An American-made two-door car from the 1970s with just over 45,000 miles that has never been driven in the snow or on salty roads? Oh yeah, and it has a four-speed manual transmission? What’s not to like? A few of you are compiling a mental list of items as we speak, and that’s ok. Not every vehicle is perfect for everyone, but for a lot of us, this 1978 Ford Granada two-door with a four-speed would be fun to own.
The first-generation Granada (and sister car, the Mercury Monarch) was made for the 1975 through 1980 model years and we’ve seen eight 1978 Granadas here on Barn Finds. Three of them have been four-door sedans (one was a repeat, so only two different four-door sedans), and the rest have been two-door coupe versions. I never would have guessed that, but two-door cars are decidedly more popular here so maybe that’s why.
A light blue car with a blue Landau vinyl top, white walls, and wire wheel covers isn’t exactly sporty, but anything with two doors will at least not get “Two too many doors!” comments, or I hope that’s the case because you typically need at least one door to get into the vehicle. Maybe, “One too many doors!” is more like it. This car looks fantastic in the photos, even underneath.
The seller mentions that this triple-blue beauty has never been driven on salty winter roads, and in fact, has never been driven in the snow. That’s amazing for a car this old, maybe because of being a special order model, including the factory four-speed manual shifter. Averaging around 1,000 miles a year since it was squeezed out of the factory in 1978, this Granada has an almost-like-new interior, including seats that look new both front and rear.
The engine compartment shows some surface rust here and there but nothing alarming. This isn’t the V8 that most readers wanted to see but is instead Ford’s 250-cu.in. OHV inline-six with 97 horsepower and 210 lb-ft of torque when new. Other than the red hose/hoses, it looks nice and original under that hood. The seller has it listed here on eBay in Chester, New York where the bid is $5,300. Have any of you owned a Ford Granada with a manual transmission?
Muted colors, but the torque of the inline 6 paired with the 4 speed is a formula for fun. No need to spend money on dual exhaust, although a nice set of the factory five spoke rims with trim rings would look great.
The HS Band teacher had this powertrain in a Monarch sedan, light yellow with the wheels I mentioned. It looked nice.
This i’s a rare, unique and not too desirable ride. Hopefully it can be bought at a realistic price.
Good job Scotty. I pretty much agree with Big_Fun, Granadas usually generate a mix of responses, but they certainly were successful sellers. I like this one, as it shouts “1970’s” with its light blue paint, vinyl roof, and wire wheel covers. It could be fun to drive, using the manual transmission to wring out some performance from the six-cylinder. Would like to see a Marti Report to learn how many came with four-speeds; it can’t be many. Looks to be in good shape, and has a limited audience, so it won’t be expensive.
My friend had one like this. 4th. gear is overdrive
Eggshell blue and a four speed? Had to have been a special order.
Where is the console?
I meant “console area”, Pat, but thanks for catching that.
Had a ’75 Granada Ghia 4 door, dark green over light green, 3 speed on the floor, 302 v8. Very nice cruising car and the floor shift was fun! These were under appreciated cars.
I think the current bid is about right. Unfortunately, not a lot of interest in these.
Very nice, and uncommon with the manual transmission, Grenada. The only thing I see that needs attention is the carpet. Let’s hope whoever gets it doesn’t butcher it by swapping out the engine.
Not much difference hp wise between the
302 and the 250
What about torque?
Owned one? Never even seen one until now.
I bought a new one in 1978 base 4 Dr with front bench st 250 6 4 on the floor local dealer had one the used for advertising with new Granada’s starting at $4200 thinking no one would buy the $4200 one they where upset when I brought it turned out to be a good car
I went to school with a kid whos Dad had a base model Grenada, 2 door same color as this with a 3 speed on the column. It was the only one I ever remember seing as a kid. Every other Grenada ( and Monarch for that matter) had an automatic.
The strange things you remember from your childhood, the gentleman who owned the Grenada I just mentioned was a heavy smoker. He somehow caught part of the dashboard on fire. The gauges still worked, the damage was more in the center, from what my fuzzy memory can remember. But he drove the thing like that for years.
Driveinstile your friend wasn’t Cheech or Chong was it. I was just curious when you said your memory was foggy=).
I had a 76 Light blue 4 door Granada with a 302 and factory 3 speed manual. It got better fuel mileage than several friends who had the 6 and automatic. Was a low quality build but a solid drive train.
It did ride well, had decent power and got over 20mpg highway which at the time was respectful. The R-12 ac worked very well. All in all, not a bad car for the time.
As already said, an over drive, just like Chrysler had in those years. I would rather have a standard 3sp. Nice car otherwise, though the dumb vinyl roof would be better gone and who ever designed that dash board, ugh! Same could be said for the el cheapo wire wheel covers, almost always bad. Chrysler had a little better ones, at least they had some depth, but nothing I would ever pay extra for.
The 4spd or any floor shift manual transmission negates “too many doors”.
This is the same dealer that’s selling the 1987 Caprice featured on this site yesterday.
Steve R
I have always wondered why we don’t see more of these and the Malibu of the same years as hotrods? Small and good looking with lots of room for V8. They just seem the natural candidate from the era to me.
1st fox right there, lub ta C late stang speedy bits on. MB (oldest car manufacturer still @ it?) coach-builder (Bentz?)used the Grenade-A wagon
for the last estate B4 MB began makin their own.
Perfect engine here (3.3 is a revie lill i6) for the AOD (no adapter plate needed). Add the VI head?:
https://www.vintageinlines.com/product-page/deposit-only-aluminum-head-package
EFI it 1st?
o0OP, now I see the “250” (a stroked 3.3 to 4.1)
AND
not the ‘top loader’ but a 4th being an OD.
Even beddah. Less mods required @ my house…
IIRC one of the magazines did a feature on a lightly modified Granada like this. Exhaust, suspension and wheels on a car with the same drivetrain to emphasize that there was still a little fun to be found in the dark ages. This would be a good fair weather driver that you’re not going to see everywhere.
My dad traded in his 74′ Mustang for a dark green Granada 78′ with 302/auto.
A friend in high school had one of these, I had a ’70 Mach 1. I rode in it once, I remember thinking “this thing sucks!”. Unlike most 70’s vehicles, I still don’t care for that boxy look of the Granada/Monarch. This one is in amazing condition, so I imagine somebody will really appreciate it.
My first new car was a silver door with the standard 3 on the tree auto. Remember it being a nice, economical, fun car to drive. Felt almost like a luxury car at a compact car price. Don’t remember ever having any problems with it til a drunk driver in a pickup cut in front of me and I “T-Boned” him. Did quite a number on the pu and some but not a major repair on the Ford. This would make someone a great driver
..
Sure did own one, a 1977 with the six and a four speed manual. Metallic Jade Green with a white vinyl half top and bucket seats with factory aluminum spoke look wheels. Ordered new but late in the model year and they ran out of bell housings for the V-8 and sent this in for us to try and we loved it, but missed the Ford V-8 dual exhaust sounds we get from our old Mustangs.
Went to the local Ford dealer in September of ‘80 to buy a new car, because I couldn’t afford the down payment on a used one. Looked at a nice Granada with 250/auto,($6500) but wanted something with better fuel economy. Bought a Fairmont Futura with a 200 and the 4 speed OD. Great car. Roomy, fun to drive, and good for 28 mpg. Traded in my clapped out Mustang II, no money down- my payment went up like $12 per month, to $151 and change. Those were the days.
Its all relative. How much were you making annually? My guess is better than now because the economics were fairer for the masses, but in general, the 150 a month is like 750 a month now if you think about iy. Futura was a great car.
Not only is it relative to inflation but what you spend/t your money on. Also, in 1980 a max term loan was more like 48- months. That 750 pmt is maybe a $30,000 vehicle over 4-years.
I had a Torino with that 250 cubic inch straight six. One thing I can say about that engine is that it had absolutely no power.
I had a light blue with a white vinyl top, and a dark blue interior, 1976 version. I preferred a V8, but since it was stick, that convinced me to buy it. My six cylinders ran good and MPG was reasonable. Later on I bought a 78 Fairmont Futura with the same drive train and it also was a nice driving car. I wouldn’t hate having another one, but the one for sale is about 2800 miles away from me.
No mention of the Lincoln Versailles which was Lincolns luxury version of the granade to attract the diamond pearl and fur coat crowd.
I don’t know why I was attracted to the first gen Granada but I was from day one. The fact it’s a manual makes it even more attractive. This car is special at least it is to me. Is
There was nothing sporty about the person that ordered this car. I read, after 1977, no Ford car had a column shifted manual. The only way was a floor shift. It’s rare, as only 179 of these were made in’77, not many more in ’78. Given my views on manual transmissions for today, this is no different. The 6 is a great motor, but many will pass on the stick. For those long time shifty holdouts, I think it would be a fun car to drive.
Auction update: this one made it to $6,200 and didn’t meet the seller’s reserve so no sale.