Model - G2

Appearance - Lotus Mk 6

Power plant - Ford 8/10 hp or later Ford 100E engine could be fitted but utilising the earlier gearbox

Further details - The G2 was the first Ginetta to be sold to the public and their first production model.  Sold as a body chassis unit for the fitting of mechanical components from Ford 8 and 10 hp cars from 1938 to 1959. They offered a multi-tubular space frame chassis and riveted aluminium body and the complete kit included a windscreen, hood, pedals, telescopic dampers and remote gear linkage. Also included in the package were modifications to the customers Ford components comprising the shorting of the torque tube, lengthening of the steering column and adjustments to the front radius arms and steering drag link. Most cars used the standard Ford beam front axle and transverse spring but a few of the last cars built featured a split axle beam sprung by coil spring damper units.

Cost - £156 (kit)

Production - 20 Approx.

Model - G3

Appearance - 2 seater Sports

Power plant - Ford 8/10hp/100E

Further details -  In order to produce the next Ginetta model, the G3, the brothers turned to their Fairlite body shell and improved it in a number of areas. They fitted inner bulkheads and floor, moulded internal wheel arches and a new windscreen derived from the Mk 1 Austin Healey Sprite.  They also strengthened the body shell externally with the addition of moulded bumpers and stiffer sills.  A hardtop was also developed which was available as an extra.  To ensure the car handled like a true Ginetta they also produced a tubular chassis frame which was designed to accept the mechanical components from a Ford 8 or 10 hp saloon from 1938 to 1959. The G3 was marketed as a body chassis unit or as a body only for fitting to Ford chassis.  The Ginetta chassis featured a split front axle beam pivoted on the centre line of the car and incorporating coil spring damper units.  The last G3 made was adapted to take mechanical parts from a Morris Minor, but if this was a development for a future model, it was not progressed.

Cost - £214 (kit)

Production - 60 (including body shells)

Model - Fairlite

Appearance - 2 seater sports

Power plant - Various

Further details - The Fairlite was the first full glass fibre body shell developed by the Walklett Brothers Agricutual Engineers which was the business that started and constructed the Ginetta line of cars.

Originally conceived as a shell to clothe Ford 8 and 10 hp chassis of 7’ 6” wheelbase and body could be adapted to fit a number of chassis of similar dimensions. Fairlite bodies have also been fitted to contemporary specialist chassis such as the Buckler space frame. Any light weight body shell fitted to a simple ladder chassis designed for a saloon car is a compromise and the Fairlite was no exception.  As such it was not considered to be following the ethos the brothers had in mind for their Ginetta line of products and so the Fairlite stood alone. Although built alongside Ginetta cars it was never branded or marketed as a Ginetta.

Cost - £49

Production - 60 Approx.

Model - G4 series 1

Appearance - 2 seater Sports

Power plant - Ford 997

Further details - Sports 2-seater for race or road. Various Ford engine options. Despite the G2 and G3 appearing first it was in fact the G4 that Ivor Walklett designed first, but the complexity of the project meant the car was four years or more in the development while they gained the skills and knowledge necessary to make this model.  Several engine, gearbox and axle combinations were considered including Coventry Climax and Standard Ten before the car emerged in 1960 with the new 997cc Ford 105E engine gearbox and rear axle.   The car was a huge step forward and as well as a quick road car showed some potential in competition as well.  The official public launch was at the 1961 Racing Car Show but orders initially were slow, with an all in asking price of £697 for the car in component form.  Reducing the price in 1962 to £499, albeit with painting and weather equipment now extras, did however encourage sales.  The series 1 can be identified by its short tail bodywork although the round tube chassis is the same as later models, but the rear axle was quickly changed to a unit of BMC origin.  During 1962 the G4 started to get noticed on the race track with cars campaigned by Fos Wilson, Malcolm Douglas, David Stares and especially Nick Grace who turned heads by winning races and taking the lap record at Goodwood in his Series 1 with a Martin tuned engine.

Cost - £499.00

Production - 500+(all series)