1992 Ginetta G33

Highlights

• V8-engined classic British sportscar
• Under 40,000 miles
• In current ownership for 26 years
• Rebuilt diff
• Light weight, quick, and very rare

Overview

When it comes to classic British sportscars, there’s plenty to choose from. What happens if you want something a bit out of the ordinary? Well you could take your favourite features from the pantheon of greats, and distil them down into one single model. This can be the only explanation for why the Ginetta G33 is so fabulously styled, with its flamboyantly curved wings, shapely front grille, pop-up headlights, and even an impractical fabric roof.

This particular G33 is finished in a suave shade of deep blue, and its excellent leather interior makes this car a very pleasant place to be as you listen to the thrum of the Rover V8 engine in front of you. Claimed power figures vary a little but with around 200hp being sent to the rear wheels, you can certainly still have plenty of fun. The lightweight body allows for good handling, while a torque figure of 220 lb ft provides a great deal of grunt to get you going.

A hefty stack of paperwork accompanies this Ginetta, which details the car’s mechanical maintenance since the current owner acquired it in 1999. And with this long ownership, and low mileage, it certainly seems like a car that has been cherished.

So if you’re looking for a well maintained and thoroughly useable example of this lesser-known sports car, then here we have a very tempting proposition.

History and documentation

• Registered 1 Apr 1992
• Original Ginetta G33 Owner’s Handbook
• Owned by the current keeper since 1998
• Only two registered former keepers
• Large collection of invoices
• The vendor tells us they have all the car’s old MOT certificates, as well as two large box files of invoices dating back to 1998
• There is also some paperwork from the car’s first two keepers
• Two sets of keys
• Current MOT expires 27 Jul 2024
• V5 present in owner’s name
• Registered as kit built
• Under 40,000 miles recorded
• HPI clear

Interior

• The leather interior of this Ginetta has stood the test of time and remains in good condition throughout
• The seat upholstery is particularly well preserved
• There are very few signs of wear and tear to the leather
• The door cards are free from significant scratches or scuffs, but there are a few creases in the leather
• Three-spoke Ginetta steering wheel
• A stereo cassette player is fitted in the centre console
• The vendor informs us that the speakers are wired up but the radio is lacking an aerial, so remain untested
• The instrument cluster is well appointed, including a 90° offset tachometer
• All gauges and warning lights are said to be in working condition
• To the rear, the surprisingly spacious boot is carpeted throughout
• The fuel filler cap is located within the boot
• Trickle-charger wiring fitted
• Battery cut out switch fitted in the cabin
• Overall, the interior is a very pleasant place to be, without any unnecessary extras

Exterior

• The Ginetta styling takes inspiration from some of the most iconic sports cars in history
• It’s a design which looks both timeless and achingly appealing, even today
• The deep blue paint work suits this car very well, and is in great shape
• There are a few small chips and scratches to be seen, but nothing too significant
• In the past, both doors have been resprayed after sustaining minor dents
• Of course, the most important feature of this car is its pop-up headlights, which do still pop up
• The vendor had the wheels refurbished 15 years ago, and they remain in excellent cosmetic condition
• The tyres were reportedly replaced in 2017, roughly 9000 miles ago
• These are the car’s third set of Toyo Proxes which are said to retain plenty of tread
• All the lamp lenses look clear and bright, with no signs of clouding that we could see
• There’s a small amount of delamination at the base of the windscreen
• Noted by the seller is the fact that the bonnet may benefit from removal and refitting; it’s reportedly caused no problems but there is a technique to lowering it slowly and making sure it drops squarely onto the catches.
• The mohair roof can be erected in case of inclement weather
• The fabric looks very fresh, with no obvious stains or fading
• Underneath, everything looks very clean and tidy, with only a little surface corrosion present

Mechanical

• 3,948cc Rover V8 engine
• Five-speed manual gearbox
• The engine bay looks very clean and tidy
• With the one-piece front panel open, there is good access around the engine
• The seller tells us that most of the ignition and fuel systems have been recently replaced, while trying to trace a starting issue
• This was eventually diagnosed as a faulty ignition amplifier
• Similarly, a misdiagnosed rear wheel bearing issue led to an entire rebuild of the diff
• The only remaining reported issue is that it’s possible to sometimes select reverse gear instead of first, due to an issue with the tensioning spring in the selector
• The exhaust system is all stainless steel, other than the cast iron manifold
• The nearside rear hub carrier has been repaired due to a pothole-induced injury
• Some MOT advisories indicate wear in the front lower suspension bushes, some play in the rear wheel bearings
• A fluctuating nearside front brake was addressed by a full rebuild of the front brakes in July 2023
• The stacks of invoices accompanying the car detail just how much has been spent on its maintenance over the years
• The seller tells us that there have been no major engine, other mechanical or bodywork issues during his 26 years of ownership

Summary

This Ginetta offers a great mix of V8 power, bold styling, and rarity value. It allows you to indulge your need for a powerful sportscar without worrying that someone else will turn up at the ball wearing the same dress as you. It looks fantastic, and has the V8 soundtrack to back this up.

To arrange a viewing, please request this in the Q&A section. You can click through to the seller's profile and use the 'Email Me' function to arrange a viewing privately. This seller is located in Axminster, Devon.