The Ford Granada gained a reputation for being a well-built, practical and large family vehicle, and nowadays it makes the perfect classic car to transport the whole family. The Mk1 and Mk2 models, which were manufactured between 1972 and 1985, have a classic boxy shape to them (particularly the Mk2), unlike the later Mk3 that followed in the footsteps of the bubble-shaped Sierra.
The Granada replaced the Ford Zephyr and Zodiac models, but wasn’t called the Granada from the beginning of its production life. A legal dispute with British conglomerate Granada Group meant it initially had to be called the Consul, but once this was resolved, only the entry-level models were known as Consuls, and from 1975 onwards all models were known as Granadas.
Available as a two- or four-door saloon, a five-door estate, or a two-door fastback coupé (coach-built limousines and hearses were produced by Woodall Nicholson and Coleman Milne), the Mk1 Granada in the UK was at first powered by a 1996cc V4 that was later replaced by the 1993cc four-cylinder Pinto, along with 2494cc and 2994cc V6 options. In mainland Europe however, there was a larger choice of engines, including a 1699cc V4 and three sizes of
V6 (2.0-, 2.3- and 2.6-litres). In South Africa, the Ford Granada Perana V8 was powered by a 252bhp 4.9-litre Windsor V8 engine (built by Basil Green Motors, but sold through Ford dealerships in SA).
Over 800,000 Mk1 Granadas were produced before it was replaced by the boxier Mk2 in 1977, which lasted for another eight years and sold in similar numbers (over 900,000 according to
