Ford Granada 2.8 GL Automatic Saloon

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 Ford launched its spacious saloon, at first called the Consul, in 1972. The big four-door was soon popular with police forces (remember the Sweeney?), cab firms and as a less costly alternative to Jaguars and Mercedes in the limousine business. In 1975, the car was renamed the Granada.

Granadas came in a plethora of trim options and were armed with everything from a 2-litre four to a 3-litre V6 engine. Underneath, the car followed the mechanical layout of its rather ungainly predecessor; the Zephyr. The all-independent suspension featured coil springs and McPherson struts, later to be replaced by wishbones.

In 1977, the square-jawed MkII arrived on the scene. Essex engines now replaced by the Cologne V6s in 2.3 and top-of-the-range 2.8-litre forms. L and GL designation denoted lesser or greater levels of trim appointment, while the Ghia offered the ultimate level of Ford luxury. Later ‘i’ (for fuel injected) models would offer the highest performance in the Granada range.

The much-loved 2.8 kicked out a respectable 150bhp and 162ft lb of torque giving it a handy 0-60 time of around ten seconds and a top speed of 117mph. Roomy and sure-footed, and hugely capacious in estate form, the big saloon was equally popular with motorway patrols, sales directors and fairly well-heeled family men. Offering probably the best balance of Granada qualities, the MkII was superceded by the dramatically restyled MkIII in 1985.

This 1979 Granada 2.8GL is, like the vast majority, equipped with the reliable three-speed automatic transmission. In the slightly unusual combination of black over light blue, it also has the welcome addition of a large steel factory sun roof. For the past two years, the car has been on display at the Stondon Motor Museum and reportedly starts and drives well, having been kept by the previous owner for 22 years. It retains its V5 log book and has a mileage reading of 54,126 though this can’t be verified.