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1961

Ginetta G4

Four brothers from Essex build a giant-killer.

GIN 461
Ginetta G4
Photo: Vauxford, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

The story

The Walklett brothers designed, built and sold their own sports cars from a small works in Essex. The tiny G4 weighed around 450kg and could be driven to a circuit, raced and driven home. It embarrassed far more expensive machinery.

Inside

Interior of the Ginetta G4
Photo: Liftarn, CC BY 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Almost nothing: two thin seats, a wheel and a handful of dials in a glassfibre tub.

In period colours

Tap a colour to respray the drawing.

Red
Did you know?

Ginetta is still building racing cars today, now in Yorkshire.

Meanwhile, in 1961

Yuri Gagarin became the first man in space, and Tottenham Hotspur won the league and cup double.

Best-selling single of 1961: Wooden Heart by Elvis Presley

Buying and running

Before you buy a 1960s car

  • Check the sills, floorpans, wheel arches and the bottom of the doors for rust.
  • Ask for any old MOT certificates, service records and bills.
  • Parts for popular cars are often available from specialists, but trim and body panels can be hard to find.

General notes, not specific to this model. Check the model's own history before buying.

Rivals of its day

Picked automatically: cars on sale at the same time with similar size, speed and price.

MG Midget1961 · 88 mphCompare
Lotus Elan1962 · 115 mphCompare

See the real thing

These open in a new tab: the car on Wikimedia Commons, the interior and the badge as Google image searches.

Flat out 020406080100120140 MPH
115 mph
First built1961
Age today65 years since launch
Built atWitham, Essex
On sale1961–1969
Years in production8 years
Number madeAbout 500
Kerb weight560 kg (approx.)
Fuel economy35 mpg combined (approx.)
Engine1.5-litre Ford four
Power90 bhp
Top speed115 mph
Speed rankingJoint 96th fastest of 164
0–60 mphNo reliable figure
Price when newFrom about £500 as a kit
In today's moneyAbout £14,500
Designed byIvor Walklett

Today's money: the launch price adjusted for inflation to 2026, using the Office for National Statistics price index.