“What looks like the newest Cadillac and is priced like the newest VW?” If you said a Ford Granada, you win the Kewpie doll. That’s at least one of the many taglines from Ford’s Granada advertising campaign, circa 1975 or so. Today, and it’s a first for me, we have a 1977 Ford Granada two-door sedan for your consideration. With a claimed usage of only 45K miles and unusually equipped, this Ford compact appears to be in excellent condition. Granadas were everywhere at one time, but I can’t remember the last time I saw one, so let’s take a trip down memory lane and give this resident of Clarence, Iowa, a looksee. Here on “lowmilesnomiles” is where you’ll find it, and it’s available for $14,900. Mitchell G. gets a thankful nod for this tip.
Ford’s Granada (1975-1982) was one of those kinds of cars that seemed disposable. Oh, they were popular, with production exceeding 2 million copies, but they seemed to be a stopgap or a bridge to something else. As common as they were at one time, they seemed to fade from the American roadscape pretty quickly after production ceased. Spread across two series, ’75 to ’80 and then ’81 and ’82 body styles included two and four-door sedans and a one-year-only station wagon in its concluding 1982 model year. The 1977 edition, such as our subject car, yielded the second-highest production volume, realizing 390K copies that year – not too shabby!
Ford seemed more focused on comparing the Granda to other marques than it did on the existential details of what it had designed and produced. Here’s a TV ad from 1975, courtesy of YouTube, where confusion arises between a Cadillac Seville and a Granada sedan – pretty silly stuff. This Granada’s stellar condition aside, I never confused one with a Cadillac or a Mercedes back in the day, and doubt many would. The boxy styling is generic, but certainly unoffensive; it’s just plain. The only weak point in design, in my estimation, is the tacked-on-looking federal five MPH bumpers. Beyond that, this is probably the cleanest Ford Granada in existence.
That spotlessly clean engine is a 96 net HP, 200 CI, in-line six, tethered to a four-speed manual transmission – how unusual! I guess that I never gave this option any consideration; it was clearly available, but I have to believe this is a rare combination. The seller suggests that this Granada provides “one-of-a-kind driving feel.” I’m sure the row-the-gears feature is a big help in trying to wrangle some go out of that somnabulent prime mover.
The interior is much like the exterior; it’s in excellent condition and pleasing, but pretty standard fare for this era. As I recall, Ford used good quality vinyl upholstery materials in the ’70s, and this Granada seems to be so endowed. There’s no indication of wear, splits, or cracks in any aspect of this Ford’s innards. Typical is the generic instrument panel with its 85 MPH federal speedometer and lots of faux wood trim. The two present gauges, speedometer and fuel, are very clear and legible.
While the mileage claim is not documented, I don’t think it’s a stretch to believe it – this car is that nice. Likely buyers? Limited but definitely out there, Ford aficionados in particular. Let’s talk price. At $14,900, what’s your thought, priced right or not quite?
“One deuce and a four speed on a 200 ci……….”
I like it. Especially the interior, but almost fifteen grand? I don’t think so. I like the Fairmont better but with a V8 this would be different for sure. Hey maybe those old ads are right. It’s the size of a Mercedes 280 and looks like a much more expensive car.
“Somnolent?”
Ouch. Rip van Granada?
Lotta car for wee engine.
I would love this ride.
somnambulant
säm-ˈnam-byə-lənt
adjective
walking or having the habit of walking while asleep
resembling or having the characteristics of a sleepwalker: sluggish
Sorry, I got carried away.
JO
Always liked the look of these, with a 4 speed to boot.
That looks like the 250, not the 200, which is an inch and a half less vertical. The VIN would tell, T for 200, L for 250. The 200 was available in 77, and only with the 3+OD transmission. It also got one year only 3.40 rear gears, whereas the 250 got 2.79 or 3.00.
Note the attached, the four-speed was, in fact, available with the 200 CI engine, except for CA. registration (unless that’s what you mean by 3+OD). Oh, and here’s the VIN, it’s included in the listing: 6W82T283630. So, the “T” is correct for the 200 CI engine but I think that leading “6” makes this a 1976 model, not ’77. Maybe the seller got the year wrong.
JO
Cool brochure pic J.O. love those inclusions. 👍
I think you are right I bought a new 1978 granada 4dr with bench seat and 4 on the floor it had the 250 ci 6 cly dealer used for add to get people in new granada under 4k he was upset when I bought it 4dr 4 speed and bench seat
I had a 76 4 door with a 302V8 and a 3 speed manual. It ran well and was mostly trouble free. The fuel economy was around 20mpg highway, not bad for the era. It netted better fuel economy than several friends that had the inline 6 and an auto. Quality wise, it was a bit of a disappointment but that was typical for American cars in that time frame. All would rust out, plastic trim would fall off, paint would wear thru, yada yada. Still, it was comfortable and easy to drive.
Even though it’s a sedan, I prefer the eight cylinder sedan that Tony Primo submitted a few months ago.
https://barnfinds.com/cheap-v8-4-speed-1979-ford-granada/
Ad says 1977, but the VIN begins with a “6” indicating that it is actually a 1976?
Clean, interesting Granada. The manual transmission would provide a bit more fun to the driving experience. I like the car.
However the speedometer goes up to 85 which was implemented about mid way through the 1977 model year. There are no photos of the VIN so I am guessing that it is a 1977 but a typo on the VIN? Either way, I like the car as well. As stated so uniquely equipped!
Its $10,000 overpriced
It looks like a dealer is selling the car and doesn’t know the year.
We had a ’76 with a 302/auto and 4 wheel disk brakes! The Ghia model I believe.
My father bought a new one around 1976 or so. It had the 302 with a 4 speed. It was still slow
My uncle Johnny was a camera operator for the CBC in Toronto. I remember going to visit them as a teen in the early 80’s & he had a Granada exactly like this one, straight 6 & a 4 gear.
Well, I got the big brother to this Granada out in my garage. I got a 1977 Granada with a 302 4 speed trans. Been a neat car for years. You can’t believe how many people at the shows and cruises did not believe it came with the 4 speed. Mine is a black 2 door with no vinal top and tan interior with bucket seats and a center console. Also has dealer installed A/C. Came with a Marti report when I bought it that said it was 1 of 517 produced. I just gave it to my son, he was getting it when I am gone anyway, and he’s coming to get it in a few weeks. I do agree with the others here that the 6 popper in this Granada may have been a weak choice. Hope ya’ll have a great day!
I wonder how easy it would be to slide in a Ford 300 straight six? This ain’t happening for 15 large
300 6 would be very difficult. You can put any in anything- but it would be a major undertaking. 250/6 would pop right in- or 302, with just a little more effort.
rusty, the engine is the same bolt pattern. (V8 also) and I’m betting there is room. But (and someone correct me if I’m wrong) I believe that this transmission is known as an SROD. (single rail over drive) Not the strongest nail in the box. But since it is a manual, while installing the 300 (use the fuel injected version which is the best thing that ever happened to the 300) also install a T5 5 speed transmission. That would make this quite a car. Especially since the suspension can be upgraded with Mustang (’69-’73) parts.
I still remember when Ford ran the commercials trying to convince us that people wouldn’t be able to tell a Granada from a Mercedes Benz lol
they tried to compare it to a caddy servile
I had a 75 two door, baby blue with a white vinyl top, dark blue all vinyl interior, six cylinder with a three speed stick. It was a very nice, dependable, car and it’s main feature for me was that it was a stick shift. I wanted a V8 with a stick, but that didn’t happen and they were difficult to find. The Granada was later replaced with a 78 Fairmont, also a two door, with a six and a three speed.
“What looks like the newest Cadillac and is priced like the newest VW?”
Ford apparently didn’t think much of their own Lincoln at the time to use that tagline!
My friends had a 2 door manual with the 302. Wry cool car today.
My dad traded in is 74′ Mustang 2 Ghia for a 78′ Granada Ghia 302/auto,then traded that for what would his last car before he passed,a 83 Tempo-2 door,4cyl/auto.
🤢 “looks like the newest Cadillac?” 🤮🤮🤮 not by a longshot. In what universe?
That is some stupid advertising isn’t it, Angel? And we all know ” can’t fix stupid.”
Speaking of stupid, how about the 4×4 Caddy hearse next in line on BF? I’m not going to even read that definition of hideous.
I had a 78 Fairmont Wagon 6cyl. 3speed floor. It was very reliable and I got 150k out of it, but it just didn’t have the power that the 250 would have had.
My girlfriend back in the late 80’s had one of these, except it was a Monarch. There couldn’t have been too many stripper manual 6 cylinder Monarchs made, but she had one. The best thing it had going for it was that it was a rust free Texas car, which was a welcome change to most cars made in the 70’s that we saw in salty New England.
That six or a better one could use some mad scientist work, something like those Firebirds had back in the mid 60s. Ps those standard hubcaps never looked better
Pontiac’s six cylinder with a four barrel? Sprint package? It was also available in the LeMans.
A black 78 Granada with 6 cylinder, 4 speed and only 47 miles sold recently on BaT for less than $14k. This makes me believe this car is overpriced. Still it would make a great 1st car for a young person or even an errand car for someone who normally gets around on a bicycle (ask me how I know). The BaT car also garnered 180 comments.
some granadas came with a ford 9″ with factory rear discs
Ours had a 302/auto and rear disc brakes. Ghia, copper, vinyl roof model. Marc.
Overpriced.
And I thought the 1980 Malibu V8/4 Speed that I ordered (but that General Motors never built because according the dealer, “GENERAL MOTORS RAN OUT OF 4 SPEEDS” was rare. But back in 1975, when I was on my butt after having lost several jobs and coming very close to becoming homeless, my oldest friend, a guy I’ve known since the 5th grade back in 1963, bought a brand new, 1975 Ford Granada Ghia, a sky blue with a white vinyl top coupe, equipped with the 351 Windsor Motor, automatic, P/S, P/B, P/W, A/C and if I remember correctly, a blue leather interior. Talk about being jealous. Then ironically some six years later, my friend was forced to sell that Grenada to pay for his wife’s medical bills, while I was riding around in my brand new, 1981 Camaro, a 305 V8, 4 Speed car.
That’s nothing. I ordered a new 1979 Cadillac Coupe DeVille with a manual. No idea how many of those were built. The dealer thought I was crazy. I was the first on my block to own one..