Ford Granada (North America)

The American car manufacturer Ford produced from 1974 to 1982 in the U.S., the mid-range model Ford Granada, which was developed in two generations and is not related to the European Ford Granada.

First generation (1975-1980)

Ford Granada Ghia (1974-1977)

Background

In the 1960s, Ford had offered the Falcon in the middle class, who was one of America's most successful cars of its decade. Below the Falcon was ranked in 1970 introduced compact Maverick, above him the larger and heavier Torino. When Ford stopped production of the Falcon in the summer of 1970, Ford's model range had a gap between the Maverick and the Torino. To close it, Ford developed in the early 1970s, the mid-range model Granada, according to the original plan at the same time to replace the Maverick. When the demand for small cars rose in the U.S. market due to the first oil crisis in 1974, Ford decided to offer the Granada next to the Maverick. The Maverick was later replaced by the Ford Fairmont.

Technique and body

Technically, the Granada was a conventional design and had many similarities with the Maverick, who in turn had taken some constructive elements of the Ford Falcon. Some of the technical components of Granada were therefore due to their basic design to the year 1960.

The Granada used the platform of the four-door version of the Maverick, which was longer than the two-door hatchback variant. The wheelbase of the four-door Maverick and Granada were identical. The chassis and suspension parts of both cars met each other: The Granada decreed forward wishbones and coil springs, rear he had a leaf-sprung live axle, but the dimensions of the springs had been changed slightly.

The body of Granada, however, was independent and was followed by another form of language. She was factual and straightforward held than the roundish Maverick. The goal was a European looking design to design, located from the usual, as "over -styled " perceived forms of American cars took off. Ford's designers were based on the body design, the Mercedes -Benz " Stroke Eight ", who was very successful in the USA. Some observers detected in the form of the C-pillar also similarities with the designed by Tom Tjaarda Italian Gran Turismo Coupe De Tomaso Longchamp.

The Granada was only available in two body styles: a four-door sedan and a two-door coupe with a very wide doors and strikingly narrow rear side windows, which were referred to as Opera Window.

The engines of Granada was known from the Maverick and the Torino. There were optional six-cylinder in-line engines with 3,273 or 4,093 cc eight-cylinder engines, as well as 4,942 or 5,766 cc. The smallest and the largest engine accounted for with the model year 1979, the performance of the engines fell by European standards from low:. They ranged from 82 hp for the small six-cylinder engine and 145 hp for the V8 engine. Power transmission was via a manual three-speed transmission, optional was a three -speed automatic transmission for all engines available.

Facelift

In its original form the Ford Granada was produced in model years 1975 to 1977. For model year 1978, the car was stylistically slightly revised. Instead of the single round headlights of the first years of construction shaped light units now were used, which were positioned above the ( also square shaped ) indicators.

Derivations

Ford's sister brand, Mercury offered their own version of Granada under the name Mercury Monarch. The monarch was externally almost identical to the Granada. The distinguishing feature served primarily the grille: Whereas the Ford version had a horizontally and vertically integrated grill, Mercury Monarch had a typical brand, decorated with vertical chrome struts grill. The rear lights of both versions differ slightly. The monarch was slightly better equipped than the Granada and cost each about 100 to 150 $ more. However, the production of the monarch fell significantly short of the Granada.

Another derivation of the American Ford Granada was in 1977 presented Lincoln Versailles, which was positioned in the luxury car segment. The Versailles was intended to compete with the successful Cadillac Seville, which in turn competing against high-priced imported cars such as the Mercedes -Benz " Stroke Eight ". Lincoln's version was more than twice as expensive as a Granada, hardly differed from the base vehicle but outwardly. The Versailles had square headlights, a vinyl roof and a trunk lid with a reminiscent of the Lincoln Mark Series curvature, which should mimic a standing spare. Otherwise, the metal parts of the cars were identical. The Versailles was not a success. The visibly noticeable close to the simple Granada was perceived by the customers as unattractive.

Production

The American Granada was a success. The car sold better than the larger models Torino and LTD II, which were larger, less economical and nearly $ 1,000 more expensive in all years of production. In the literature of the successful Granada is considered to be Ford's most important car of the 1970s: The car is similar to the Ford Mustang had been ten years earlier tailored precisely to the needs of customers and have Ford helped to survive the difficult years of oil crises.

In the course of the 1970s presented the competing corporations similarly conceived cars whose technology was the Granada than the current and often looked more modern. Among them were the Chevrolet Malibu and the sister models of other GM brands, as well as the F- Bodies from Chrysler ( Dodge Aspen and Plymouth Volare ). With their advent dwindled the appeal of the older Granada, so that its production figures fell at the end of the decade back.

Specifications

Second generation (1980-1982)

Ford Granada station wagon (1982 )

In the fall of 1980, the second generation of American Granada has been introduced. He was to reduce fuel consumption, has been reduced noticeably compared to its predecessor and now based on the next model down, the Fairmont. He also received its engines: a 2300 cc four-cylinder ( the " Pinto engine ", which is also in the Taunus and in the European version of the Granada use found in Europe), the well-known six-cylinder ( now only with 3300 cm ³ ) and a V8 engine, which had been reduced to 4200 cc. First there was the Granada in a wagon version.

In this form of Granada but did not hit the taste of the public. The sales figures were disappointing. This may have played a role that he was too similar to the cheaper Fairmont; also provided General Motors in early 1982 with the Chevrolet Celebrity a much more modern car in this size class.

Thus, the second generation of the Granada was built only two years and replaced the end of 1982 again. The successor was - confusingly - called Ford LTD, until then the model designation for a large American Ford model. The current model with that name was called LTD Crown Victoria.

The "small" LTD was built until 1985 and then replaced by the Ford Taurus. The Taurus model and vehicle meant a major technological step forward. With front-wheel drive and an aerodynamically shaped body, he followed through, unlike the American Granada, European models.

From Granada the first generation Ford produced a total of 1.76 million copies, the second generation brought it to 196,500 pieces.