Model - G18
Appearance - FF1600 single-seater
Power plant - 1.6 litre Ford Kent (one car built with BRM V8)
Further details - In tandem with the building of the G17 (see G17) Ivor Walklett also envisaged a Formula Ford car which would be known as the G18. Developed alongside the G17 the two models were the same up to the rear bulkhead but subtly different around the engine and gearbox area to accommodate a Ford 1600cc engine and Hewland transaxle. The first car was ready to race by Easter 1969 where Chris Meek put in a strong performance at the Rufforth circuit. During 1969 three cars competed in Formula Ford events including one driven by Richard Robarts who went on to briefly race in Formula 1 for the Brabham team in 1974. By 1972 there were as many as six G18’s competing at circuits around the country.
Such was the demands on the Ginetta factory in the period when the G17 and G18 were designed and built that it was impossible to give them the development attention they deserved due to rapidly expanding G15 production and the need to further develop the G16. As a result these cars always took a ‘back seat’, but the significant results they did achieve give a flavour of what they may have been capable of with more development.
Cost - n/a
Production - 7