Ginetta G4 Series 1

The Ginetta G4 Series 1 was the first series of the Ginetta G4, the two-seat sports car that Ivor Walklett designed before the G2 and G3 but which took four years or more to develop. According to the Ginetta Owners Club, the car emerged in 1960 with the new 997 cc Ford 105E engine, gearbox and rear axle, and was launched publicly at the 1961 Racing Car Show. Orders were slow at an all-in price in component form of 697 pounds, and cutting the price to 499 pounds in 1962, with painting and weather equipment now extras, helped sales. The Series 1 can be recognised by its short tail bodywork, although its round tube chassis matches later cars, and its rear axle was quickly changed to a unit of BMC origin. In 1962 it began to be noticed in racing, with cars run by Fos Wilson, Malcolm Douglas, David Stares and Nick Grace, who took the lap record at Goodwood.