Ginetta G12 Race Car

Manufacturer	Ginetta Cars
Production	1966 to 1968
Class	Race Car
Engines	Ford

The Ginetta G12 was a race car built by Ginetta in 1966 to 1968.

History

The G 12. Bearing some similarity to the G4 theme, the G 12 used a tubular steel spaceframe chassis with centre body/cockpit section bonded to
it, and removable front and rear sections. It differed however, in its mid-engine configuration and in its role, which was to be racing car. 

Unveiled in 1966, the G12 was an evolution of the G4 but with new features. The car for extra strength came with a new tubular steel space frame chassis, the cockpit section mounted to this for improved handling and strength was made available in component form, selling at around £1200.

The light weight body was removable for easy repair or upgrades. The front suspension consisted of Triumph-derived uprights and double wishbones (with camber adjustment courtesy of rose-joints on the upper items) and coil springs. The rear arrangement of single upper transverse links with lower reversed wishbones fittted with rose-joints and radius arms was present, along with coil springs.

steering was rack and pinion. It had a front suspension which consisted of Triumph uprights and double wishbones (camber adjustment was provided by a rose-joint on the upper wishbone) and coil-spring/damper units. At the rear was the classic pattern of single upper transverse links with lower reversed wishbones with rose-joint for camber adjustment), double radius arms and coil-spring/damper units. Anti-roll bars were fitted front and rear. The car was fitted with anti-roll bars front and rear for increased handling and roll safety.

Triumph-sourced Girling disc brakes at the front and rear ensured increased stopping power with dual-braking master cylinders brakes 9 1/2-inch diameter from the Triumph Spitfire, outboard on all four wheels. The wheels were 13-inch Minilite Magnesium as a with the option of widths of 6-inch or 7-inch.

Initial cars were designed to take the Cosworth 997cc SCA inline-four engine power or similar engines. Larger engines as an Aston Martin V8 could be accommodated, but required extra strengthening of the chassis to take the additional power.

The G12 dominated outclassing Lotus Elan 26Rs and Coventry Climaxes, winning the small 1,150 cc MN series. Outside track racing,
the G12 also found success at hill climb events, before it was replaced by the G16. Approximately 28 were built. The sales figures were not as expected, because the uncompromising racing technology for road use was only partially suitable, the vast majority of all copies (about 40) was used in racing.