Monday 31st July 2023

Ginetta G40R | Spotted

Road car born from Junior racer retained all the motorsport kudos alongside more power

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We love an underdog story in Britain. Jenson Button winning the 2009 Formula 1 World Championship for Brawn GP; Minis thrashing far more powerful opponents in the BTCC back in the 1960s; and, in GT racing, Ginetta battering starting grids filled with cars of far greater value and prestige.

Buy a ticket to pretty much any GT series in the UK and you’ll likely find a gaggle of Ginettas in the field, with one likely hot on the heels of the podium positions. They’re affordable by racing car standards, thanks in part to using off-the-shelf bits and pieces from other manufacturers, and because they weigh little more than a grape they’re able to give far more powerful cars a run for their money. They’re so effective that they’ve helped kickstart the careers of otherworldly talents like Lando Norris.

In fact, he’d have been driving a variant of the model we have here. This is a Ginetta G40R, the road-going version of the race car used in various entry-level championships and the company’s ultra-competitive Junior series. Well, it’s billed as a ‘road car’, but in reality there isn’t a whole lot difference between this and the cars shunted by teenagers on the BTCC support bill. A full roll cage, carbon trim and a dashboard with a smattering of buttons on the dash all mirror the racer, with leather-wrapped bucket seats being the only touch of luxury in what is otherwise a very purposeful cabin.

Mechanically, however, there are some minor differences. Cup cars of the era were equipped with 1.8-litre Ford Zetec engines, while the G40R benefitted from a 2.0-litre Duratec lifted from a Mazda MX-5. Official numbers at the time put the power figure at around 180hp – 30hp more than the race derivative - although it's said Ginetta would uncork more grunt for extra cash, which may explain why the ad claims a 200hp output. The R also gained the MX-5’s snickety six-speed gearbox, though Ginetta had to develop its own propshaft given how much shorter the G40 is compared to the Mazda. With just 795kg to shift, the G40R could hit 60mph in a brisk 5.8 seconds before maxing out at 140mph. 

So why is the Ginetta name rarely mentioned in the same breath as Lotus or Caterham? Well, that's partly to do with the (much) more storied history of the former and the fact there’s quite literally nothing like the latter, but the G40R is still noteworthy among its domestic rival. Not as open to the elements as a Seven, much rarer than a bog-standard Elise and, as Chris R put it back in 2011: “Basically the whole plot feels like it just wants the nuts thrashing off it, with the promise it will come right back for more.” 

Which means that if an Elise or Seven just isn’t scratching that motorsport itch, the G40R should have you covered. This 2013 car has covered just 9,000 miles and comes in Ginetta’s signature orange, er, gelcoat. The previous and only owner thankfully ticked the air con option on the extras list, meaning you could theoretically use this as a GT – providing you can find the right set-up and bring a set of ear plugs with you. It’s firmly in Lotus and Caterham territory at £26,950, but you're unlikely to ever run into another one (can’t remember the last time I saw one at Sunday Service) and is presumably fit for all sorts of club racing series. Better dust off that racing licence.

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SPECIFICATION | GINETTA G40R

Engine: 1,999cc four-cylinder
Transmission: six-speed manual, rear-wheel drive
Power (hp): 177@5,000rpm (200hp claimed)
Torque (lb ft): 140@5,000rpm
MPG: 29
CO2: 181g/km
Year registered: 2013
Recorded mileage: 9,000
Price new: £29,995
Yours for: £26,950

See the original advert here

[wistec1]

Proper track day weapon. We've been tangod.

[Taz73]

Such pretty little cars, amazing it's road legal though, wonder what the daily commute would be like in this? People do, after all, daily caterhams and Elise's, would this actually be worse? I guess it depends on noise, at least you should stay dry and in summer cool. I'd love to give it a go though.

[blearyeyedboy]

This is a relative bargain compared to many featured cars on here. I can't imagine it'd be that great as a road car but as a trackday toy for someone with the ability to enjoy it, this seems great. I can't see it depreciating much either, provided the next owner doesn't bin it into the wall at Quarry.

[mooseracer]

Autocar - I think it was - reviewed one of these and loved it. Useable as a daily from what I remember.

I'd really like one, appeals to my love of the leftfield.

Edit, here it is https://www.autocar.co.uk/car-review/ginetta/g40

Edited by mooseracer on Monday 31st July 07:13

[Jon_S_Rally]

I like that. Quite a pretty little thing (relative to a lot of other cheaper low-volume cars at least), and should be a lot of fun. As a weekend/track toy, it has a lot going for it. I'm sure a Caterham/Atom are slightly more capable in some respects, but the fact this has a roof gives it a lot of points in my view, given the unpredictability of the weather in the UK.

[Mabbs9]

This looks cool and a bit of a bargain really. I watched them race at Silverstone on the weekend of the British GT Championships. (Thanks again Intelligent Money). I didn't realise they had a road legal spec.

[bumskins]

Taz73 said:

Such pretty little cars, amazing it's road legal though, wonder what the daily commute would be like in this? People do, after all, daily caterhams and Elise's, would this actually be worse? I guess it depends on noise, at least you should stay dry and in summer cool. I'd love to give it a go though.

Funny you mention commuting, a couple of times locally i've seen a grey Ginetta G56 wearing the reg B15; seeing one of those wide G56 sports cars with a rumbling deep General Motors V8 soundtrack going down the local high street, certainly looked like a race car that had take a wrong turn out of the paddock!

[Gecko1978]

Iirc the reason you see less of these about is as a road car trim etc kept falling off. I am sure pH reviewEd a used on and more bits came in the boot than on the body.

Still love how they look though

[SpudLink]

I considered buying one of these many years ago. If I remember correctly, the purchase prices included the ARDS test and a 4 race series.

It's always been a surprise to me that Ginetta haven't managed to succeed in the niche road legal trackday car market. They are such pretty cars, with proven motorsport heritage.
But to be fair, I wouldn't choose one over an Elise.

[Terminator X]

Seen a few of these at track days. Look gorgeous.

TX.

[paradigital]

If I had the space for a track weapon it’d be a hard toss-up between one of these and a Zenos E10R.

[Taz73]

bumskins said:

Taz73 said:

Such pretty little cars, amazing it's road legal though, wonder what the daily commute would be like in this? People do, after all, daily caterhams and Elise's, would this actually be worse? I guess it depends on noise, at least you should stay dry and in summer cool. I'd love to give it a go though.

Funny you mention commuting, a couple of times locally i've seen a grey Ginetta G56 wearing the reg B15; seeing one of those wide G56 sports cars with a rumbling deep General Motors V8 soundtrack going down the local high street, certainly looked like a race car that had take a wrong turn out of the paddock!

An awesome sight and sound no doubt

[86wasagoodyear]

I've long admired these. Could be a perfect B-road daily, also great for ragging over the Alps (with ear plugs).

[nismo48]

86wasagoodyear said:

I've long admired these. Could be a perfect B-road daily, also great for ragging over the Alps (with ear plugs).

Now that would be an epic road trip

[Truckosaurus]

I wonder how much lighter one of these is in reality (the 795kg quoted seems suspiciously accurate...) versus an MX5 (with hardtop or folding roof) or a GT86 which would be your alternatives for a 'simple' road legal trackday tool.

[danmarr14]

Truckosaurus said:

I wonder how much lighter one of these is in reality (the 795kg quoted seems suspiciously accurate...) versus an MX5 (with hardtop or folding roof) or a GT86 which would be your alternatives for a 'simple' road legal trackday tool.

But how much of the weight is the rollcage? It's a road-going race car in effect vs a (very nice and light) road car, the standards and weight is different. Plus this Ginetta is going to be light years ahead pace wise of much this side of a GT4/GT3

[ChevronB19]

danmarr14 said:

But how much of the weight is the rollcage? It's a road-going race car in effect vs a (very nice and light) road car, the standards and weight is different. Plus this Ginetta is going to be light years ahead pace wise of much this side of a GT4/GT3

Always loved Ginetta’s, G4, G12 and G15 in particular, but also quite like the G32 (a rival for the MR2 at the time). G4 and G12 were absolute giant killers.

Edited by ChevronB19 on Monday 31st July 10:28

[J4CKO]

Nice, but I cant think of Ginetta, without think of, well, you know....

[Simoninspalding]

ChevronB19 said:

Always loved Ginetta’s, G4, G12 and G15 in particular, but also quite like the G32 (a rival for the MR2 at the time). G4 and G12 were absolute giant killers.

Edited by ChevronB19 on Monday 31st July 10:28

I knew a chap with a G32 back in the day. Unfortunately once you have spotted the Fiesta MK2 doors they never look the same again.

I do like the G40 though I preferred ealier ones with the faired in headlights.

[RSstuff]

J4CKO said:

Nice, but I cant think of Ginetta, without think of, well, you know....

Them perhaps not getting the recognition they deserved for their efforts...