Yes, I used the word elegant in relation to a Ford Granada. Sure, a Mercury Monarch could be considered more elegant and a Lincoln Versailles, even more. A Mercedes-Benz, which was the basis for a few advertisements, even more so. The seller has this 1976 Ford Granada Ghia listed here on eBay in elegant-sounding Harvard, Illinois and they’re asking $12,950 or you can make an offer.
See! I don’t care what anyone thinks, that’s an elegant profile! Well, I do care, I didn’t mean it that way, but other than a weird perspective which may have been a wide-angle lens that caused the wheels to look like they’re bent at weird angles, that side view is great. Most of you have seen the Mercedes-Benz 450 SLC comparison ad, it does make a good point if you think about it.
The twin exhaust pipes sticking out of the back aren’t super elegant, that would go away in the first week under my ownership, but somebody liked the look so that’s all that matters. The first-generation Granada was made for the model year 1975 until 1980 and they never came in a station wagon or convertible, which is a shame. Both of those body styles would have been nice, in my opinion.
The seller has owned this car for a year and I don’t see a flaw in it either inside or out – even underneath, it looks almost perfect. A red interior would have been great here, but the seats basically look brand new both in the front and in the back as does the trunk compartment. This one even has power windows, an elegant touch, especially for a Granada in 1976. The second-gen Granada that came after 1980 was based on the Fox platform and that one came in a wagon body style.
The engine compartment could have used a couple of hours of detailing, it would have made a big difference in the appearance. It looks good, though, and it houses Ford’s 351 cubic-inch V8 with around 140 hp. The seller says that the only real problem is that the steering column bearing needs attention soon and that sounds ominous. Given the visual condition, ice-cold AC, and everything else, what are your thoughts on this Granada? Can a Ford Granada ever be considered “elegant”?
Maybe it’s just me, but nothing makes me suspect an air conditioning system patch job like the phrase “blows ice cold”. First of all, an auto a/c will never blow ice cold – it wasn’t designed that way. Second of all, if that is your only frame of reference for the climate system operating properly, then you really should buy this car and find out why the engine appears in such god-awful condition with less than 30K miles on it. Sorry – but I was triggered by the cheap used-car salesman language. How about instead, “the air conditioner works perfectly”?
An A/C comment that always irritates me is “not working but probably just needs a charge.” A/C repair for a failed system can be expensive; ask me, I know. The A/C in my ’95 F150 quit while the truck was parked for 11 years and not only is it difficult to find somebody to work on an R12 system, but the only one I could find in my area charged by the gram for R12. I ended up converting the whole system to R134A because it was cheaper but not cheap. If you’re interested in a car and the seller says, “the A/C probably just needs a charge,” ask him why he didn’t just have it done himself. That should tell you something. At any rate, I would find out what the system will cost to repair before I’d consider buying any car.
Back when the government announced the ban on R12, I bought two 30lb bottles. One of the wiser investments I made. One is still sealed.
My brother had a ’77 Corolla that had an aftermarket AC unit that would blow out bits of ice … paid $500 for it in ’86 and used it on a paper route, one of those tube ones you see down south … always surprised me when a bit of ice would hit my arm …
30,000 miles AND 46 years old. I get suspicious when an engine is totally detailed. And yes, the “ice cold” descriptor is straight from the white belt/shoes, polyester plaid, Herb Tarlic book of salesmanship.
Back in the R12 age, frost flakes from the a/c vents was not uncommon.
Had a 4 door Ghi. So-so car. In drive you can’t reach the radio knobs. It rusted out so I parted it out. Disc brake rear ended up in my Mustang and the leather seats are in a 109 Land Rover. Don’t remember where the engine trans went. I can’t see more than $2000. It is a plain boring car.
I don’t know about “Elegant”, but an unmolested Granada Ghia coupe with a 351 is a pretty rare mainstream ’70s ride. Most of these had the six or a 302, 351’s were rare as were Power Windows. Too bad this one did not receive the floor shift/console to go with those nice buckets. Even today, it’s not hard to see how Ford moved a lot of these. Lots of style and faux-luxury compared to a Nova/Omega/Apollo and smaller than a Monte Carlo or Cordoba.
I like everything about it, except the price. Oh, and the exhaust tips, and the used car salesman language.
I always liked the look of these cars – and this one is especially nice. I can’t tell if there is a slight dent in the passenger door, or is that just a reflection? If you want one of these, this is probably the one to get! It’s worth some money, but I’m not sure it’s worth $13,000. It definitely helps that it’s a V8! I don’t remember the 351 V8 being offered, I thought they were all 302s or 6 cylinder engines, but if it’s a 351 that’s a huge plus.
That 351 was the first thing to set off the alarm, ’cause I also seem to remember the Granada offering just the 250 L6 or the 302 V8.
The 351 was available during the 1975-77 model years. A friend of mine had a fully loaded 1975 Monarch Ghia sedan with it back in the day. They didn’t sell very many because it gave less than 10 HP over the 302, and drank quite a bit more fuel.
Yes, they were available. I have a 76 with the 351w, it’s right on my window sticker. Get told by “FORD GUY’S ” all the time.
Ford Granada, Mercury Monarch, Lincoln Versailles, Mercedes-Benz. The automotive food chain.
As a former Ford mechanic I always HATED this car!
Someone paid a similar price for one at the Mecum auction this weekend. https://www.mecum.com/lots/HA0322-506406/1978-ford-granada/
Elegant ? Yes. Compare with the grotesque Torino. Monte Carlo. Mustang II. Olds Toronado. Cougar. Mark whatever. Town Car.
Greater presence than a Valiant Brougham, Volare/Aspen, Hornet or Nova.
More in the realm of a Seville. A ’68 Mark III. Trim. Clean lines. A sane size.
Elegant is the proper description.
Never knew they had the 351 available,just makes it more cool than it already is,to bad it’s black
My father bought a new one in about 1976. Surpising to me is he ordered it with the V8 and 4 speed standard transmission. He was in his 70s. He left it with me when he went on an overseas vacation. For the times (1976) it was pretty quick. When he got back he traded it in on a Ford Festiva.
There’s something about these cars, when they have the bumper guards on the front, that makes them look like they’re fretting about something. “Which car is yours? Oh, the one that looks like it’s worried about where you are going to be driving it.”
That said, this one looks in excellent shape, I can still feel all the hard plastics on the inside and smell the eggy early catalytic converters from when my dad had one as a demonstrator back in the ’70s.
My dad bought my mother a new 1976 Granada, she had just got her license at the age of 38. It was considered a smaller version of the LTD. It was the first new car my dad ever bought. The Granada looked great and was comfortable to ride in, but that was the only good things about it. The car always leaked fluids from the 302 V8 engine, and it was bad about stalling. Others that we knew that had also bought Granada cars had the same problems. I think consumer reports had rated it very poorly several years later. Also for some reason, we lost more gas caps for this car than any other vehicle, course that was our fault, not the car’s.
Being a ford guy , I like it , but I never thought I’d see the day when any 70s ford was going for 13 grand. Particularly a MINI LTD.
What engine did the Ford Granada have?
The Ford Granada was equipped with a 200 cubic-inch inline-six engine as standard, with a 250 cubic-inch inline-six as an optional engine. Shared with the Maverick, the 302 Windsor V8 was offered as an option; the 351 Windsor V8 was an option solely for the Granada.
1st fox bodied (v Panter platform). Ghia pretty rare. Wagon more rare but cougar wagon almost non-exsistant today.
Whats not to like, drives like a modern car. SPFI it and smile for 300Kmi.
I also very much like the looks of these. I also like the faux luxury they offered in a pleasing, nice sized car. I too question the 13000 price and feel that’s too rich by a few thousand but perhaps someone will disagree and buy it.
Nice to see it left stock pretty much
Always had a fondness for these as I learned to drive on my mom’s 75 Granada. Drove it my first year of college. It had a 302 that never got more than 12-16 MPG even when new and by the time it reached 85-90K it used a quart of oil and dropped a quart of oil on the ground in a week’s time so I never needed to change the oil. Just had to put oil in every time I filled up the tank with 70 cent gas. The engine light was always on so I just removed the bulb. Sadly it rusted away rather quickly. Ahh, memories.
Had a 77 Granda Ghia 4 door with a 302. Was a solid full frame car. Was my 1st car. Hardly a chick magnet but was fun with friends. Always wanted a 2 door model. Tempting
I recall my Dads 76 LTD blowing bits of ice or frost outta the AC , of all the issues that car had , bad AC was not one of EM. Really thought we were in high style in that beast
I actually owned this car July 2021-December 2021 that is when the lister bought it from me and decided to flipped it. It had more issues than he stated. Leaking basically everything (oil, coolant, exhaust) and gas pump wasn’t great could smell it when tryin to start it. It would overheat after running to long and had to put in new coolant weekly. I had to change out the pos/neg cables to battery for it to start (that still took a bit of work never started first try unless had just been running 30min prior). The battery was in great condition. Pretty sure starter was giving up. The A/C did blow ICE cold. Radio even worked great. The steering wheel bearing was bad and needed replaced ASAP he did have that right. Reliable even with the issues he drove it from Auburn IN to Harvard IL no issues and I only had it give out in middle of a drive once (before I changed pos/neg cables) but had it goin again after a quick jump. Had interior and exterior imperfections (cracks and chips). Overall was a nice vehicle but needed a lot of work and I didn’t have the time or proper place to store it.
Yes, 351w were offered…I have one !