Stripper Sedan: 1976 Ford Granada – SOLD!

July 18, 2021 Update – we confirmed the seller of this stripper Granada “Classifind” deleted their listing, so we’re now able to call this one “SOLD!” While this one got away, please reach out either by email or call us directly if you’d like to be informed when we come across something similar.

A friend of ours who once owned a new car dealership told us how they often ordered some cars with no options in wild color combinations virtually no one would want. Why? If his dealership advertised a very low price, state law required him to have the car on the lot available for sale. These “strippers’ as he referred to them, would linger on the lot for months, but that was okay as they could advertise a rock-bottom price.

With whitewall tires said to be the only option on this 1976 Ford Granada originally listed in June 2021 on Craigslist in Colonial Park, Pennsylvania, (Harrisburg) we wonder whether this three-on-the-tree controlled two-door coupe was ordered by a dealer for a similar role when new. With only 32,500 miles and some noticeable paint bubbling in the lower rear quarter panels, the seller has this Granada listed for $6,000 currently.  Comparing that price against the Collector Car Market Review Online Tool reveals the seller’s ask currently falls somewhat optimistically between this guide’s #2 “Very Good” estimate of $4,400 and its #1 “Excellent” appraisal of $7,000 before including a twenty percent deduction for the three-speed manual transmission and the lack of factory air conditioning.

Ford introduced the Granada for 1975 as a luxury compact vehicle slotted between the Maverick and the Torino in the company’s product line.  Ford’s research in 1969 predicted that rising gas prices, the increase in multiple-vehicle families, and urban traffic would combine for the need to offer a compact luxury car segment.  Ford used the data to start the development of the Granada before the 1973 Oil Embargo and benchmarked the Mercedes-Benz W114 280 as a guide.  However, while the Mercedes served as a design benchmark for the roofline of the four-door sedan along with the proportion of the tail lamps and grille, the Granada’s rear-wheel-drive chassis came straight from the 1960–1965 Ford Falcon parts bin.

The Osborn Tramain YouTube Channel has this classic Ford commercial famously comparing their Granada to the Mercedes 450 SLC:

We’re not big fans of Marti Reports on Fords (read here to find out why) and this seller wasted money finding out this stripper was a fairly commonly ordered combination, so it’s likely most Ford dealers back in the day did exactly what our friend described above. Despite the low mileage, the seller is transparent about this car receiving a repaint at some point as well as the aforementioned rust developing in the lower rear quarter panels.  What disappoints us is the fact that despite fighting the fact this car’s only option when new was whitewall tires, the seller chose black walls.  We know from personal experience with our Cadillac Eldorado whitewall tires are harder to source these days, but they remain available.

Here’s the seller’s description:

“Ever had a fling with a stripper? Offered for sale is my minimally optioned 1976 Ford Granada. She has 32,000 confirmed original miles. Per the Marti Report, the only option it came with was whitewall tires. The base engine would have been the 200 c.i.d. six, but this has the 250 inch. The fuel pump and master cylinder are brand new. It easily passed Pennsylvania state inspection. The last inspection prior was in 2005, and the car was driven less than 100 miles between. The car has had a well-done respray at some point and presents well, with minor rust present on the lower quarter panels.
The Ford Granada was conceived to replace the Maverick. Its styling brought it in line with Ford’s full-size vehicles. Ford’s advertising at the time was known for comparing their offerings with the competition, and the Granada was no exception. TV spots showed the Granada side by side with a Mercedes, emphasizing its similar styling and dimensions at a fraction of the price of a Benz.
While no one ever confused a Granada with a Mercedes, this car with its dearth of options is a real blast from the past! The soul of this particular Granada harkens back to Ford’s roots with the Model T – honest, frugal transportation.
Asking price of $6,000.“

Show or go: what would you do with this Ford Granada survivor?  Comment below and let us know!