Three Or Four-Speed: 1979 Ford Granada 46K Mile Survivor – SOLD!

October 18th Update – It didn’t take long for the seller to find a new buyer for their stick-shift Granada. We just confirmed they deleted their Craigslist ad, so we’re now able to call this Ford “Sold!”  This one got away, but if you have your heart set on something similar, email us the details of what you’re looking for or call Rudy directly at (908)295-7330

October 11th Update – While preparing our latest Malaise Monday features we noticed the private seller of this low mileage ’79 Ford Granada relisted it approximately one month after deleting their original ad for their car.  Perhaps a deal they thought they had last month fell through but regardless of the reason, the price remains firm at $6,500 with no new pictures nor a change in the brief description.

September 12th Update – While updating our database, we confirmed the seller of this survivor-quality Granada deleted their Craigslist ad, so we’re calling this one “Sold!”

Throughout the late seventies, Ford tried to pitch their Granada as a lower-cost alternative to the very similar-looking Mercedes-Benz W123 they tried to mimic.  While history proved the latter to be one of the best-built cars of all time, low mileage survivor Granadas such as this 46K original mile example last listed in the fall of 2020 on Craigslist in Waymart, Pennsylvania, are now a rare sight. With an asking price of $6,500, the private seller hopes the next caretaker will pay a premium for originality, as the Collector Car Market Review Online Tool confirms the seller’s asking price is $300 more than the #1 “Excellent” appraisal of $6,200.

Ford produced the first generation of its North American Granada from 1975 through 1982 and marketed the car as a luxury compact vehicle.  While originally intended to replace the Ford Maverick, design work for the Ford Granada predated the 1973 fuel crisis.  In 1969, Ford began research predicting the emergence of the luxury compact segment, driven by gasoline prices, multiple-vehicle families, and urban traffic. In 1970, Ford began design work on a prototype vehicle, later becoming the production Granada. In what would later become a central theme of the marketing of the Granada, Ford benchmarked the Mercedes-Benz 280 (W114), using it as a basis for styling and dimensions. As an alternative, Ford considered importing its European Granada, however, that idea was too cost-prohibitive.

Following the 1973 U.S. Oil Embargo, Ford delayed the Granada’s introduction and redeveloped the car before its launch, becoming an additional compact model line. While not intended as a direct competitor for European luxury sedans (such as Mercedes-Benz or BMW), Ford intended for the Granada to be sold to buyers either downsizing from a larger intermediate or full-size car while wanting to retain the same comfort and convenience features along with buyers seeking to upgrade from a lower-content compact car.

In its most basic form, the Ford Granada offered few standard features over the Maverick (including manual steering, non-power brakes, and a column-shifted manual transmission). To allow for a high degree of owner customization, the options list for the Granada was long, adding many features traditionally included on the Ford Gran Torino and Ford LTD.

The Ford Granada relied on the 1960–1965 Ford Falcon rear-wheel-drive chassis that retained unibody construction combined with a coil-spring front suspension and a leaf-sprung live rear axle.  Both versions of the Ford Granada have a 109.9-inch wheelbase derived from the four-door Ford Maverick.

Ford equipped Granadas with a 200 cubic-inch inline-six engine as standard and a 250 cubic-inch inline-six as an optional engine. Shared with the Maverick, the 302 Windsor V8 was offered as an option; the 351 Windsor V8 was an option solely for the Granada.  A three-speed manual (column-shifted or floor-shifted) was standard, with a three-speed automatic offered as an option (standard on the 351 V8). A four-speed manual was introduced in 1976.

In 1978, the exterior of the Ford Granada underwent a mid-cycle revision, concentrating on the front fascia. In addition to a revised grille design, the round headlamps were replaced by rectangular units stacked above the turn signal lenses (to more closely match the design of the Ford LTD II and the Mercedes-Benz W114). If optionally equipped, the rear fascia was given revised taillamp lenses and revised center panel trim. In the interest of aerodynamics, the side view mirrors were changed from rectangular to oval.

Here’s a YouTube link to one of Ford’s infamous commercials comparing how similar the Granada was to the Mercedes-Benz of the day:

If you’re looking for a very original, no-frills Granada this example fits the bill.  Unfortunately, the biggest question we have is whether the floor-shifted transmission is the standard three-speed or the more desirable four-speed.  Good luck with the purchase!

Here’s the seller’s description:

“1979 Ford with just 45816 miles. Very clean and ready to drive. I have just put new belts, water pump, all hoses. Also a new battery. There is no rust and the car has been maintained seen new.“

Do you have a Ford Granada story you’d like to share?  Comment below and let us know!