I typically wouldn’t give a 1978 Ford Granada more than a passing glance. It won’t find its way to the top of a list of the world’s most desirable classics, and many Granadas from this era long ago made their final journey to the scrapyard. However, there is an exception to every rule, as demonstrated by our featured Granada. It presents exceptionally well, and with only 13,454 miles showing on its odometer, that is unsurprising. It isn’t loaded with factory options, but those chosen by the first owner will provide a comfortable motoring experience. I must say a big thank you to Barn Finder Jack M. for spotting the Ford listed here on Hemmings in Addison, Illinois. The seller set their price for this spotless survivor at $14,994.
When Ford began developing the Granada, it planned to market it as a replacement for the Maverick. However, with the early-1970s energy crisis, the Maverick remained on sale, and the Granada hit the market in 1975. The company positioned it as a premium model between the Maverick and the Torino. The First Generation remained on sale until the end of 1980, while our featured car left the line in 1978. Finished in Gold with a Parchment vinyl top, its presentation is superb. There are no apparent cosmetic shortcomings in the seller’s comprehensive image gallery, and the underside shots seemingly confirm its rust-free status. The trim and glass are as spotless as the rest of the exterior, and the Deluxe wheel covers are perfect.
Thankfully, the first owner wielded their pen on the Order Form in 1978, ordering this Granada with the range-topping 302ci V8. It is disappointing that they didn’t also select the four-speed manual transmission. Still, the combination of a three-speed automatic, power steering, and power front disc brakes should provide an effortless driving experience. Don’t expect the Granada to be fast, because the V8 produces a modest 139hp and 250 ft/lbs of torque. However, performance would have felt quite competent during the Malaise Era. The mileage claim must be taken at face value in the potential absence of documentary evidence, although the car’s presentation makes the figure plausible. The listing indicates that the Ford is a turnkey proposition, allowing the buyer to indulge in immediate classic motoring gratification.
When a seller doesn’t provide evidence to confirm low-mileage claims, it is often worth scrutinizing the car’s interior for signs that it has covered more miles than stated. Finding fault with this Granada’s interior is virtually impossible, and the fact that it retains several factory-applied stickers that would typically have disappeared is reassuring. The cloth and vinyl upholstered surfaces look excellent, with no visible wear on the front seat. The back seat looks perfect, and the carpet, particularly below the driver’s feet, is spotless. The faux timber isn’t faded or worn, and neither is the wheel. Creature comforts include air conditioning, cruise control, a tilt wheel, and an AM/FM stereo radio.
This 1978 Ford Granada presents superbly, and if the odometer reading is verified as genuine, there could be very few examples prowling the streets with similar mileage. Its condition is well above average, which is appropriate given the price is far higher than the market average. Some new cars are marketed as niche models, and this Granada shares the same quality in the classic world. While vehicles like First Generation Mustangs generate significant interest, this Granada will appeal to a smaller pool of potential buyers. What it does graphically demonstrate is that even the most “pedestrian” vehicle can stand out if the overall condition is good enough. Will that equate to sales success? Only time will tell.
At first glance I thought it was a Mercedes!
I’ll hold while you get your glasses!
That was their intent!
The conversation that never happened-
“Let’s go to the Mercedes dealer, I want to buy you a new Mercedes for our anniversary”
“Actually, I would prefer a Ford Granada, it’s just like a Mercedes”….
Lol!! I remember those commercials!!
The European 🇪🇺 flavor was intentional GC19 on the Grenada model lol. Sweet car, good write up Clarkey, 4sp stick in there would’ve been icing on the cake.
Another Granada, in very very nice condition. It almost looks factory-fresh.
I wish the manufacturers would go back to offering eye-catching colors like this. I guess they will, when consumer demand swings back that way.
Like many things in the auto industry today, consumer demand has little to do with it. It’s all about saving money and turning the biggest buck. Multiple choices of colors costs money….and making small cars and pickups isn’t profitable. We are in a different world today, where the consumer must take whatever is available when it comes to necessities like vehicles. Sadly, I don’t see it swinging back the other way in my lifetime.
Color is consumer driven. We’re only beginning to see a return of some color like blue and green. As you drive around look at the number of black gray and white vehicles you see with the windows tinted black. People today crave anonymity.
Ford does offer an eye popping Orange Fury Metallic on the Bronco Sport, but it costs an extra $1000. The 3 free colors are the usual…. grey, black and white, which sadly the buying public typically opts for.
This Granada is stunning, as I love Malaise Era cars. Worth the price tag? Meh. It does have a lot of options and is in a rare color, so maybe….
Lots of Granadas lately. All we’re missing is a pre-facelift 4 door to complete the set. My favorite fun fact with them is that one of the few things not on the Iacocca-length options list for them was a gauge package.
This one looks like top dollar for a top example.
Pre-facelift 4-door? You mean like this one from Mach 2026?
https://barnfinds.com/beautiful-in-brown-1975-ford-granada/
I always thought that the speedo and gas gauge was kind of bare minimum and looked silly on the dash. How cool would it have looked with a tach and temperature gauge beside them
Here is a ‘pre-facelift’ 4-door to complete your set
https://barnfinds.com/beautiful-in-brown-1975-ford-granada/
It’s funny, when I was a kid, this was exactly how all of the cars my parents had were optioned. At least the ones that my mom had (i.e., Air Conditioning). Power windows were seen as freakish opulent items (as were cloth seats, for that matter). When we got the first car with power windows, it was incredibly, indecently luxurious…
This is truly one amazing time Capsule. I wouldn’t be surprised if it was in a climate controled storage facility at one time. If it were mine I would almost be afraid of driving it because I wouldn’t want to ruin it. Nice one Adam!!! Great find Jack M. Too
These were the Granadas I remember when they were new. Most had air. Some had cruise. Remote mirror FM and vinyl top rounded out the package. This is a neat time capsule, seat covers and all.
Get is now before all the doo dads start to fall off.
nice car but i don’t see $14k for just a driver 4 door not much value in my humble opinion
Makes this Granada seem like a bargain:
https://bringatrailer.com/listing/1977-ford-granada-2/
Thanks for the link it’s practically half the price and the same car!
We seem to have had an overabundance of Granadas lately
IDK if it’s an overabundance as I enjoy seeing cars from my younger days. I do ask the same question as to where they’re coming from. There is a ’71 Corvette that I know of that is original owner and those are becoming rarer everyday. Just who buys a car like a Granada and sits on it? A friend of my mother’s bought a Plymouth Breeze and only drove it 800 miles in its first year. That lady was around 80 years old. At that rate this car would have had numerous owners who just didn’t drive it? They weren’t that bad a car.
Guess this site got more hits on the grenade by ford and they are riding the wave.
🙂
I do believe the mileage claim as the underhood stickers are present and affixed in such a lazy way..tilted etc…Something a restorer wouldnt do to a Granada of all things.Plus it has just enough underhood light wear to help.
these are coming out of the woodwork like ants at a picnic.
Anybody else besides me notice the paint on the underhood grommets at the front of the engine compartment?
Other than that, a beautiful example as it should be.
Oh Look a Granada ready for Hollywood .
Whomever buys this better realize it’s the nicest one left
Nice cars. Nothing domestic was great in the late 80’s, early 90s. About the best you could hope for was adequate performance, acceptable reliability, exceptional comfort and reasonable fuel economy. Granda’s delivered on all those counts. Sure the 302 was neutered. Of course the Maverick/Falcon underpinnings weren’t sophisticated. But they’d sail down the road in comfort and give you 18-20 mpg, not bad for the day. Nice example, just missing buckets & a console to be perfect!
In that era i was more partial to the GM A/G bodies that looked fresher than the Granada/Monarch twins but i have to admit that they are growing on me with age as a sedate and respectfull sedan
Boy, we’ve had a rash of Granadas on here lately. This one is probably the nicest one although I really liked the 351-equipped 2 door from a few days ago.
I would probably remember the interior smell of these cars if I sat in this one. This might be the nicest one left in the country.
Pretty amazing condition for a Granada. Always love seeing the Armour All power washed engine compartments lol. I wouldn’t quite call that glass spotless. It looks like someone was doing some target practice with the windshield.
My job in 1978 required lots of travel, generally sixty to seventy thousand miles per year in a company vehicle. In 1978 my employer provided me with a new Granada. It was the best looking and nicest company vehicle I was ever provided but, regrettably, it would not travel in a straight line. It was exhausting to drive. The local Ford dealership could not resolve the problem. Ford sent two factory service experts who also were defeated by the wandering Granada. After suffering for 70,000 miles I finally received a new LTD II company car that drove great.