The Granada, like many ’70s cars that once were everywhere and now are rarely seen, gets its share of hatred, fear and loathing from some quarters. But I’ve always had a soft spot for them. Why? Well, as a kid growing up in the 80s, there were still tons of them around, with approximately 50% rusty, 40% decent and 10% mint, little old lady driven time capsules. But they are few and far between these days, because like most popular cars, most were purchased and unceremoniously traded in 2-3 years later, or driven into the ground and junked. Oh, and they liked to rust.
Jim’s car was just about identical to this one inside and out, but was a two door.
Around 1995-97, our neighbor down the street, Jim Carlson, got a very well kept base 77 Granada coupe as a daily driver. They also had a then-new Town & Country minivan, but that was the ‘good car’ and Jim’s new acquisition was basically a work car. I remember he took me around the block in it, and it had a blue vinyl bench seat and pretty much zero options. Later, when he got rid of it, he gave me the mint condition owners’ manual and certicard; I still have it somewhere. As I recall, he replaced it with a nonmetallic tan 1977 Caprice Classic sedan that was slightly rough but nice, and had functional A/C, a big plus.
Spotted in West Davenport, autumn 2014.
I have seen a few in recent years. One was a 1977 root beer brown Ghia sedan. A rare survivor, right down to the color keyed wheel covers and chrome Dahl Ford dealer tag still affixed to the trunk lid.
I also spied a white two-door running around town a few times circa 2016-17, with red landau top, red interior and sporting ’90s Crown Victoria alloy wheels. There may be one or two others I saw at various car shows and cruise nights, but the details escape me right now.
Anyway, this one came across the transom recently, on the Finding Future Classic Cars group and I was surprised at how nice it was. Offered for two grand in Johnstown, PA, it’s a top trim Ghia with factory air and the 302 V8-a nice combination since these were pretty, ahem, sedate when equipped with air and the straight six under the hood.
Per the ad, on FB Marketplace: “Bone stock Granada Ghia, 302 V8, auto, AC, tilt wheel, delay wipers, remote mirror, am-fm, front/rear speakers and all the books.”
“Looks like spare never down. Very nice bumpers, grill and headlight trim. Clear glass. No trim pieces missing. Top nice too. Clear MD title. May do a trade, show me what ya got!”
It has 68,328 miles on it, and appears nice enough to be accurate despite the five digit odometer. I liked the blue interior; it’s nice to see something other than Rubbermaid tan, Rubbermaid gray, and black.
And naturally, with the 302 V8, it could easily be breathed on for a little more sprightly motorvation. Just keep the whitewalls and color-keyed wheel covers on; you could have a real Q ship, haha!