The Mk1
The Ford Granada became a special breed. Their handling, style luxury and of course their sound was unmistakable. America had their petrol guzzling muscle cars, and this is what made the Ford Granada so popular. It looked and sounded just like them! So where do we begin? Well, the decade that taste forgot. The 1970's. Some bright spark decided to design a big saloon, for executives and families alike. They produced two versions with different trim levels.They were known as The Ford Granada and Ford Consul.
The Ford Consul was available in basic and L trim and came with either a 2000cc V4 or 2500cc V6 power plant available with top of the range being the now much sought after 3000cc Consul GT.
The Granada range offered the 2500cc and 3000cc versions only basic trim and the very luxurious fleet leader GXL version. With their tinted windows, sunroof, and power steering these Consul and Granada's sold very well on their launch with Fords also having to respond to public demand by introducing an estate version which was released in October.
In 1974, the Ford Granada coupe appeared sporting a 3.0 ltr V6 Essex engine, with only 2 doors and of course that famous fastback look.
The 3000 Ghia also appeared and caused a stir. It had a superb level of trim, with lovely wood dash, thicker sound proofing and of course the famous Ghia badge. Ford had bought Ghia in Turin and let them loose. The results would ensure that the word Ghia was always associated with a high level of trim in Fords and is still used to this day.
In 1975 as the world went mad on fuel crisis after fuel crisis and the Government grabbed hard earned cash, Ford produced some smaller engines, The smallest was the 2.0l fitted into the 2000 L. Then there was the 2500 L and finally the 3000 GL. The GL and L were produced when Fords decided to phase out the Consul name. The L and GL was later joined by the "S'' model to replace the Consul GT
With sports suspension and some lovely Rostyle wheels tied in with Power Steering and a 3.0 it was the one to have. Fun Fun Fun!
Of course the Ghia still remained top of the stack and had adopted the alloys and instead of the aluminium grill, which I think looks much nicer, a black front grill. In late 1976/early 1977 many models were sold with trim upgrades and extras. This was to make room for the new mk2.
The Ford Granada became a special breed. Their handling, style luxury and of course their sound was unmistakable. America had their petrol guzzling muscle cars, and this is what made the Ford Granada so popular. It looked and sounded just like them! So where do we begin? Well, the decade that taste forgot. The 1970's. Some bright spark decided to design a big saloon, for executives and families alike. They produced two versions with different trim levels.They were known as The Ford Granada and Ford Consul.
The Ford Consul was available in basic and L trim and came with either a 2000cc V4 or 2500cc V6 power plant available with top of the range being the now much sought after 3000cc Consul GT.
The Granada range offered the 2500cc and 3000cc versions only basic trim and the very luxurious fleet leader GXL version. With their tinted windows, sunroof, and power steering these Consul and Granada's sold very well on their launch with Fords also having to respond to public demand by introducing an estate version which was released in October.
In 1974, the Ford Granada coupe appeared sporting a 3.0 ltr V6 Essex engine, with only 2 doors and of course that famous fastback look.
The 3000 Ghia also appeared and caused a stir. It had a superb level of trim, with lovely wood dash, thicker sound proofing and of course the famous Ghia badge. Ford had bought Ghia in Turin and let them loose. The results would ensure that the word Ghia was always associated with a high level of trim in Fords and is still used to this day.
In 1975 as the world went mad on fuel crisis after fuel crisis and the Government grabbed hard earned cash, Ford produced some smaller engines, The smallest was the 2.0l fitted into the 2000 L. Then there was the 2500 L and finally the 3000 GL. The GL and L were produced when Fords decided to phase out the Consul name. The L and GL was later joined by the "S'' model to replace the Consul GT
With sports suspension and some lovely Rostyle wheels tied in with Power Steering and a 3.0 it was the one to have. Fun Fun Fun!
Of course the Ghia still remained top of the stack and had adopted the alloys and instead of the aluminium grill, which I think looks much nicer, a black front grill. In late 1976/early 1977 many models were sold with trim upgrades and extras. This was to make room for the new mk2.
The Mk2
In 1977 and the new model was unveiled. Basically it was the same car as the Mk1 S2, but with a new improved body shape. And would last for 8 years with some cosmetic changes. The interior was modernized and there was now a new range of engines available.
2.0 L
2.3 L
2.8 L V6
2.1 L Diesel
This meant that the range was vast, with various levels of trim, starting from the L as the lowest spec, all the way to the Ghia model.
Most also had central locking. Double wishbones, coil springs and gas shocks and a subframe mounted anti roll bar all helped with the performance of the vehicle. Rubber mountings to help reduce vibration and engine noise with light alloy wheels for the more executive models.
2.0 L
2.3 L
2.1 DL
2.8 L
2.8 iS
2.8 GL
2.8GLS
2.8 Ghia
Fuel injection had also been introduced for the 2.8 models. It gave better fuel economy and smoother ride and of course there was the estate also. The estate had acres of rear space but still remained an elegant design
.
Mk2 Facelift
In 1981, a face-lift model was revealed to the awaiting public. The rear lights were shaped with ribs in them and the bumpers flowed round the car. The grill was no longer black plastic, but pained and chromed to give it a more classy appeal. However, the dainty chrome side mirrors were replaced bybig chunky "modern" plastic ones.
The Ghia and above, sported lots of chrome on the bumpers and lovely over-riders with fitted light washers jets.
The range changed to:
2.3 L
2.5 DL
2.8 i L
2.3 GL
2.8 Injection
2.8 Ghia / iGhia
Power assisted steering was also standard throughout the range with a failing flow system that at low revs provided maximum assistance to make steering light and flow automatically decreases when the engine speeds up reducing assistance and therefore feeding more direct messages back to the driver.
The level of trim had also been up-dated. The Ghia had electric windows all round and not just at the front like that of the Mk2 series 1.
Equipment made standard to the "face-lift" model included remote control driver and passenger door mirrors, electrically operated operated on all apart from the L model, Power assisted steering, torch key, laminated windscreen, boot light for the saloons and intermittent windscreen wipe.
There was also a new kid on the block. The 2.8 Ghia X (also available in injection, much preferred by many). The X included heated front seats, air conditioning, trip computer and electric sunroof. The stereo was pretty good as well.
A multi function trip computer was available to the Ghia X estate and saloon models incorporating a clock, average fuel consumption average speed and how much fuel was left, in miles, in the petrol tank. Very useful !
An "executive" pack was made available for those who wanted a little extra luxury. This was finished off with a lovely soft leather seat option.
CAR Magazine at the time summed up the Granada, having given it a serious test drive, by stating that they "outhandle and outride some of the best cars in Europe". Can't argue with that !
In 1977 and the new model was unveiled. Basically it was the same car as the Mk1 S2, but with a new improved body shape. And would last for 8 years with some cosmetic changes. The interior was modernized and there was now a new range of engines available.
2.0 L
2.3 L
2.8 L V6
2.1 L Diesel
This meant that the range was vast, with various levels of trim, starting from the L as the lowest spec, all the way to the Ghia model.
Most also had central locking. Double wishbones, coil springs and gas shocks and a subframe mounted anti roll bar all helped with the performance of the vehicle. Rubber mountings to help reduce vibration and engine noise with light alloy wheels for the more executive models.
2.0 L
2.3 L
2.1 DL
2.8 L
2.8 iS
2.8 GL
2.8GLS
2.8 Ghia
Fuel injection had also been introduced for the 2.8 models. It gave better fuel economy and smoother ride and of course there was the estate also. The estate had acres of rear space but still remained an elegant design
.
Mk2 Facelift
In 1981, a face-lift model was revealed to the awaiting public. The rear lights were shaped with ribs in them and the bumpers flowed round the car. The grill was no longer black plastic, but pained and chromed to give it a more classy appeal. However, the dainty chrome side mirrors were replaced bybig chunky "modern" plastic ones.
The Ghia and above, sported lots of chrome on the bumpers and lovely over-riders with fitted light washers jets.
The range changed to:
2.3 L
2.5 DL
2.8 i L
2.3 GL
2.8 Injection
2.8 Ghia / iGhia
Power assisted steering was also standard throughout the range with a failing flow system that at low revs provided maximum assistance to make steering light and flow automatically decreases when the engine speeds up reducing assistance and therefore feeding more direct messages back to the driver.
The level of trim had also been up-dated. The Ghia had electric windows all round and not just at the front like that of the Mk2 series 1.
Equipment made standard to the "face-lift" model included remote control driver and passenger door mirrors, electrically operated operated on all apart from the L model, Power assisted steering, torch key, laminated windscreen, boot light for the saloons and intermittent windscreen wipe.
There was also a new kid on the block. The 2.8 Ghia X (also available in injection, much preferred by many). The X included heated front seats, air conditioning, trip computer and electric sunroof. The stereo was pretty good as well.
A multi function trip computer was available to the Ghia X estate and saloon models incorporating a clock, average fuel consumption average speed and how much fuel was left, in miles, in the petrol tank. Very useful !
An "executive" pack was made available for those who wanted a little extra luxury. This was finished off with a lovely soft leather seat option.
CAR Magazine at the time summed up the Granada, having given it a serious test drive, by stating that they "outhandle and outride some of the best cars in Europe". Can't argue with that !
The Mk3
In 1985, the all new jelly mould shaped Ford Granada as Ford introduced their new sleeker model, the Mk3. The introduction of the larger saloon hatchback was very unusual and the Granada still kept it's spacious interior and luxury feel. ABS was also introduced, which made light work of stopping the car, Again there were face lift models, and an estate, but also a saloon model, non hatchback, which proved popular with executives as well as families.
Engine sizes varied from 2.0 though to 2.9i and even a fast Cosworth version.
In 1985, the all new jelly mould shaped Ford Granada as Ford introduced their new sleeker model, the Mk3. The introduction of the larger saloon hatchback was very unusual and the Granada still kept it's spacious interior and luxury feel. ABS was also introduced, which made light work of stopping the car, Again there were face lift models, and an estate, but also a saloon model, non hatchback, which proved popular with executives as well as families.
Engine sizes varied from 2.0 though to 2.9i and even a fast Cosworth version.
The Mk4
During the late 80's the Granada name was dropped and changed to Scorpio, seen already in Europe, and then finally to the Ultima. in the 90's
During the late 80's the Granada name was dropped and changed to Scorpio, seen already in Europe, and then finally to the Ultima. in the 90's