G4S4

(Photo above - Prototype bonnet)

Model - G4 series 4

Appearance - 2 seater Sports

Power plant - 1.3, 1.6, 2.0 litre Ford Crossflow / Pinto

Further details - In the early 80’s Ginetta decided to revamp the original G4 and give it an update, so in 1981 they unveiled the prototype G4S4 with a flip up headlight bonnet similar in design to the earlier G4S3. However a motor was used in place of the spring and manual operation as this had proved problematical because as the springs got weaker the lights would lay down at speeds over 70mph. The new G4S4 design also incorporated pod indicators and pod sidelights below the bumper line. However whilst this car was seen in many publications and by prospective owners the motor for the lights proved again to be problematical and with a purchase price of £49.00 (1982) the decision was made to remove the flip up headlights and change the bonnet to a frogeye design.

However four owners having seen the flip up headlight bonnets on the prototype and in publications asked the factory to supply them with the original bonnet. To our knowledge 4 cars still exist with this bonnet type, 3 of the original and another that was changed later.

There were 33 cars produced and most had the Frogeye / large hump type bonnet fitted. The last few cars produced were fitted with the G4S5/G27S1 type bonnet with the fibreglass pod headlight arrangement. It is unclear whether any had the intermediate frogeye bonnet with the small G21 type hump.

Cost - £5,675.00

Production - 33

Photo below - Intermediate frogeye bonnet with the small G21 type hump

G4S4Frogeye