Ford Granada 2.8GL Automatic

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Launched in March 1972, the Ford Granada succeeded the Zephyr as Ford's executive car offering, being produced at Ford’s German factory in Cologne and at its British factory in Dagenham.

Initially, lower models in the range were called the Ford Consul, but by the mid-1970s Ford had registered the trademark ‘Granada’ name which was used from 1975 onwards. The MkI cars used the 2-litre Essex V4 engine and the 2.5 and 3-litre Essex V6 engines.

Mechanically the car retained much the same set-up as its predecessor, the Ford Zephyr/Zodiac. Transmission was a 4-speed all-synchromesh ‘box, however it featured drum brakes at rear, as opposed to the Zephyr/Zodiac rear disc brakes. It had independent rear suspension controlled by coil springs, although at the front McPherson struts were soon replaced by double wishbones. The car became popular for taxi, fleet and police usage and was also adapted for other applications such as limousines and hearses.

From 1976 all Granada production was moved to Germany and the following year Ford’s executive car was restyled and upgraded as the Granada MkII with handsome straight-edged styling and a wider choice of engines, the Cologne V6 in 2-litre, 2.3-litre and 2.8-litre forms replacing the older Essex units. A relatively low number of vehicles were also produced with a four-cylinder diesel engine. Transmission was via a 4-speed, or 5-speed manual all-synchromesh gearbox, or a 3-speed auto.

The top-of-the-range model was the 2.8-litre V6 which developed 160bhp. Driving through Ford’s excellent five-speed manual transmission, it could launch the car to 60mph in around 9 seconds with a top speed of 120mph.

Strong, fast and comfortable, the MkII was always very popular with the Police and was frequently seen doing lurid powerslides on TV shows like ‘The Sweeney’ and ‘The Professionals’. The MkII range sold well until it was replaced in 1986 by the much more rounded but far less attractive Granada MkIII.

Dating from June 1983, this Granada MkII GL has the 2.8-litre V6 mated to an automatic ‘box. It was donated to the Stondon Collection in 2009 by its 4th owner who had owned it for 22 years and stated in a letter that it drove well and had always been kept garaged. On file are 7 old MOTs which show the mileage rising from 65,445 in 1999 to 89,531 in 2008 with very few miles added since. There are also a couple of bills for routine service items, many tax discs from 1990 to 2005, an old V5 and a current V5C.