Where are the G15 Super S's?

[PiB]

I had never heard of the few G15's engineered for a 1.6 litre flat 4 (?) VW engine. Apparently, a few (2 of 8) were exported to California?

LINK

I don't believe my Ginetta magazine compilation book covered the Super S. I would enjoy any further info.

[mikeg15]

According to an article in a US magazine dated May 1979, the distributors - AMATEC Inc of Los Angeles - offered these with 2 litre engines. As VW a/c engines are infinitely tunable ( and easily increased in size to 3 litres ) these could have great potential as a 911 humbler.

[dandarez]

Series 4 was after the imposition of VAT and was a fully built car (with the Marina door handles and other changes) it sold at £1395 or an extra £150 for the so-called G15S (998cc) until it ended production in 74.

The G15 Super S came as a resurrection (4 years after G15 production ended in 1974) when American Art Allen commissioned the G15 Super S for the USA. It had body changes - wide wheel arches with new GRP front bumper/spoiler and wrap-around rear bumper, a flip-up bootlid and was fitted with a VW engine and transaxle.

It didn't take off, and as far as I'm aware just two were built (although I've only ever seen pics of one). The only 'success' was that the new style front and rear bumpers proved enticing to existing G15 owners and quite a few were sold - even I can testify to having bought a pair! This was not surprising as the original VW front split and rear Riley Elf/Wolsley Hornet originals not only tended to rust but were also hard to locate and expensive in comparison.

[PiB]

Here's where I got the (unconfirmed) figure of a total of 8 created.

Any pictures of the G15's with the wider flares? Are these the flares?

On a side note among most everything else right about the G15 I read that the peddle box is not so . . . ergonomic?

[dandarez]

Nah, there were never 8. Possibly 2. Here's a pic (poor) of the one that was in the corner of the Witham Ginetta works when finished and ready for export.

[dandarez]

Just found this pic
This is a modified UK G15 in the 1980s.

(It's 'not' a Super S) but has utilised the same arches and front/rear bumper kit for a Super S (even a flip bootlid) and more mods like the front bonnet rad vent and rear vent in boot.

[PiB]

Cool Thanks!

[h4887]

John, was that Derek Robson's car? Now in Switzerland?

Geoff

[dandarez]

h4887 said:

John, was that Derek Robson's car? Now in Switzerland?

Geoff

Yep.

Changing subject, where's Alison Davis's car now?

excuse for Ferrari embarrassment pic

[artallen]

There were only 2 G15 Super S's imported to California in 1978. The one in the black and white photo above was one and we just bought back the second one which is the one pictured with me (Art Allen) in the Ginetta Book. It currently has only 1,300 miles on it and has been sitting in a collectors garage since the early 1990's.

Edited by artallen on Wednesday 9th July 00:42

[mikeg15]

Art
Do you have any photos of the engine bay of your car. It would be very interesting as I'm hoping to put a replica together as I got fed up with grenading Imp gearboxes. I thought the Super Ss had disappeared without trace.
So far plan is for a 2ltr. type 4 and a 901 5 speed, though these are not yet installed.

[artallen]

Sorry for taking so long to get these pictures up.

Edited by artallen on Tuesday 8th July 23:49

[artallen]

[artallen]

[artallen]

[artallen]

[artallen]

This last picture is of a cross bar behind the engine over the transaxle.

[artallen]

Incase anyone is wondering, that is a G20 in the background fitted with a 2.0L ZETEC with Hayabusa ITB's and mated to a Ford T5 out of a Mustang SVO. We had fun figuring that one out.

Edited by artallen on Wednesday 9th July 01:54

[artallen]

[artallen]