The Ginetta G32 was a mid-engined sports car built by Ginetta Cars from 1989 to 1992. A two-seater available as a coupé or convertible, it used a square-tube space frame under a fibreglass body and many Ford parts, including doors and interior from the Ford Fiesta. A total of 115 were produced.
Ginetta G32 at a glance
| Maker | Ginetta Cars, Scunthorpe |
|---|---|
| Production | 1989–1992 |
| Designer | Ivor Walklett |
| Layout | mid-engined, rear-wheel drive |
| Bodies | two-door coupé and convertible |
| Length and width | 3.76 m and 1.65 m |
| Chassis | square-tube space frame with fibreglass body |
| Engine | 1,597 cc Ford four-cylinder, 110 PS (81 kW) |
| Catalysed version | 105 PS (77 kW), Ginetta’s first with a catalytic converter |
| Engine option | 1,905 cc, 135 PS (99 kW) |
| Gearbox | five-speed manual, from the Ford Escort |
| Built | 115 |
| 1990 prices | coupé £13,700, convertible £14,600 |
History of the Ginetta G32
Ford parts in a space frame
The G32, designed by Ivor Walklett, incorporated many Ford parts, including much of the interior and the doors from the Ford Fiesta, with different, lower window frames. The front suspension was actually the rear suspension of the contemporary Ford Escort, turned through 180 degrees, and the tie rods were used to set the toe angles of the rear wheels. The chassis was a space frame of square tubes clad in a fibreglass bodyshell.
Engines
The 1.6i was powered by a 1,597 cc Ford four-cylinder developing 110 PS (81 kW) at 6,000 rpm and 141 N·m of torque. Ginetta also offered a catalysed version producing 105 PS (77 kW), the company’s first car with a catalytic converter. The 1.9i used a 1,905 cc derivative of the same Ford engine and developed 135 PS (99 kW) with 145 N·m. Both versions had a five-speed manual gearbox borrowed from the Ford Escort. A 1.6 turbo version was tested but not put into production.
Prices and production
Ginetta decided to re-enter the complete car business with the mid-engined G32. In 1990 the coupé cost £13,700 and the convertible £14,600, with the G33 listed at £17,800 in the same year. A total of 115 examples were produced between 1989 and 1992.
Design and features
- Mid-engined layout: the engine sat behind the cabin in a compact two-seater body.
- Ford parts bin: Fiesta doors, interior parts and Escort front suspension turned through 180 degrees.
- Space-frame chassis: square steel tubes under a fibreglass shell.
- First catalytic converter: the catalysed 1.6 was the first Ginetta sold with one.
- Compact size: only 3.76 m long and 1.65 m wide.
Ginetta G32 versions
- G32 1.6i: the 110 PS Ford-engined coupé or convertible.
- G32 1.6i catalysed: 105 PS and the company’s first catalytic converter.
- G32 1.9i: the 1,905 cc, 135 PS version.
- 1.6 turbo: tested but never put into production.
The G32 was followed by the V8-engined G33, and it came after the smaller G21 in Ginetta’s line of road cars. More cars are in the Ginetta collection.
Video: Ginetta G32 on the track
Video on YouTube.
Sources
- Ginetta G32, English Wikipedia: design, suspension, engines, production
- Ginetta Cars, English Wikipedia: 1990 prices
