G27 - is it an easy build ?

G27 - is it an easy build ?

Author
Discussion

John Mac

Original Poster:

386 posts

264 months

Monday 26th September 2005
quotequote all
Hi Guys,
I have the chance to buy a G27 chassis, body and bits to put it together - is it an easy build ?
Iv'e trawled through various threads but can't find too much about a build up and the Ginetta site only seems keen on selling "made up" cars.
Are build up instructions needed in fact are they available?
Any information and pit fall comments to avoid would be appreciated.
Thanks.

jamesg20

873 posts

258 months

Monday 26th September 2005
quotequote all
hi there,
It all depends on what series of '27 it is. If it's the later evoltuion series 4 it should be relatively easy to get it through sva. Build maunals are still avalible as far as i know from ginettacars or at least they were a couple of years ago, but fundam,entally the series four g27 is very similar to the g20 so you won't go far wrong with that manual.
Unfortunately rh owners club forum is not open to non memebers at the moment which is a real shame so you can't get the advice you need, but that could change shortly...

James.

g32turbo

365 posts

230 months

Wednesday 28th September 2005
quotequote all
John,
As James says, it really depends on what series G27 you're looking at. The earliest G27's evolved from the G4 series 4, there are at least 3 current GOC members with that model in the Yorkshire region who would no doubt be able to give advice.
I built the G27 series 4 in 1999/2000 with the Ford independent rear end and mechanically it was quite simple. The fiddly bits are always getting the body work right (door shuts, bonnet fit etc) but its not difficult, just time consuming. I've still got the build manual for my car and I also created a website with a build log and lots of photos. Take a look at [url] http://website.lineone.net/~g27build [/url]

Cheers, Tony

daydreamer

1,409 posts

258 months

Wednesday 28th September 2005
quotequote all
Another to agree with the above. We rebuilt a G20 (chassis up) race car (developed from the series 4 27) in three weekends (without bodywork repairs), so mechanically, they couldn't really be simpler.

With the body - it is how much time do you want to spend. Getting it properly aligned before you start drilling and rivetting is a time consuming, but satisfying job. Also, the moulds for the car are not of Lotus Elise standard, so there are possibly improvements that you can make by carefully smoothing the surface before getting it on the car.

Top tip - paint it before putting on the car!!!!

John Mac

Original Poster:

386 posts

264 months

Wednesday 28th September 2005
quotequote all
Its a Series 2 G27 last purchased as a part built kit by the owner in 1999.
The body doesn't have a Gel coat, I suppose that was standard with the Series 2 (?)and needs painting, the engine is a 1.6 Ford Zetec which needs fitting, no history on it.
No wheels or tyres but most parts needed to complete it are there apart from exhaust, trim and instruments.
Unfortunatly the car is at the other end of the country from me and I can't inspect it, therefore I'm a bit in the dark.
Any idea of a value ? plus probably a hefty transportation cost to add to it.
Thanks again all.

Truckosaurus

11,324 posts

285 months

Wednesday 28th September 2005
quotequote all
Is an unbuilt s2 G27 even capable of passing an SVA test?

John Mac

Original Poster:

386 posts

264 months

Wednesday 28th September 2005
quotequote all
Is there something here I should be aware of ?

alloypearltam

9,586 posts

244 months

Wednesday 28th September 2005
quotequote all
Back in 1997 I agreed to buy a Ginetta from the factory. I can't remember if it was a G47 or a G27 but when they eventually got around to delivering it the quality of the chassis kit was quite poor.

The end result involved solicitors and I asked them to take the thing away, even forgoing a refund because I was so fed up with it.

John Mac

Original Poster:

386 posts

264 months

Wednesday 28th September 2005
quotequote all
Blimey !! - this isn't sounding at all encouraging.
Anyone got any good news?
Don't really want to spend time and money on an eventual failure !

Truckosaurus

11,324 posts

285 months

Wednesday 28th September 2005
quotequote all
John Mac said:
re: SVA tests Is there something here I should be aware of ?


If I'm not mistaken, the Series 2 G27 has pop-up headlights, these might (in fact, probably won't) pass the SVA test. (Which is why later G27s had faired in lights.).

You might also need a catalytic converter to go with that Zetec engine.

I'd be very wary of buying an incomplete, unfinished project, especially of a model no longer in production.

I'd reckon the kit is worth whatever you offer the bloke in cash to take it off his hands. Especially if you have to hire a large van to bring it all home in.

g32turbo

365 posts

230 months

Wednesday 28th September 2005
quotequote all
As advised above, its extremely unlikey you'll get through SVA with a series 2 car in standard form. Apart from the lights you'll have issues with external door handles as I believe the remote door release was incorporated into the series 4 to get around this problem at SVA.

Try giving Martin Dawson a ring at S&T Motors in Sheffield (0114 234 3659)he has a lot of experience of building G27's and putting them through SVA.

John Mac

Original Poster:

386 posts

264 months

Wednesday 28th September 2005
quotequote all
Yes you're right, this model has the "pop-up" lights and I expect the external door handles.Is a modification available to change the lights to the later style to pass the SVA ?, the door handles I think should be an easier mod.
I'm told that the previous owner(sadly deceased)paid £3750 for the "kit" and never continued with it in October 1999,(been standing since). I appreciate what has been said above and the likely difficulties of SVA but with all the bits and the likelyhood of the engine also being 1999, what is todays offer £1k -£2K ? I just don't know!! Body is not Gel coat but will need painting etc.
I will phone the number given - thanks for that.
Thanks again.

Truckosaurus

11,324 posts

285 months

Wednesday 28th September 2005
quotequote all
A later bonnet should fit.

Also have a word with Phaffy at the Ginetta factory and find out what the spares situation is with the Series 2. It might be that he can still get you all the bits you'd need to finish the kit (at a price).

g32turbo

365 posts

230 months

Wednesday 28th September 2005
quotequote all
The G27 project has now been sold by Ginetta and is being marketed by GKD Sportscars [url]www.gkdsportscars.com[/url]. They have completely restyled the bonnet but it should fit any G27 and has fixed headlights. Another alternative could be to fit the G20 bonnet from Ginetta complete with Mazda MX5 headlights.
Whichever way you go its not going to be cheap so this should be reflected in the price you pay for the kit. Traditionally part built kits were a very cheap way of getting a kit car but you never quite knew how much work was involved in putting right someone elses work. SVA has compounded that problem because of the much stricter standards and regulations you now have to build to. To me that would mean part built kit prices should have fallen through the floor.

Truckosaurus

11,324 posts

285 months

Thursday 29th September 2005
quotequote all
g32turbo said:
The G27 project has now been sold by Ginetta and is being marketed by GKD Sportscars . They have completely restyled the bonnet but it should fit any G27 and has fixed headlights.


I'd forgotten that Ginetta had sold the rights, thanks for the reminder. Just looked at the GKD site, it appears they've taken the not unattractive G27 and issued it a severe beating with the Ugly Stick.

John Mac

Original Poster:

386 posts

264 months

Thursday 29th September 2005
quotequote all
g32turbo - spoke to Martin Dawson who was very helpful - there may be some hope yet. - Thanks

daydreamer

1,409 posts

258 months

Thursday 29th September 2005
quotequote all
Truckosaurus said:
I'd forgotten that Ginetta had sold the rights, thanks for the reminder. Just looked at the GKD site, it appears they've taken the not unattractive G27 and issued it a severe beating with the Ugly Stick.
Just had a poke around the site looking for the G27. Took me two visits to realise what they have done to it - talk about trying to look like a Marcos and failing.

I've bollocked Martin over this one as I was looking forward to putting together a G27 when the race car goes - still if it wasn't selling then it had to move on I suppose.

jamesg20

873 posts

258 months

Thursday 29th September 2005
quotequote all
Truckosaurus said:

g32turbo said:
The G27 project has now been sold by Ginetta and is being marketed by GKD Sportscars . They have completely restyled the bonnet but it should fit any G27 and has fixed headlights.



I'd forgotten that Ginetta had sold the rights, thanks for the reminder. Just looked at the GKD site, it appears they've taken the not unattractive G27 and issued it a severe beating with the Ugly Stick.


couldn't agree more, take a beautiful looking car let a kid at it with a copy of photoshop and then bling it up and i reckon it would look something like that. Looking at a proper g27 i reckon they couldn't have done much worse. Thats the death of the 27 then.
I'm not holding back when i say that is the most f@cking ugly thing i have seen for years.
Just my opinion of course but soemone needs to tell them they are throwing money down the drain if they think people are going to want that.
Sorry just my opinion.

John Mac

Original Poster:

386 posts

264 months

Thursday 29th September 2005
quotequote all
Jamesg20 - couldn't agree more, can't see one being sold.
All it needs to finish it off are a set of Morgan Aero 8 lights on it !!

g32turbo

365 posts

230 months

Friday 30th September 2005
quotequote all
Errm....just because I suggested it as an option for an SVA compliant bonnet doesn't mean I think it looks good. Phew, thats that cleared up before I'm removed to the funny farm.

Horses for courses I suppose, but no-one was ever going to produce a car a gorgeous as the G27 again. Yep I'm biased, but 5 years on and my G27 still does it for me, with all the right curves in the right places she aint no Kate Moss. Maybe the GKD could be promoted via the Dawn French fan club.