:
A G40 at £20-30k would be fantastic.
Only concern would be losing the Griff's soundtrack...
that's the price bracket they are aiming for I understand. They are currently looking at engines so they told me. 1.8 zetec is a bit underwhelming in my view. I suggested the Duratec which Caterham & Westfield use.... Who knows? I take your point about soundtrack... My duratec 7 sounds awesome though... Exhaust needs to be good on a 4 pot. Only concern would be losing the Griff's soundtrack...
2.3 Duratec, a supercharger, or perhaps even one of Ford's V6s. The 2.5 and 3.0 Duratec sound fantastic with the right exhaust.
surrey7er said:
They are currently looking at engines so they told me. 1.8 zetec is a bit underwhelming in my view. I suggested the Duratec which Caterham & Westfield use.... Who knows? I take your point about soundtrack... My duratec 7 sounds awesome though... Exhaust needs to be good on a 4 pot.
Not sure about the sound but the Honda Vtec has to be about the best 2 litre road engine in the world.Approx 250 Bhp as standard in a G40 - awesome.
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