The Granada debuted in 1975 as a “premium” compact car, slotted by Ford above the more basic Maverick. Its styling was influenced by the European sedans of the day, but mechanically, its unibody roots harkened to the days of the 1960s Falcon. This 1977 edition appears to be a decent survivor from the “Malaise” era of indifferent U.S. auto production, and you don’t see many of them still around. Located in what may be a commercial yard in Washington Court House, Ohio, and is available here on Facebook Marketplace for $5,000.
Ford first conceived the Granada as the eventual successor to the Maverick, but they changed their minds with the OPEC oil embargo in 1973. Instead, an upscale compact was envisioned for those buyers downsizing from the land yachts of the era. First-generation Granadas (1975 to 1980) had the same drivetrains as the Maverick, but the laundry list of options was quite extensive. The Granada would soon spawn the Mercury Monarch and Lincoln Versailles.
Production numbers for the Granada remained strong in 1977 at more than 390,000 units. Nearly half of those were 2-door coupes like the seller’s car. The seller doesn’t seem to know a lot about this car, including its drivetrain. We’re told it has a V6 engine, but only inline-6 and V8 power were offered. So, either a 250 cubic inch I-6 or a 302 V8 is likely under the hood, unless a substitution was made. A 3-speed on the floor seems logical though the seller also says it has an automatic tranny.
Whatever the reality is, we’re told the Ford runs well at 74,000 miles. The gold paint is rather faded, but maybe it can be coaxed back to life. The contrasting red interior is the opposite and quite tidy from what we can tell. The car has changed hands at least three times, which could explain the lack of history. If you’re looking for a set of cheap wheels, would this Ford catch your eye?
The Granada doesn’t have much (any) collector interest, being from the middle of the Malaise Era. And because it never had performance variants. But what it did accomplish was to fill the role of upscale compact, an emerging market segment at the time. All the while being based on ancient Falcon underpinnings. It sold well, and Ford must have made a ton of money on them.
This example might actually be worth some thought. Meager ad, the seller doesn’t really know anything about it. The two-door had clean styling. A plus is the floor-shifted manual transmission (I think it is a 4-speed with 4th being overdrive). The interior doesn’t look bad, and the Bright Saddle Metallic paint might respond to some elbow grease. Make sure it is mechanically sound, add some eye-catching wheels and tires, and you could have a now-rarely-seen Granada for not much money.
The FBM ad says V6 with a 3 speed. No problem. A 302/T5 will slip right in
I checked the Facebook ad interior photo. First, I thought it was a three or four speed manual shift on the floor, but if so, the clutch pedal sits lower than the brake pedal, not uncommon. Or is it just a wear spot on the carpet?
I went to school in Wilmington Ohio about 20 miles from Washington Court House, a county seat. This sits on a typical farm on the plains, noted for corn and hogs. That oxidized metalic paint will not come around like some others, but this car could be a decent deal. We just need someone to visit, not too far from Cincinnati.
I’ve always found the Granada to be a rather unappealing car. My grandfather purchased a new dark blue 1977 Granada from Sharp Ford in Indianapolis. As I recall these were supposed to be a low dollar competitor to the Mercedes Benz. Unusual is the manual transmission. As for the paint, its likely lacquer and past the point of rescue.
Agreed Bob, It gives off good daily driver vibes and up here in the rust belt we never see them anymore although I remember when they were everywhere and most of them were the same color. Polished up it would make a good conversation piece and should be fairly inexpensive to maintain if parts are still available. We can’t all afford good muscle cars but it’s still fun to have something unique in this sea of look alike SUVs.
Gold with a red interior? A special order for a guy who was colorblind? Or a repaint? But I dig the stick shift.
The color combination is very…… Unique…. Like Big C mentioned above me. I like that it’s a 2 door and a stick. I went to school with a kid back in the 70’s his Dad had a 2 door, very base model. It was that light Robbins Egg Blue ( Bob in TN has mentioned the color name before but it slips me now) it was a 6 with a 3 speed stick on the column. ( The only one I ever saw. I remember it mostly because his Dad was a heavy smoker and one day he somehow some way caught the dash board on fire. It had a huge hole burned out in it. He still drove it though. These used to be everywhere, and now due to rust or age. Not so much. It would be nice to see it saved.
I had a ’77 Granada Ghia back in ’82. 4 door with a 302. For a 17 year old it was a complete nerd mobile. But relative to friends 79 Dodge Diplomat with a 318 and a 77 Camaro with a 305 my car was boss when it came to a straight line. A.C. was good too. 😀
Dad bought a 1978 four door. It was very un-Dad like. My older brother totaled it on prom night, no one badly hurt. Dad replaced it with it with a ’69 Camaro convertible – the world was now back to normal.
I had a 1976 4 door with a 302 V8 and 3 speed floor shift manual. It ran rather well and pulled down better fuel economy than the inline 6 with auto. It rode well and was comfortable but it was a low quality product. Still the drive train was great. This looks to be a great driver as what can you buy that offers this much space, comfort and reliability at this price point.
I always like the look of these… Maybe because they reminded me of a short Lincoln…? Saw one hopped up back in the day, it looked pretty cool.
Everybody knew someone with a Granada, or if sportin’ some cash, the Monarch, an extra $200 bucks, and were incredibly popular. It was humourous to see people go through the progression, 1st Pinto, then Maverick, then Granada, as salary dictated. I think this is a 3 speed, as we were just on the cusp of fuel economy. Gas was still about .62/gal, but change was afoot. The cost of a base Granada, which may have included the 3 speed here, was about $4305. I’d imagine the 4 speed O/D added some, but wasn’t deemed worth it, at the time. Scotty wrote one up about a year ago with a 4 speed, and the shifter looked a bit different. Regardless, I read, over 2 MILLION Granadas were sold, and over half a million coughed up the extra bucks for the Merc, but was the same car. I think the 4 door was more popular with a family, but the 2 door appealed to a wide range of customers, single folks or dinks, and all had great luck. Going out on a limb, I’d say the Granada/Monarch was one of Fords best offerings for the public. Up and coming lower middle class, the people that made this country work,,,bought a Granada. Driven until the doors fell off, not many survived. A great find here.
I have a funny story about my Granada. I was working a territory in Miami and on a construction site when a mercury monarch coasted to a stop on the site with the radiator boiling over. In not a great area before cell phones and no pay phone around, the woman in the merc was in tears so I walked over to her and said it will be fine and it was her lucky day. I backed my Granada up to her monarch, opened my trunk where I had spare upper radiator hose and tools and got her off and running. What were the cataclysmic odds her car would die and there was a guy with a similar car and same engine with the exact molded hose and tools to fix it. I felt like I was her guardian angel that day!
bought a new one in 1978 first year with square headlights was a 250 i6 with 4 on the floor bench seat 4dr sedan
Amazing that there are any left in this condition.
I like it! Especially because of the manual gear box. If closer and maybe a bit cheaper. I would have a 5 speed in it, upgrade the tires, wheels, shocks and drive it. Maybe even if it was the the straight 6 cylinder.
Pop bought a new 1976 Granada Ghia 2 door for mom. Dove grey inside and out, vinyl roof, automatic, 302V8. What a gas hog. Poor performer as well. But mom loved it. Pop traded in mom’s 66 Fairlane, 2 door hardtop with a 289 for it. Man, I was hoping to get my hands on that Fairlane but the deal was done months before I found out.
I have a ’77 Ghia with a 302. Yes it is a “Malaise” car, but it does garner a lot of attention at car shows.
The “Nicest Granada Left On Earth” just sold on BaT for $6700. V8, auto, saddle brown and near mint paint and interior with 29,000 miles. This one is $2500. Maybe. I love a good malaise car, but never overpay because the desirability is very low.
Nothing with an autobox is the nicest anything on earth, lol!
Red flag, review claims scammer….check thoroughly!
Guy I knew locally restomodded one with a built 351C, 4 speed and posi rear. Sounded wicked and ran like it too! Had a couple Mustangs but did this to be different. Loved it!
I owned a similar car back when it was fairly new and it was a nice, dependable car. Not a powerhouse, but I prefer driving a stick shift, but not necessarily in a small car. The Granada was just right, as the baby bear once mentioned. The seller’s lack of knowledge about the car is scary, though. V6 or V8? Automatic? And rust concerns, considering where it’s from? I’d like to have another one, but this one has too little info for me to want to buy it and transport it to the West coast.
I bought one new. It was black exterior with red pinstriping and à half black vinyl roof. Interior was black buckets with automatic and center console. A 302 under the hood and chrome magnum 500 wheels. It was a a well put together car except for a vibration from the air conditioner when turn on. The factory rep approved an added bracket that braced the compressor to the block. No more issues.
sellers a big talker.
Seller probably inherited his grandpa’s Granada and thinks he is going to cash in.
I had a friend who bought a Salvage car a Monada ,the car had been involved in a rear end collision they currently the rear end of a Monarch and weld it to the front end of a Genada. Problem was the front clip had the Genada emblems still attached , the Rear end still had.the Monarch emblems
.
Granada was a nice well designed car for its time and made Ford a mint. I was a big Toyota fan, and bought my first new car in 1977. But, the Granada always caught my eye.
I had a monarch Ghia with a 302 and 4 speed. Added 289 hi-po heads, intake, cam, and holley. A top loader, I think I had to change the bell housing? I’m getting old… dual exhaust. It actually hauled pretty good.
I don’t know what it is about Fords they always made cars that appealed to the American public I called the Granada my mini Lincoln. And the coupe was pretty good looking to me. I used to call the Maverick a piggy bank on wheels but I liked em. This is a good deal for the money and I love the manual and color.
The ford 9″ with factory disc brakes was an option on this car and the Lincoln Versaille. This rear is a direct bolt up to the 69 (and other years) Mustang. Don’t know what they are worth today but I paid $250 around 1990.
I learn something new with every Barn Finds postings! I never hear the term “Malaise Era” cars! A perfect description!