HISTORY
The Mk1 Granada was designed as a replacement for the ageing Zeyphr/Zodiac range. It used Fords proven range of V4 and V6 Essex engines available in 2.0, 2.5 and 3.0 liters. There were two distinct model ranges. The Consul, which was seen as the budget range went from L, XL to the range topping GT. The Granada was seen as the executive range, with better trim, real plastic wood and real leatherette trim, as was the 70's! Range was L, XL and the range topping GXL. Released in 1972 it was a good car, they were built fairly well for a mass produced executive but did not have the quality or the class to compete with the Rover P5 and P6.
The series II models introduced in 1975 took the Granada into the true executive league. The consul name was dropped along with the ageing Essex V4, in it's place was the 2.0 Pinto OHC 4 cylinder. Pioneering for it's time the engine shared many characteristics with the 'O' series unit produced by British Leyland, both were good engines, the Pinto having a far weaker camshaft and top end oil supply.
The Series II Mk1 is the one to go for, gone is the Consul, gone is the nasty early 70's interior replaced by something that won a design council award, this car really was good. The range topping Ghia featured an interior designed by Fords recently acquired Ghia design house. Range was the normal estates, various 2.0 liters. There was a car for everyone, the L appealed to the large family, the GL appealed to your traveling rep, with a choice of 2.0 or 3.0 engines there was good chance to mix and match, the executive and the Sweeney had the choice of the range topping Ghia, this featured plush trim, real wood and velour trim. Power was usually always pushed through a slush box (3 speed) but the torquey V6 made light work of this. End of the line Ghias were available with 2.0 engines, also available was the stunning coupe which was imitated later by the Opel Monza and Vauxhall Royale Coupe, although the Granada did it with more class.
The Mk1 was replaced in 1977 by the Mk2.
WHY I LIKE THEM
The Mk1 Granada was the most classy incarnation of the Granada range. The Mk2 Granada an the Mk1 saloons had an elegance and class that the Mk3 hatchback lacked, the Mk3 is an over bloated tank, with no quality and no class, the Mk2 had near American Ford quality and class, the Mk 1 the same level of quality and has an air of class about it that few Fords (apart from Lincolns) seem to have. The Mk1 represents a lot of what I like, they used it in the Sweeney, there it was seen as an icon and you could always tell when a crash was going to happen, the Mk1 would be chasing a Jag and you just knew there was going to be a crash. A mate of mine and I were discussing The Sweeney and we reckon if they remade it today they would be driving an Mk1 Sterling or Vitesse!. The lines of the Mk1 are very smooth, flowing and almost classic. The car has a very American feel to it with its big cast iron V6, chrome and American styling. Few cars of the time could beat it, maybe except the Rover SD1 which was an even better car, more forward thinking than the Mk1.
WHAT YOU NEED TO DO WITH THEM
1. Scrap the Essex 3.0 and shove in a 3.5 Liter Rover V8, not only is this a lighter unit but due to it's lightness you get better fuel economy as well as more power.
2. 5 Spoke alloys would set the beast off a treat.
3. Has to be in Roman Bronze or a light blue Metallic.
PICTURES - Click to enlarge
