Normally when I am scanning eBay looking for cool stuff, I skip the sales that are ending before they’ll hit the front page but even though this auction will have ended by the time you read this, I broke my own rule. Why? Firstly because this car is awesome and secondly because this car is awesome. I’m not sure why I have gotten myself on this kick of seeking out cool old 1960s sports cars and race cars made by niche manufacturers but I have and I can’t get off it when I keep spotting cars like this 1964 Ginetta G4 R. Sounds Italian, right? I thought for sure that it was until I saw the twin-cam Lotus engine in the car and immediately my interest spiked. Thankfully the seller filled in all of my curiosity with a detailed description of the car and its racing history. The Lotus engine makes way more sense when you learn that these were built by four brothers in England.
The description below will do a far better job than I can describing this car and its history but a few high points for those of you who don’t want to read the whole thing. The car weighs 1184lbs, has a 180hp screaming four banger, and a Ford four speed. The reason it caught my eye is because at points it looks like a scaled down Cheetah and at other points (mainly the rear quarters) it has a Shelby Cobra vibe going for it. At the time I was writing this the price was at $110,000 and moving. We’ll see where it stops and if it sells.
Taking the price out of the equation, I have one question. Is this thing BangShift approved or am I off in the cabbage somewhere?
HERE’S THE GREAT HISTORY AND ALL THE INFORMATION ABOUT THIS AWESOME 1964 GINETTS G4 R –
1965 Ginetta G4 R factory “R” model ready to race! Fully Independent Rear suspension, 4 wheel disc brakes, 180 HP 1600cc Twin Cam Ford, Quaife internals 4 speed Ford gearbox and only 1184 lbs. Fiberglass body over wet wrap early round tube chassis/frame Ginetta.
The Wakletts, four brothers, began constructing cars under the Ginetta name in the mid 1950s. Ginetta introduce the G4 in 1961 and many examples were immediately presented at numerous racing venues throughout the UK. The car was Homologated with the 997cc English Ford B105 motor, and was sold either with that motor or the 1500cc non Crossflow.
The factory noted the success of their customers racing the G4 and began an effort to campaign a factory sponsored “works” G4: this lead to the development of the G4″R.” The “R” designating a purpose built race car with several upgraded developments including a Ginetta designed independent rear axel with in-board rear disc brakes and the fitment of the Lotus Twin Cam engine. The cars were an immediate success. Some ten to a dozen G4 “R’s” were thus built and sold. The Ginetta G4 “R” models compete against the Lotus 26 “R” and Super Seven, Shelby Cobra, Porsche 904/6 and other production based Vintage Race cars.
This particular G4 “R” was sold new in 1965 to a Harvey Smith a UK privateer under the team Worchester Racing. It was raced for two years then retried to life on the street. The car was imported to the US and restored by Tony Ingram. It received the Rolex “Best Presentation and Performance” Monterey Historic award winner in 2009. Campaigned with HMSA, CSRG, SVRA and General Racing Limited; last 15 years. No accidents, well looked after.
Titled in California and its DMV Title is in hand. Very original, all original parts retained when restored along with separate all original bodywork, trim and lights. HMSA Log Book. Serial number 04/0221.
Very competitive against Lotus, Porsche, Alfa, Corvette, Mustang Shelby, Tiger, Elva in both over and under 2500 cc classes.
Specs: All steel Twin Cam legit 1600cc displacement, Aluminum head, JE piston, billet crank, steel rods, Dual DCOE 45 Webber carbs, dry sump, Tilton clutch and aluminum flywheel, 4 to 1 coated headers: dyno output 183 HP plus, approximately 7-8 hrs since refresh on the motor. Girling discs, dual circuit Girling masters, aluminum bell housing and tail shaft, Lotus Ford 4 speed gearbox with Quaife internals. SPAX shocks, rack and pinion steering, Fuel Safe cell (new foam,) “current date” six point belts, full roll cage, on-board fire system, Minilite wheels with Avon race tires.
SCROLL DOWN TO SEE MORE PHOTOS AND THE EBAY LINK –
Sell the Lotus engine, stick an Ecoboost in it, dump the boring minilite wheels for some cool 15 inchers, paint it satin black and go out cobra hunting!
Sorry Mad Geordie but putting an Ecoboost in it would invalidate it for vintage racing. Plus Ginetta’s are already Cobra hunters/killers. Ginetta’s may not be great (speed wise) on big open race course,s but on twisty course,s they , like Mini’s, excell. The biggest draw back to owning a Ginetta is that they are small cars, think Lotus 7 small.
Very Lotus eleven/birdcage Maserati.
I like it a lot. Beats the heck out of all trars that show up on Bangshift. 🙂
Approved, no doubt about that here.