Some enthusiasts will avoid a project build because they fear that an appropriate classic will cost a fortune before they start. However, this 1979 Ford Granada demonstrates that there are affordable candidates, especially considering that it features a V8 under the hood. The seller states that this Ford runs and drives well, allowing the new owner to take their time to plan their path and assemble the funding to turn their dream into reality. I must say a big thank you to Barn Finder Tony P for spotting the Granada listed here on Craigslist in Eugene, Oregon. You could take it home after handing the seller $2,800, which is a modest figure for a vehicle with a V8/4-speed drivetrain configuration.
Ford released the First Generation Granada in 1975, slotting its latest offering between the Maverick and Torino as a premium compact model. It remained in production until its replacement hit showroom floors for the 1981 model year. The first owner ordered this four-door Sedan in 1979, choosing White as the exterior shade. That makes this an exceptionally subtle vehicle that would hardly have turned a head in 1979. The fact that these cars emerged at the height of The Malaise Era means that most of these vehicles made their final trip to the scrapyard many years ago. Therefore, finding a roadworthy one today can be challenging. It won’t win many awards for desirability, but if someone is searching for a practical and affordable project candidate, it deserves a closer look. The paint looks very tired, and a repaint will undoubtedly be close to the top of the new owner’s “to-do” list. There is evidence of emerging surface corrosion, but no signs of penetrating rust. The car’s underside is a mystery, and with the engine bay also showing corrosion, an in-person inspection is probably justified. The panels are straight, most of the trim looks acceptable for a driver-grade build, and the glass is clear.
This shot reveals the corrosion previously mentioned, and is why I would climb underneath this Granada before spending any money. However, looking beyond the cosmetic imperfections reveals a 302ci V8, teamed with a four-speed overdrive manual transmission. The 302 is no fireball, with Ford quoting power and torque figures of 137hp and 243 f/lbs. Those numbers look positively asthmatic by modern standards, but were within customer expectations in 1979. However, there are options available if the buyer isn’t focused on originality. It might be worth searching for someone parting out one of the last of the Fox-Body Mustangs, especially a GT version. Slotting the fuel-injected 5.0-liter engine under this hood would provide a massive performance gain and, if the exterior was restored to its factory form, would transform the Granada into a genuine sleeper. That is a decision that could be made at leisure, because this classic is in excellent mechanical health. It recently received a new fuel tank, sender unit, and front brakes. The tires are excellent, and this Granada is a turnkey proposition for its next owner.
Just as performance is relative, the same is true when referring to a car from this period as a premium model. Features taken for granted as standard today often cost a significant amount in 1979. That is why this Granada features vinyl trim, an AM radio, and faux woodgrain as its luxury touches. Buyers could personalize these cars with an enormous selection of factory options, but it appears that this Ford’s first owner was playing it safe. This interior is tidy, but it will not win many show trophies. The vinyl upholstered surfaces are free from rips and tears. The dash is presentable, but the pad looks baked and has developed its first crack. The wheel has also cracked, and the carpet looks tired. There are alternatives for potential buyers to consider. A new carpet set retails for approximately $225, while a $50 dash cover would hide the crack. Throw a set of aftermarket slipcovers into the equation, and this interior would present well for an investment of under $500.
I won’t sugar-coat it, because if we compiled a list of the ten most desirable cars in American automotive history, the 1979 Ford Granada won’t rate a mention. If we expanded that list to a top one hundred, the story would remain unchanged. However, that doesn’t make this car one to be ignored. It is undeniably affordable and, as I have already mentioned, it could be turned into a sleeper relatively inexpensively. I know that it is unlikely to become an appreciating asset, but is this a project that you might consider pursuing further?
That’s great, Adam and Tony P! This can’t last long at that price; it has star potential for any car show, despite some scary-looking rust, which is a bit surprising since it’s in Eugene, OR.
It didn’t.
It’s GONE.
Good write-up Adam, Yes it’s a very-Malaise Granada. And it’s white. And it’s a four-door. And it looks tired in places. But it has some mechanical updates. And you can use it to pick up the grandkids from school or take them to soccer. You can maintain it with parts from AutoZone. And bonus!!!: manual transmission (amazing to think it was even still available in 1979). All for the price of that fancy new refrigerator your wife wants.
Bob, I would take this Grenada over a fridge for sure!!! Actually I will say that the rims definitely dress it up, and I think it may have been ordered that way because the spare matches. But, I’m no expert. Either way they do dress it up a bit. But its that 302 and 4 speed that really caught my attention. Someone wanted a little fun when they ordered this.
Dave
If you can get a year or two of reliable transportation out of it and are looking for something a bit different with a manual transportation you can’t lose. The asking price of $2,800 doesn’t get you much nowadays, especially if it’s not rusty and is simple enough to repair by someone that is handy with a tool set, let alone a home mechanic. It’s not a difficult decision for someone that lives close, its worth taking a look to make sure the pictures and description aren’t deceptive if they aren’t, take a chance.
Steve R
And ………………..Gone!!
Had one almost like it except mine had the 250 inline six and an automatic transmission. Nothing much to write home about but it was a good, reliable car that served my wife and I very well even though it had
over 160K miles on it when we bought it in 1994. Yeah, the engine was really tired and burned more oil than I would’ve liked, but it never failed to start and ran great so long as you kept the plugs cleaned and gapped from week to week. I dressed it up with an AM/FM stereo cassette
deck and a really good set of speakers.
Outside, I buffed out and waxed the
paint til it shined like new money. I also removed the trashy window tint
and replaced it with a more acceptable type that wasn’t as dark as before. When I got done, I had a really sharp car that I was proud to own. Wound up selling it to a the nephew of a family friend in ’96 for $650. And what did he do? He totalled it before he paid me the first
payment on it! His aunt felt bad about it and wrote me a check to cover my losses. But that wasn’t the point. He should’ve paid for his own
stupidity– not his aunt. Learned a hard lesson with that one. Never again.
Posting deleted. This under-priced car probably sold in a day.
With the optional 351W, would it not be faster than a ’79 Mustang?!
Not sure if the 351 was avail with a 4 bbl or 4 speed tho.
No, it was only with an automatic and a 2 bbl carb. Had one in a Monarch and it was not fast at all.
I had the Merc Monarch version of this,but light blue exterior and grey velour seats.From behind the wheel you thought you were in a Marquis.Most comfortable car I ever had .
My next door neighbor bought one to replace his wife’s 1966 Mustang droptop, which became the daughter’s high school beater. Noteworthy only for their utter forget-ability, the Ford baroque styling of the period left these as Grandpamobiles in my mind and the minds of my teenage friends. Most were consigned to the scrap heap due to terminal rust, so the fact that this one has survived at all is noteworthy, but all in all, I’d rather have its lower priced sister, the Fairmont, as the Fairmont’s much simpler and cleaner styling is preferable to the baroque excesses of these cars. IIRC, this was also the basis for the Lincoln Versailles, Ford’s attempt to compete with the Cadillac Seville, but was even uglier, with a faux Mercedes grille grafted onto the nose of this otherwise mediocre automobile.
Believe it or not, they made a stripped version of the Monarch. My girlfriend in the mid-80’s had a late 70’s Monarch with the 6 cyl manual, and not a single luxury option.
Back from the era when a manual delivered both better performance and economy than a basic 3-speed automatic. This manual is Ford’s 3+OD box with the 4 th gear being a very tall overdrive for highway fuel economy. But a T-5 will slide right in and the 302 under the hood is fundamentally the same as a 215 hp FI 5.0 on a 90s Fox Mustang. A sound foundation for a helluva family sleeper.