Ginetta G15S 1974

[Staniague]

Last year of manufacture of the G15, rear engined, 997cc, ~100hp, 4 speed, two variants: standard and wide body (flared arches) and front spoiler. Documented Ferrari killer back in the day (Dinos, 328s).

 

[Famine]

Ginetta G15 998cc 1974

Wasn't this engine only available in, and defining, the MkIII G15S? In which case the title ought to be Ginetta G15S 1974

As with your other thread, any images at all?

 

[Staniague]

Wasn't this engine only available in, and defining, the MkIII G15S? In which case the title ought to be Ginetta G15S 1974

As with your other thread, any images at all?

No, the S designation was for the two G15 that were built by the factory with ultra light weight bodies and chassis specifically for racing. All others from beginning of production to end were “G15” with the exception of the two G15 Super S VW beetle engined cars made for Art Allen to meet California emissions. All mine are “G15” with 875, 998, 1040, and 1228cc engines. Both standard and wide body.

 

[Famine]

No, the S designation was for the two G15 that were built by the factory with ultra light weight bodies and chassis specifically for racing. All others from beginning of production to end were “G15” with the exception of the two G15 Super S VW beetle engined cars made for Art Allen to meet California emissions. All mine are “G15” with 875, 998, 1040, and 1228cc engines. Both standard and wide body.

The Ginetta Owner's Club seems to disagree:

G15S

Club Ginetta owners G1 G2 G3 G4 G5 G6 G7 G8 G9 G10 G11 G12 G15 G16 G17 G18 G19 G20 G21 G22 G23 G24 G26 G27 G28 G29 G30 G31 G40 G50 G60 G55 G32 G33 G34

www.ginetta.org

Around 1970 the 998cc version became a model in its own right being designated the G15S as distinct from the G15.

I'm due a chat with Ginetta soon, so I can double-check, but I'd assume the club would be already in the know.

 

[Staniague]

The Ginetta Owner's Club seems to disagree:

G15S

Club Ginetta owners G1 G2 G3 G4 G5 G6 G7 G8 G9 G10 G11 G12 G15 G16 G17 G18 G19 G20 G21 G22 G23 G24 G26 G27 G28 G29 G30 G31 G40 G50 G60 G55 G32 G33 G34

www.ginetta.org

I'm due a chat with Ginetta soon, so I can double-check, but I'd assume the club would be already in the know.

I looked it up and you're correct. I see two references to the £100 option in 1968 to have a larger 998cc engine fitted instead of the the standard 875. I can't find any reference for when the 998 option became standard or when the 'S' designation was dropped. In 37 years of being involved with Ginetta, I've never heard any owner refer to their car as a G15S; nevertheless, you are correct that in 1968 the 998cc option was indeed an 'S'. The other correction is the lightweight racing G15s I mentioned. They were not 'S' but actually had a racing designation in the chassis number and there were apparently three built. The Super S information is correct, although some books state 1600 VW engines fitted in the USA and others reference a 2000cc VW engine (maybe because the Super Beetle was a 2000cc? IDK)

It would be interesting to ask Ginetta if/when they dropped the 'S' designation for the 998cc. Rootes group made the 998cc engine during the entire production run of the G15. Are you in touch with the club, Ginetta and/or Dare/Walklett?