Ford Granada Mk1 and Mk2 (1972 to 1985)

Why people buy one

• Mechanical parts for the Pinto and the Essex and Cologne V6 engines are well supported.
• The four-speed manual gearbox and the C3 three-speed automatic are both regarded as durable.
• Mk2 buyers can choose from four-cylinder petrol, diesel, and carburettor or fuel-injected V6 engines, in saloon or estate form.
• Mk1 cars offer a saloon, estate or coupe, and the coupe has no equivalent in the Mk2 range.

What to weigh up

• Good replacement interior trim is scarce, and cloth upholstery, especially the driver's seat, wears.
• Many cars have seen little use, so brakes, cooling and fuel systems may need work after standing.
• The Essex 3.0 V6 is a Mk1 engine only; the Mk2 used the Cologne V6, so check what is fitted against the car's specification.
• The Peugeot-sourced diesels are slow; Classics World says the 2.1 takes over 20 seconds to reach 60mph.
• Rust affects most survivors, and severe sill rot usually means wider corrosion elsewhere in the shell.
• The Scorpio-based Granada (Mk3) launched in 1985 is a different car and is not covered here.

Where they rust

• Front wings and the headlamp bowls and surrounds, which trap dirt and moisture.
• Front and rear valances.
• Sills, including the inner sills towards the back.
• Bonnet edges.
• Front chassis legs and chassis rails.
• Rear wheelarches and lower rear quarter panels.
• Rear (C) pillars and the base of the rear screen, where blocked sunroof drains let water in.
• Cabin and boot floors, and the bulkhead, where leaks can also reach the fusebox.

Mechanical weak spots

• On the Pinto, a ticking top end usually means camshaft wear, often from blocked oil ways or a blocked spray bar; regular oil changes help.
• The Cologne V6 can suffer cooling problems that lead to head gasket failure; check for overheating and coolant loss.
• Carburettors wear and can be poorly set up, causing a rough idle or poor running.
• Check the C3 automatic's fluid, which should not be black, sludgy or burnt-smelling, and look for leaks where the torque converter attaches.
• Vibration through the car can come from worn propshaft joints or the rubber coupling, and noise from the rear axle points to wear.
• Vague steering usually means worn front bushes; check the power steering rack and hoses for leaks, and the dampers and springs for wear.

At a Mathewsons viewing

• Check the chassis (VIN) number and engine number against the V5C. The British Motor Museum does not hold Ford records, so ask a Ford specialist or owners' club for advice on a car's history and specification.
• Look underneath with a torch at the sills, chassis legs, floors and rear quarters, and judge the quality of any welding.
• Check the sunroof drains, the rear pillars and the base of the rear screen, and look for damp in the carpets and boot.
• Test the switches and electrics, and look at the fusebox for corrosion from water entering through the bulkhead.
• If staff start the car, listen for top-end ticking, watch for smoke and look for signs of sticking or seized brakes on a little-used car; do not assume it will be started.

Parts, specialists and clubs

Seen on Bangers & Cash

• Ford Granada rally support vehicle (Bangers & Cash series 6, episode 4, First shown September 2022)
• 1980 Ford Granada Ghia (Bangers & Cash series 10, episode 12, First shown October 2024)
• Ford Granada Mk1 (Bangers & Cash series 12, episode 8, First shown September 2025)

Sources

• Ford Granada Mk1 buyer's guide (Classics World), 11 July 2024
• Ford Granada Mk2 buyer's guide (Classics World), 7 August 2025
• Ford Granada MkII, classic cars A to Z (Classic & Sports Car), accessed 26 October 2026
• Car of the Month: Ford Granada (Lancaster Insurance), 30 August 2018
• 1982 Ford Granada: Project Profile (Car & Classic), 16 January 2025
• Ford Granada Mk1 guide (My Classic UK), accessed 26 October 2026
• 1985 Ford Granada 2.5DL Mk2 (Drives Today), accessed 26 October 2026