The Ginetta G33 was a speedster introduced in 1990 and derived from the G27. It was typically equipped with a 200 hp, 3.9-litre Rover V8, which made it considerably faster than the car it was based on, and it used suspension parts from the rear-wheel-drive Ford Sierra Cosworth. Production ended in early 1994 after 90 to 100 examples had been built.
Ginetta G33 at a glance
| Maker | Ginetta Cars, Scunthorpe |
|---|---|
| Introduced | 1990 |
| Based on | Ginetta G27 |
| Engine | 3.9-litre Rover V8, 200 hp |
| Top speed | 145 mph |
| 0–60 mph | 5 seconds |
| Front suspension | double wishbones with adjustable shock absorbers |
| Rear suspension | Ford Sierra Cosworth parts |
| Brakes | ABS discs all round, brake bias adjuster, no servo |
| Swedish engine option | 2.0-litre Cosworth YBG turbo, 220 PS |
| Built | 90–100 |
| Production ended | early 1994 |
The G33 is described in a section of the English Wikipedia article on the Ginetta G27, which covers the G27, G33 and G34. Based on one source.
History of the Ginetta G33
A V8 version of the G27
The G33 speedster was introduced in 1990. Derived from the G27, it was typically equipped with a 200 hp, 3.9-litre Rover V8, which gave a top speed of 145 mph and a 0–60 mph time of 5 seconds. Unlike the G27, the G33 was only available as a complete car, although cars were officially delivered as kits with the owner ostensibly expected to complete minor front suspension assembly, so as to avoid the need for type approval that Ginetta could not afford after the expense of the G32.
Body and chassis
In terms of appearance, the windscreen with its body-coloured frame and cut-off corners was the main difference from the G27, while the overall shape was smoothed off, with various creases and folds removed. The windscreen corners were cut to give easier access to the cabin. Under the body, the G33 used suspension parts from the rear-wheel-drive Ford Sierra Cosworth rather than the mixed setup of the G27. The front had double wishbones and adjustable shock absorbers, the brakes were ABS-equipped discs all round, and a brake bias adjuster betrayed the car’s competition origins; power brakes were absent.
Sweden, the Series 2 and the end
The G33 was used in competition in Sweden, and lessons learned there led to continuous revisions, including extra chassis bracing and changes to spring ratings, while the rear bodywork was revised several times. For the Swedish and other export markets Ginetta could fit the Sierra Cosworth’s 2.0-litre YBG turbo four with a catalytic converter, developing 220 PS at 6,200 rpm and 290 N·m at 3,500 rpm, for a top speed of about 230 km/h and 0–100 km/h in 5.7 seconds. Ginetta ran into financial trouble in 1992 and production ended in early 1994 after 90 to 100 cars had been built; one source says 96, while 100 were needed for RAC homologation, so that number was claimed by the company. A longer-wheelbase G33 Series 2, also known as the G33 Club, was built in small numbers from late 1992 with either the Rover V8 or Ford’s 1.8-litre 16-valve Zeta engine. The moulds and rights went to Ginetta’s Swedish importer, who developed them into the G34.
Design and features
- Rover V8 power: the 3.9-litre engine gave 200 hp and a 0–60 mph time of five seconds.
- Cut-off windscreen: a body-coloured frame with clipped corners marked the G33 out from the G27.
- Sierra Cosworth suspension: a more competition-focused chassis than the G27’s mixed setup.
- Brake bias adjuster: ABS discs all round but no servo, in keeping with the car’s racing origins.
- Swedish option: a 220 PS Cosworth YBG turbo four with a catalytic converter for export.
Ginetta G33 versions
- G33 V8 (1990): the standard car with the 3.9-litre Rover V8.
- Swedish-market G33: the Sierra Cosworth YBG turbo engine with a catalytic converter.
- G33 Series 2 (G33 Club): longer wheelbase from late 1992, with Rover V8 or Ford Zeta power.
- G33SC (1994): a single prototype with fixed Mazda MX-3 headlights and Nissan 100NX taillights.
- Ginetta G34: the Swedish-built development of the G33.
The G33 was the V8 follow-up to the G32, and its moulds were developed into the G34 in Sweden. More cars are in the Ginetta collection.
Video: Top Gear Ginetta G33 review, 1991
Video on YouTube.
Sources
- Ginetta G27, English Wikipedia: G33 design, engines, suspension, production
