The Ginetta G21 joined the range in 1970 as a larger companion to the G15. It was initially available with either a 1.7-litre four-cylinder engine from the Rootes Group or a 3.0-litre Ford Essex V6, and the car largely used Rootes components. A total of 80 were built before production ceased in 1974 because of the oil crisis.
Ginetta G21 at a glance
| Maker | Ginetta Cars, Witham, Essex |
|---|---|
| Introduced | 1970 |
| Position | larger companion to the G15 |
| Engines at launch | 1.7-litre Rootes four; 3.0-litre Ford Essex V6 |
| Standard four later | 1.7-litre Sunbeam Rapier engine |
| Components | largely Rootes |
| Built | 80 |
| Production ended | 1974, because of the oil crisis |
| Unbuilt derivatives | G23 open-top and G24 coupé |
The G21 is described in a section of the English Wikipedia article on Ginetta Cars; this page uses that section. Based on one source.
History of the Ginetta G21
A bigger Ginetta
In 1970 the G15 was joined by the larger G21, which was initially available with either a four-cylinder, 1.7-litre engine sourced from the Rootes Group (Sunbeam) or a 3.0-litre Ford Essex V6. The car largely used Rootes components, and the 1.7-litre Sunbeam Rapier engine subsequently became the standard four-cylinder engine for the car.
End of production
80 cars in total were produced before production ceased in 1974 because of the oil crisis. The car was later developed into an open-top G23 and a G24 coupé version, but neither of those variants went into production.
Design and features
- Engine choice: buyers could have a 1.7-litre Rootes four or a 3.0-litre Ford Essex V6.
- Rootes parts: the car was largely built from Rootes Group components, with the Sunbeam Rapier engine becoming standard.
- Larger body: the G21 offered more space than the small G15 it was sold alongside.
- Short life: only 80 were built before the 1974 oil crisis ended production.
Ginetta G21 versions
- G21 1.7: the four-cylinder car with the Rootes/Sunbeam Rapier engine.
- G21 3.0 V6: the Ford Essex-engined version offered at launch.
- G23: an open-top derivative that did not reach production.
- G24: a coupé derivative that did not reach production.
The G21 was sold alongside the smaller G15, and its place in the range was later taken by the G32. More cars are in the Ginetta collection.
Sources
- Ginetta Cars, English Wikipedia: G21 engines, components, production, derivatives
