Ginetta G4 general advice and size.
Discussion
Hi Guys,
I don't often post here but hope you could advise me as I'm interested in the G4.
I've seen images of roadsters and coupes and some seem to have a removeable windscreen which particularly appeals. Is this a common feature of the car? If so it seems to fit my bill.
Secondly, I'm long in the torso but a mere 6'1" tall, will I fit in with a helmet on and the roof fitted? I live in North Lincolnshire, and wonder if anyone nearby has a car I could sit in to make a judgement?
Finally, where can I read more about the G4? I'd like to know about its history, construction and derivatives. Any advice will be greatly appreciated.
Kind Regards,
Kurt
North Lincs.
I don't often post here but hope you could advise me as I'm interested in the G4.
I've seen images of roadsters and coupes and some seem to have a removeable windscreen which particularly appeals. Is this a common feature of the car? If so it seems to fit my bill.
Secondly, I'm long in the torso but a mere 6'1" tall, will I fit in with a helmet on and the roof fitted? I live in North Lincolnshire, and wonder if anyone nearby has a car I could sit in to make a judgement?
Finally, where can I read more about the G4? I'd like to know about its history, construction and derivatives. Any advice will be greatly appreciated.
Kind Regards,
Kurt
North Lincs.
Hi Kurt,
I am a lofty 5'10" in my shoes and just fit comfortably after a minor pedal adjustment.
Regarding variants, you have the option of a car in roadster form using the flat Austin Healey
Sprite windscreen or coupe form with the hardtop incorporating the windsreen. Any other variant
would be some form of modification.
You could do no better than getting your hands on a copy of 'Four Brothers '4'- The History of the Ginetta G4' by Trevor Pyman to find out all that is worth knowing about the G4.
Cheers Mark.
I am a lofty 5'10" in my shoes and just fit comfortably after a minor pedal adjustment.
Regarding variants, you have the option of a car in roadster form using the flat Austin Healey
Sprite windscreen or coupe form with the hardtop incorporating the windsreen. Any other variant
would be some form of modification.
You could do no better than getting your hands on a copy of 'Four Brothers '4'- The History of the Ginetta G4' by Trevor Pyman to find out all that is worth knowing about the G4.
Cheers Mark.
Hello Mark,
Thank you for that, very informative. So the coupe has an entirely removeable roof/windscreen/rear screen assembly, is that right? I like the coupe look, but not the flat screen of the standard roadster (Healey screen). I've had a screenless car before and loved it, but want the winter time "practicality" of a fixed roof.
I've had a search for the book, but have failed to find one under £140!!!! In the real world, where I live, books aren't THAT expensive, so where can I obtain that book for a more realistic price?!
Thank you,
Kurt
Thank you for that, very informative. So the coupe has an entirely removeable roof/windscreen/rear screen assembly, is that right? I like the coupe look, but not the flat screen of the standard roadster (Healey screen). I've had a screenless car before and loved it, but want the winter time "practicality" of a fixed roof.
I've had a search for the book, but have failed to find one under £140!!!! In the real world, where I live, books aren't THAT expensive, so where can I obtain that book for a more realistic price?!
Thank you,
Kurt
Hello Roger,
I don't know the answer to that yet, I'm just at the start of my journey. I suspect the Dare will fit the bill, as I'm keen to use the car primarily on the road, with a few track days thrown in. I don't want a car that's a historic racer, as it's be wasted on me! I think a removeable hardtop is ideal.
I emailed Dare but had NO response, sadly. Again, being new to the G4, I don't know the background. Are Dare out of business??
I don't know the answer to that yet, I'm just at the start of my journey. I suspect the Dare will fit the bill, as I'm keen to use the car primarily on the road, with a few track days thrown in. I don't want a car that's a historic racer, as it's be wasted on me! I think a removeable hardtop is ideal.
I emailed Dare but had NO response, sadly. Again, being new to the G4, I don't know the background. Are Dare out of business??
I have pondered over this dilemma many times, Hard or Soft which is best!!!
Some G4's have both options and now Dare make a separate curved detachable screen so it can stay on when you remove the main hard top (earlier ones didn't split).
I have a wide rear end LWB Dare G4 roadster with a hood which I think is actually more preferable to a hard top most of the time. I don't use my Ginetta's much once road salt is being chucked about anyway however! Having driven a hard top G4 I can tell you its a bit harsh and noisy and being a GRP bonded shell. I've had a few hard top Ginetta's too but for a fun summer road and track car an occasional use hood is preferable as you can take it with you! If you don't mind using ear plugs then the noise becomes more bearable for longer trips. With the roof off you hear the exhaust note and a bit of wind noise but its much more bearable. I agree the coupe option looks nice but in the summer you cant beat having the hood down or the screen off (4 bolts). Helmet clearance ain't a problem either! The hard top is also extra weight of course and when not in use you need to store it somewhere safe from harm. Hard top removal is a bit fiddly without help then if it rains you get wet without it! The hoods don't fit the curved screens (Unless you have one made of course). If you use with the hard top on in summer it can also get very hot unless you remove the side screens. I toyed with the idea of buying a hard top for mine but then thought I'd probably rarely want it on or want go out in pouring rain intentionally anyway. Some people have both but the cars needs a few mods making to interchange them anyway. The windscreen wipers are in different places due to the screen shapes. The dash top cover is bigger to cover more scuttle with the coupe. The rear section moulding is also different with a raised lip for the hard top. The door side screens need holes drilling in the doors on the coupe but not on the roadster. I'm not keen on drilling holes in my doors! Also bear in mind most Ginetta hoods are not on fold out frames like an MX5 or Spitfire. They consist on a number of metal hoops with a separate hood that press studs around the body. The G4 hood is pretty good but it still takes about 5 minutes to fit so the other half will still get wet whilst you fit it!!! Mine has one piece side screens (not shown on the picture)which fit on brackets inside the doors so when off there are no holes in the door sides. In heavy rain both options leak a little so you drill some drain holes!
All Ginettas are rare and hard to find for sale so be prepared for a long search or you may have to pay dealer premiums. They are all great enthusiast cars however and they were never made in bloody Italy!
I do know an Italian who has at least 3 Ginetta's and counting and several G4 roof & screen options too.
I also think more cars have the hardtop anyway so you'll most likely have your choice anyway.
I'm in East Yorkshire if you want to try mine for size but I'm only 5'10.
Some G4's have both options and now Dare make a separate curved detachable screen so it can stay on when you remove the main hard top (earlier ones didn't split).
I have a wide rear end LWB Dare G4 roadster with a hood which I think is actually more preferable to a hard top most of the time. I don't use my Ginetta's much once road salt is being chucked about anyway however! Having driven a hard top G4 I can tell you its a bit harsh and noisy and being a GRP bonded shell. I've had a few hard top Ginetta's too but for a fun summer road and track car an occasional use hood is preferable as you can take it with you! If you don't mind using ear plugs then the noise becomes more bearable for longer trips. With the roof off you hear the exhaust note and a bit of wind noise but its much more bearable. I agree the coupe option looks nice but in the summer you cant beat having the hood down or the screen off (4 bolts). Helmet clearance ain't a problem either! The hard top is also extra weight of course and when not in use you need to store it somewhere safe from harm. Hard top removal is a bit fiddly without help then if it rains you get wet without it! The hoods don't fit the curved screens (Unless you have one made of course). If you use with the hard top on in summer it can also get very hot unless you remove the side screens. I toyed with the idea of buying a hard top for mine but then thought I'd probably rarely want it on or want go out in pouring rain intentionally anyway. Some people have both but the cars needs a few mods making to interchange them anyway. The windscreen wipers are in different places due to the screen shapes. The dash top cover is bigger to cover more scuttle with the coupe. The rear section moulding is also different with a raised lip for the hard top. The door side screens need holes drilling in the doors on the coupe but not on the roadster. I'm not keen on drilling holes in my doors! Also bear in mind most Ginetta hoods are not on fold out frames like an MX5 or Spitfire. They consist on a number of metal hoops with a separate hood that press studs around the body. The G4 hood is pretty good but it still takes about 5 minutes to fit so the other half will still get wet whilst you fit it!!! Mine has one piece side screens (not shown on the picture)which fit on brackets inside the doors so when off there are no holes in the door sides. In heavy rain both options leak a little so you drill some drain holes!
All Ginettas are rare and hard to find for sale so be prepared for a long search or you may have to pay dealer premiums. They are all great enthusiast cars however and they were never made in bloody Italy!
I do know an Italian who has at least 3 Ginetta's and counting and several G4 roof & screen options too.
I also think more cars have the hardtop anyway so you'll most likely have your choice anyway.
I'm in East Yorkshire if you want to try mine for size but I'm only 5'10.
Edited by ginV8 on Monday 5th October 16:02
Edited by ginV8 on Monday 5th October 17:13
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