When you Google the Ford Granada Ghia, it’s hard to not wince when you see how handsome the European version of the car was. By comparison, the American model was a bit unsightly, with huge overhangs, bulbous bumpers, and a rear end that was disproportionate to the nose. But consumers still flocked to them, including my own father, whose Granada is the family car I have the earliest memory of. This Granada Ghia has lived in a Palm Springs garage all of its life, likely the prize possession of the elderly couple that owned it. Find the Granada here on craigslist for $3,500.
My subjective opinions aside, this might be the Granada to buy if you’re hankering for one. First, the Ghia package got you upmarket in a hurry, and the original owners didn’t stop there: this one has the optional four-wheel disc brakes and V8 mill, though it’s not specified whether it has the 302 or 351. Either way, it’s still an upgrade from the standard inline-six.
The Ghia package got you the woodgrain dash, landau roof, and leather seating surfaces. Paired with the aforementioned option boxes that were checked, someone spent a fair amount of 1970s money on this Granada. They clearly loved it, too, as the seller doesn’t mention if this has any sort of museum-quality low mileage, so I’m assuming it’s got high fives or low six-digits on the odometer.
Before I forget, thanks to Barn Finds reader Pat L. for the find. The Granada is the type of car you may own for sentimental reasons, or because it’s an affordable classic that won’t cost you much to own. Aside from that, I’m not sure why you’d own one today, but this is a car worth preserving considering how nicely it’s been looked after since new. You could do worst for $3,500, but your priorities would have to firmly be in the comfortable cruiser category to look forward to seeing this Ghia in the driveway every day.
It’s already off of Craigslist. I want one of these.
Does this “and a rear end that was disproportionate to the nose.” mean like the ’65 Mustang that the trunk was shorter than the hood?
Nice Granada, looking at the original markings on the valve covers, doubt seriously if milage is high, great find for what it is!
It has a V8, two doors, and even 4 wheel disc brakes, and Barn Finds wonders why you would want to own it. Go figure. Please, show me more rusty Porsches and Grand Nationals.
I agree with the first half of your statement. And I would love to have one almost like this…even this one. Would be a better alternative to what I am driving now. But, I do not care for the sun roof. They do exactly the opposite of what you think you want.
My Grandad bought one of these as a trial run before buying a Versailles.
Should have kept the Monarch as that Lincoln never ran right.
As I recall the Monarch did everything it should and was an enjoyable upgrade from its dowdy cousin, the Granada.
The Ford Granada was a dangerous vehicle, as it was consistently mistaken for the cars Mercedes was making at the time. Older people like myself will recall how owners were always driving off in the wrong car. As this car hails from Palm Springs, I can only imagine that one day back in 1978, its septuagenarian owner stepped out from a leisurely lunch, got into the car the valet brought around thinking it was his 450SLC, and never was the wiser. Caveat Emptor!
I bet he woke up once he heard the nasty throb from the 200! Those commercials were funny tho.
I had a ESS which was exactly like this one. Same color, interior was white as well, had the 302 V8 sun roof and all. Except mine had the bucket seats, and shifter on the floor. It was sweet. If I only knew than what I know now.
I seem to remember the debate or reluctance to accept the fact a smaller car could be luxurious and roomy like the boats that had been the norm back then, or buyer hesitation is maybe more what I’m thinking of. I was just a kid but I remember some talk of it and several tv adds. I don’t really know, maybe it was a Mercedes commercial I’m thinking of.
Can’t slam the US auto industry too hard for what they were making in that era as they were well under fire in all directions whether it was Japanese imports, European imports, most of all our own government with it barrage of rules and regulations, the price of crude oil all of which added costs to the consumer. Dang, to think everything had been going so well just a few years earlier! And there was no way to know what the future held.
Just a dark time for car manufacturers, possibly the worst. I’ll refrain from any negativity towards this “reminder”. Somebody buy it, upgrade it and just drive drive drive…
Growing up, I recall my best friend’s family ditching their full-size LTD for a Grenada sedan that they owned for many years afterwards. This one is a beauty, I’d love to have it in my garage.
The plastic woodgrain dash was standard. Not a Ghia upgrade. At least in 76 it was .
Back in 75 or76 I worked at a Ford Dealership.
On the showroom floor they four door Granada with, if I remember correctly it had buckets, don’t recall anything on the sticker about four wheel discs but had air and of course steering and brakes but it was a full four speed with a 351. Don’t recall wether Cleveland or Windsor, have to understand I’ve mostly been a Mopar guy all my life but have always just appreciated cars in general.