Why did Ford's luxury Granada/Scorpio disappear in the 90s?

If you lived in North America in the 1970s the words Ford Granada means luxury driving. But if you’re from Europe, and specifically the UK, the Granada means fast car chases in "The Sweeney". The Granada completed the transformation of Ford’s stodgy 1960s image with a complete line-up of daring car designs for an affordable price. But why was it initially called the Ford Consul in the UK, and where did it all go wrong with the Ford Scorpio in the 1990s?
Intro music: Grant & Green by Josh Lippi & The Overtimers (from the KZbin audio library).
Contents:
0:00 Intro
1:06 Development
3:02 Granada mk1
6:56 Granada mk2
9:46 Granada mk3 / Scorpio mk1
11:40 Merkur Scorpio
12:28 Scorpio mk2
The T-shirt came from here: www.teepublic.com/user/darria
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#bigcar #FordGranada #FordScorpio

[@malleyland5112]

I locked my keys in the ignition once on a public car park, you could do that then! There was a main police station on edge of the park so I went in to see if they could give me a tip on how to get in. The desk sergeant said he had a Granada and that there were only six different keys. He gave me his key to try and it worked...True story.

[@marcusbennetoft5473]

You coild do that on old SAABs also:)

[@_sabot]

As I was a kid my mother drove a Mazda 323 from the 80es. One day we were at the supermarket she locked the key in the trunk. I dunno how excactly, because this was before mobile phones, but we managed to message my father to come from work and bring us the second key. Meanwhile a friend of my mom joined us and as my dad arrived he had the idea we should try just for fun the key of her car, which was a VW Jetta iirc. The Mazda trunk opened with the Jetta key… 🙄

[@JozefLucifugeKorzeniowski]

whoever is stealing your Granada probably needs it more than you.

[@ironiceire]

How did Ford keep that key design for SO Long, 1985 till the Mk3 Transit in 2013? they should've obviously seen the security risks and returned back to the conventional key design.

[@eddiegreenham6626]

Yes a better time .. had a mk2 a lovely car. Should have kept it.. didn't make the same mistake again have had my mk3 mondeo titanium x a lovely car all the power that you need after 17 years and nearly one hundred thousand on the clock still starts on the button..

[@russo0068]

The 1994 Scorpio was designed under the very assertive but completely tasteless Executive Director Dave Turner. There were some very talented designers in both the Dunton UK and German, Merkenich (Koln) design studios and every single one of us thought it was completely the wrong way to go. Every time the designers tried to ‘deflate’ the big fat looking sections or develop more conventional light graphics they were curtailed by Dave directly. Dave was on assignment from the USA which was commonplace at that time and directly under him was another foreign service American, but much more euro savvy and stylish Ray Everts, who had also tried desperately to inject some taste into the car, but alas the Turner car reached production.

[@jeremywestenra4178]

Too much American influence killed Ford in Europe, and in a way led to the demise of Ford Australia. You just have to look at US Ford products...a design free and taste free zone. Yuk!! So much potential....look how they RUINED the Mustang for years and turned it into a glorified saloon car, after the brilliant Lee Iacocca initial design. Ford US is a just a disaster.

[@smorris12]

It's bizarre how adding "American styling" made 70s Euro Fords look miles ahead of the competition while American Fords looked, well, naff.

[@nlpnt]

The looks were the best part of the American Granada, it was just a warmed-over 1960 Falcon under the skin. The Chevy Nova was an objectively better car.

[@quarterburnt]

It’s best to forget every 1970’s American Ford or GM vehicle that wasn’t a muscle car. They are all just so ugly.

[@smorris12]

@@bsrbck The Zephyr wasn't a 70s car tho

[@patrickmartin3322]

@BEST the actual reason FoMoCo isn’t bankrupt is because of the Taurus, if the Taurus had failed not even Ford Europe would be able to save Ford from going under due to how much money Ford had been loosing since the oil crisis.

[@porcelainthunder2213]

Whats ironic is the 70s US Granada shown in this video was heavily based on the Mercedes 450SE design of the time, and was even directly compared to a Mercedes in the advertising.

[@tfkm]

Back in 1989 a work colleague of mine had a Mk1 Granada that I had the opportunity to drive a couple of times (I had a Jimny/LJ80 at the time) and it was an amazing car to drive. Now I own a MK4 Mondeo (2009) which, while being ostensibly the successor of the Cortina/Sierra line, definitely has way more in common (not least the size and driving feel) with the Granada.

[@tehnojdtehnojd9224]

I'm still driving Ford Granada MK 2.2 estate 2,0 litre for every day in 2020 . It's best car ever !!! Hi from Ukraine !!!

[@ars08091974]

every day at scorpio 98 , Odessa Ukraine:)

[@tehnojdtehnojd9224]

Андрей Рачинский , братан !!!! Я с Павлограда !

[@johnsmith5630]

все эти машины в вашей ukraine осели, мне скорп 2 достался. И конечно с территорий бывшей Украине

[@FunnySimbaOne]

Хочу покупать как первую машину)) на что посоветуешь обратить внимание? Привет из Киева)

[@tehnojdtehnojd9224]

FunnySimbaOne , привет , ищи живой кузов (не гнилой) и двиг рядный 2.0 L ( проблем с запчастями нет ) По ходовой и т.п. новые запчасти не проблема . Будет нужно - дам контакты .

[@LMCarneiro]

This is turning slowly and steady into one of the best car channels.

[@fredaydaybae8450]

Rapidly. It’s taken over my television viewing.

[@lakrids-pibe]

Going from 0-60 like a Morris 1000

[@PeaveyPV20]

Sure is. Top gear is a joke now, just a load of middle aged men loafing about trying to be funny. I watch auto mundial for new car news on itv4, again more about cars in a 25 min episode than a whole series of joke gear

[@sseennaa5588]

Agree

[@ultraguy8771]

This series is like Donut Media's Up To Speed but for grown ups (no hate for UTS, I love James and I hope it will come back soon).

[@davefrance3721]

I had a metallic blue Granada Ghia coupe. Absolutely loved it. 3.0 lite V6 engine was awesome in its day. Like riding on a magic carpet... 😎

[@wyghtonblue]

Loved my Capri, loved my Cortina, loved my Sierra Estate, loved my Galaxy, and now love my Focus Estate.

[@V59971]

A neighbour in Zimbabwe 🇿🇼 had that European V6 Granada GL with automatic transmission, that thing was beautiful and the sound was absolutely glorious

[@michaelbritain5546]

Yep had one in my younger day's it was a great car, never had power steering before then...

[@powershin12]

Korean Hyundai Ford Granada was really popular because it was used as the official car for ministerial level. Considering the time, 5000 units sold is a massive hit.

[@richardparkin4930]

Dad had a Consul in 1972. Great car in old English white with red interior. I had just passed my test and felt fantastic when I was allowed to drive it or I could talk Dad into using my Anglia 105e. I know it’s probably uninteresting to you and I don’t know why I am writing this, they were wonderful times I guess.

[@_TheMax_]

I had Ford Scorpio 1991 2.0. Went close to 300k on it never visited mechanic. I changed brake pads, discs and oil myself and nothing else. Great comfortable car. Too bad Ford discontinued such great cars. I would never go BMW, Mercedes or Audi if I can have cheaper and good reliable car as Ford.

[@fredschriks8554]

My mum had a 2.9 V6 Scorpio when i was little. It was quite a beast.

[@royfearn4345]

So many thanks to Ford for involving Jaguar, leading ultimately to the 3.0 S type! I always look on this as the last Granada, down to the suspension and all the Ford-derived interior details and side flasher repeaters (ex-Mondeo!) I currently run a 2005 S-type with around 32k on the clock. I'm the second owner. The first lived in Japan = no road salt = very little corrosion. What a motor!

[@gaufrid1956]

In Australia the Ford Falcon of the late 1970's and early 1980's shared some front and rear styling elements with the Granada.

[@mrmartin2079]

I still remember the day my Dad brought home a new wine colour Granada LS - I was only 7 but it was thee most exciting day of my short life to date

[@IvanRTinkle]

Since 1993 I am owning a 1976 Ford Granada GL 2,3 Automatic 2-door sedan (Germany). This version was not available in the UK. Still a great pleasure to drive.

[@FrndsCallMeDaz]

i know i say this a lot, but i can't thank you enough for always including our South African Specials in your videos! keeps me coming back for more just to hear that nod to our rich sporty car heritage in S.A. Thank you!

[@BuzzLOLOL]

LOL !!! "Granada" has never meant "luxury" or "big car" in USA !!! It meant lowest priced mid sized car! Priced above it was the Mercury Monarch/Cougar versions and further above that the Lincoln Versailles 'luxury' version that everyone knew was still a Granada in the middle with different front and rear despite being highest priced Ford car... engines were 3.3L and 4.1L straight 6, 5.0L, and 5.8L V8s...

[@FrndsCallMeDaz]

@@BuzzLOLOL in America it was a totally different car to the rest of the world, the same as how the Falcon was a compact in the states but a large family car in Australia and South Africa

[@BuzzLOLOL]

@@FrndsCallMeDaz - Video and text starts off saying what Granada was in North America, which was far from true. Looks like Europe and USA Granada were similar after 1975 for a few years.

[@LPCLASSICAL]

My dad bought a blue mk1 in 1979 - used of course. He loved it. He used to go on about how powerful it was.

[@paulsz6194]

The Ghia name was also used in Australia on Ford Falcons from the XD falcon ( which as a striking resemblance to the Mk2 Granada), to the Ford laser & Telstar (which we’re cosmetically redesigned Mazda 323 & 626 models respectively). The ford Altair looks like a stretched version of the Subaru vortex xt .

[@adamw2911]

Back in the day when the Granada, the Rover SD1 or the Senator were the executive cars that most ordinary people aspired to own.

[@bighands69]

Back then Ford and Rover were as good as BMW/Audi. The problem was that both Britain and UK opened up their market places and the German and Japanese cars could out compete Native cars.

[@bighands69]

@Nigel Rowe That was not market forces. It was the UK government planning their economy. The US has done the exact same thing. It allowed Japanese cars into the market and then over regulated the US car industry to the point it could not compete. If it was real market forces those foreign manufacturers would not be able to out compete.

[@adamw2911]

@ferkemall The Royale was the Vauxhall badged version of the Monza. I think it may have had the even more potent 3.0i unit in for the final year before being merged into the Opel badged Monza.

[@PhilOsGarage]

@@bighands69 people preferred German luxury cars, and still do.

[@Zeem4]

@@adamw2911 The Royale Coupé was the Vauxhall-badged version of the Monza, there was also the Royale saloon which was the rebadged version of the Senator. I once went on a trip to Skegness in one in the 90s, compared to my dad's Morris Ital it was like taking a ride in an alien spaceship.

[@petergorm]

It IS still a beautiful car (2019). I grew up with them in the streets. They were low on the hit-list then, for some reason. But they are pretty cool, I must say. I miss them.

[@nikitacalvus]

They looked old and Soviet-like to my French eyes in the 1980's, compared to anything by BMW or even French cars. In fact, they simply looked American, and we were not used to that, and not ready for this kind of cars.

[@williamford9564]

I bought a used Granada in the late 70s ( USA). I was young and realized after I bought that I didn't like the two doors ( rather than four). The engine detonated in the 2nd year. The odometer had less than 50,000 miles and I suspected years later when I knew better that it had probably been turned back.

[@Tegelane5]

Didn't Fords odometers go zero instead of 100 000km or miles back then? So no turning back was needed, it was "automatic". :)

[@faramarzkarimi9845]

as always complete , gentle and competent. i love watching your clips

[@limeyosu2000]

I remember riding in a mk2 and it was the first car I had experienced air con in! powerful too. For its day the Granada was a decent car. Great video loving these.

[@joshuajouet]

My dad always had Cortinas and Sierras with the occasional Capri. I loved the Mk2 2.8 Granada though - there’s a nicely preserved one near me actually. Great channel, thank you

[@liamo7759]

The Capri was a lovely car the used to come in to the port of cork in the 80s just fell in love with them👍

[@aboutthemetal8783]

Yes ,the Sweeney and Granadas , great memories.

[@markgilbertson1564]

Ford product placement was second to none.

[@Hoxton66]

I actually sat in the both cars from the sweeney as a teenager my mates dad worked for the production company as a stunt driver.

[@briandelamere8468]

Now I'm retired I love to watch those programmes. Not just Granada and Cortina Ghia's I've had, but the other cars that incidentally appeared in the show too.

[@bazzab177]

@@briandelamere8468 And of course the MK2 Jags that were always getting wrote off in the car chases.

[@GreatBarrWolf]

@HEY 4Q2 R$2000

[@huzurgelecek]

Granada mark1 legend, they should have never abandoned that shape. All later model shapes are crap.

[@Glamrockqueen]

If Ford were to bring back the Mark 1 Granada and Mark 3 Cortina, I bet they would sell. I'd love one myself.

[@baylessnow]

@@Glamrockqueen I agree. Although it's been off the road for 5 years I got lots of smiles, waves and comments from people when I had my Mk3 Cortina out for a drive.

[@95winston]

They were really smart

[@millomweb]

Ditto Mk1 Escort..... but I guess none would meet EU road safety standards now !

[@RUfromthe40s]

@@millomweb in my opinion cars are now much worse in what concerns to safety but i never crashed a car all my life but see others crashing and it´s not a sight to see even after years some images come back to my mind, but today if one crashes with most of the cars from comercial brands it´s certain death and when cars had bumpers and made of metal if at high speed the efect is similar but when talking about mercedes or bmw´s it ´s incredible how a front colision at 60 miles an hour or 100 km´s an hour the front part of the cars dissa pear but from the firewall to the back in a mercedes you see the dash one finger moved from the front window and in a bmw 2 or 3 fingers moved but all inside is ok just people a bit confused by the strong impact, but talking at the maximum speed of 40 or 50 km´s /hour most of new car seemed to be broken into litle pieces as the people inside you can´t even guess what was the car all made into litle pieces, as an example about 4 years ago i saw two citröen´s C2 ,this told by the emergency rescuers litle bit´s of flesh through out 50 meters of road and a sniker other was a girl i knew since i was 14 crashed into a truck not at high speed and she was with her mother both died they were going to celebrate her birthday with his father at the time working has an health minister of the country ,what makes me sick is the fact that i always see her driving good 2nd hand cars and for the first time i saw her in a new C2 ,that´s how new cars are improved in safety ,i don´t mention Volvo´s or Saab´s because i never saw one crash, i owned a 84 Volvo 740 if it´s really the model or 744 and a saab 9000 turbo and either than mercedes or bmw they were very safe while driving them the same can not say about some other brands , i think metal was better than plastic as a material used in new cars body and even damgerouse the all front part of the car but as some say´s money talks people listen safety is not 1st (wich i think it should) first ecomical reasons , regards

[@johncatty6560]

I remember my grandfather driving two Ford Taunus models over the years. His sister was more the sportive one (in her early 60's): she drove a Ford Capri for many years until the late 90's.

[@Spartanm333]

Thanks for the insight again. The Granada was never a favourite with the Traffic Police as it wasn't a patch on the Rover SDi 3500 Vitesse in terms of performance or carrying capability on the motorway, often relegated to the Inspectors runaround. The Lotus Carlton's we received totally mullered the later version. Even the stock 3 litre Carlton was a more pleasant drive and experience at pace. Goodbye Granada, Scorpio whatever you want to call it this month.

[@spiritof6986]

Absolute gem of a channel!! Just watched a few of your other vids and looking forward to the rest. All the best to you.

[@kjamison5951]

Awesome model. Cortina, Escort, Capri, Granada. The four horsemen of the Carpocalypse.

[@Helliconia54]

i loved my mk2 escort

[@marcob4630]

Granada wasn't a good car at all! Cheap allround

[@bury_the_elite65294]

Carpocalypse? The original Mad Max film had that covered and then some... Max Rockatansky's mid-'70s Ford Falcon coupe aka the V8 Interceptor. A classic car from a classic Aussie film. Ditto for the other XA & XB Falcons (and the Holden Monaro that the Night Rider stole) involved in that immortal car chase at the beginning of the film. Memories... "I am the Night Rider! I'm a fuel-injected suicide machine! I'm a rocker, I'm a roller, I'm an out-of-controller!"

[@bigkdog5091]

I had a Cortina, an Escort and a Capri. Was desperate to bag a Granada back in the day but by the mid nineties they were as rare as hens teeth. My cousin had two. The first one was the 2.3 Ghia "Sweeney" model. An absolute thing of beauty that drove like a limousine. Ford absolutely owned the 80s but let it slip. Real shame

[@bigkdog5091]

Excuse me, it was a 2.8 ghia

[@michaelandrews4403]

I was born in 1960 (UK) and the Granada was just the right price, secondhand - super cheap, for me to buy when I began driving. I had four Granadas; always either the 3.0 ltr GXL or the Ghia, and always automatic. Beautiful things to drive, super comfortable; I loved them. A couple of things gave a skint teenager reason to step back, a bit: The fuel economy could never be described as 'economy'; best you would ever get was 20 mpg. The suspension, which gave you a sublime ride when cruising, had a trick up its sleeve which was guaranteed to stain a heavy-footed teenager's underwear. If you gave it a boot-full along a bumpy, country, lane and hit one of the bigger bumps in the road surface it would start the whole car bouncing. If you were dumb enough not to back off, the bounce would just get bigger and bigger until the car pitched you into the ditch. If you went for the brakes, while it was bouncing, it would pitch you into the ditch. The only way out was to come off the throttle, completely, keep hold of that power steering and wait for it to slow down/ settle down. Sometimes it made no difference. A couple of times we had to drag friends from the ditch because they had been going so fast, at the time, the 'bounce' had thrown them ditch-ward, anyway. Would I have another, today, 2019, if I could afford to buy it? In an instant.

[@pcno2832]

That was an interesting anecdote. The USA version was known for a false veneer of smoothness on good roads that fell to pieces once you hit a few potholes, with the suspension bottoming out loudly. But it was so floaty that no one would be conned into trying anything too daring with it; I don't think many of them ended up in ditches, at least not because of accidents.

[@millomweb]

We averaged 25 mpg just with average driving. That dropped to 16 with a 4-berth caravan on the back.

[@iconicshrubbery]

THAT never happened in the Sweeney police TV Series! Probably edited out.

[@Petelmrg]

I was working at Ford Dagenham when it was introduced in 1972. They actually let us down tools to go and look at one displayed in the engine plant where we were knocking out Pinto lumps. After the truly awful billiard-table bonnet Mk IV Zephyrs it looked wonderful!

[@ghhg213]

🤣 I'm working in the Dagenham engine plant right now replying to your comment while turning out panther diesel engines

[@mikedonovan4768]

"We're the Sweeney son, and we haven't had any dinner !"

[@PointyTailofSatan]

Gov'ner.

[@jimmygolding8108]

Your nicked !!

[@michaelscales5996]

Proper policing.Forcing people to sign confessions by planting evidence.

[@riboid]

@@michaelscales5996 and a good old kicking if you started any of yer shite.

[@markywellsboy2182]

'Get yer trahsers on, yer nicked!"

[@ciaranchew]

I really miss when cars looked this good, another great video, keep them coming 🤗

[@riboid]

I miss the chrome and when the Ghia cars stood out from the basic L and GL models.

[@paulharper4196]

Yeah even the Fiesta ghia was clearly special compared to the pop plus models during the 80s

[@stevewilson8467]

High point of the range for me was the Mk2 2.8iS, what a lovely thing! Sadly countless Granadas were stolen for banger racing and it's still happening today.

[@NorthernMouse52]

100% Agree :-)

[@travelling_stephen]

If nobody wanted to buy them for restoration then just use them for bangers. Some year's ago classic car people were whining on about the banger drivers ,but one classic car had been repeatedly advertised for sale in classic car magazines etc at below market prices for nearly a year with nobody showing any interest in it so it was used for banger racing. And you guessed it some classic boy's were whining.

[@darthslater6077]

I can tell you this much, the Falcon in Aussie land is something we would have loved to have here in the US what a beauty!!!

[@Helliconia54]

many of my cars were Ford Falcons,here in Aust.

[@amoebavirus1508]

UK too!

[@danieljones7843]

Us aussies wanted to export the Falcon overseas in the late 1980’s. Ford Australia even went to Ford America asking for money to actually do it. Unfortunately Ford Australia was also asking for money to design and build the next model at the same time. Ford USA told Ford Australia that they will only give enough funding for just one of those ideas and Ford Australia had to choose which one. Either design the EA Falcon or start exporting the now obsolete XF Falcon with just a minor facelift If they were lucky.

[@michaelharrison1093]

The Ford Barra motor fitted to the last of Aussie Falcons was an excellent motor for tuning. A rival of the Toyota 2JZ and the Nissan RB engines

[@robg521]

I had two Mk2 Grandas, in the late 1980s, a 2.3 Automatic and a 2.8 manual. The 2.3 Auto was one of the most relaxing cars I’d ever driven, with seats like armchairs I’d motorway cruse for a 5hr journey and get out at the other end as fresh as when I started. The 2.8 was a beast. If you were too heavy with the throttle when turning at slow speed the rear wheels would spin up and he back end would overtake the front end. [oversteer into a spin] Quite a handful.

[@keithpovall9996]

I loved the Mk1 Granada and the coupe was in my opinion one of the most handsome cars to grace British roads. I certainly had opportunity to drive most of the range in the 70s when I was in the trade.

[@SteveAndAlexBuild]

I miss the Granadas .... memories of the Sweeny and the professional... they were cool cars . Also had no idea that ford bought Volvo 😳🧱👍🏽

[@millomweb]

Ours wasn't on the road by the time I'd passed my test but I drove it on private land. It had a water problem in Scotland - boiled up and probably cracked a cylinder head as it used water after that.

[@SteveAndAlexBuild]

pmailkeey 🧱👍🏽

[@COIcultist]

NHK 295M wasn't a Granada it was the lower spec Consul as would be par for the time with British police cars. Top level engines suspension and brakes but poverty spec interiors.www.imcdb.org/v028751.html While we're at it Only Fools And Horses used a Reliant Regal Supervan III not a sodding Reliant Robin! nationalmotormuseum.org.uk/vehicle-collection/reliant-regal/

[@alphatrion100]

Volvo is now a Chinese car. BEWARE!

[@jamesreynolds2867]

Ford bought Volvo because the Ford Motor Company wanted to build-up a Prestige Auto Group, know as PAG, it also acquired Jaguar, Land Rover and Aston Martin, but, unfortunately Ford management knew nothing of how to operate in the high end of the market, and failed totally, off-loading each company at a loss.

[@Davejf27]

The last version of the Scorpio is so good to drive, they handle well, they're supremely smooth and so comfortable, long drives were a pleasure even in traffic... Ok looks are quirky but at least it is unique.. loved my 2.9 Ultima.

[@VoodooMcVee]

Regarding the looks I don't think it was too shabby, at least it was on par with the Mercedes E-Class of the same era. I owned a 1996 Scorpio Estate up until 2016. It was a great car with the largest load area I have ever seen in a passenger car - 2.3 x 1.3 meters with the rear seats folded down. Needed to transport matresses, beer garden tables or 20 crates of beer? No problem - just open the rear hatch and in with the stuff. Needed a place to sleep after a party or concert? No problem - inflate your air matress, roll out your sleeping bag and ready was a comfy makeshift camper. My car also had a trailer hitch. With its 2.3 l, 147 hp in-line four-cylinder engine, it had no problem pulling a 1.7 tonne caravan across the Dolomites, no matter the incline. The only problem with the car was that it guzzled petrol like it was free - an average of 13.7 litres per 100 km (20.62 miles per gallon UK or 17.2 mpg US) in city traffic, which would be completely unthinkable today and would probably bankrupt me at the moment. But at the time it was great.

[@HarryHipster]

This brings back many memories of my first holiday job after school in which I drove to many industrial clients assisting my colleagues by checking and cleaning large magnet storage discs for their big computer systems (one PC of today has more capacity than a giant room of these towers) with a washing machine. As ridiculous as this job might sound, it gave me the opportunity to drive many miles in a VW T3 bus, a VW Passat and a Ford Granada model 2 Estate Wagon with a 2.3 litre-V6. It only had 114 horsepower and an automatic gearbox swallowed even more of these few horses. Despite feeling and sounding quite powerful, it really wasn't. Fuel consumption wasn't good either: Usually around 35 mpg, it dropped to 25 mpg if you drove fast on German Autobahns. But boy, was it a great cruiser! There was plenty of luggage space in this long and wide spaceship. The plush seats were comfy and the specs of the GL and Ghia-versions were luxurious. Climate control, sunroof, electric power windows, stereo system, metallic paint, wooden dashborad, alloy wheels etc. A great place to travel. I would love to drive one again.

[@seahawker7796]

Excellent story, I had to watch it twice. I owned a 78 Granada here in America as my very first car. I would love to find an 88 Scorpio for restoration. I remember it primarily for its adjustable rear seat. Those were great cars, and the only reason why they didn't sell over here was because of the "NOT INVENTED HERE SYNDROME", that attitude is still prevalent with American car companies even today.

[@bryanbaker7292]

In 1972 I ran a Consul GT (3 litre Essex engine manual change). I did some 36,000 really enjoyable miles on it and was sorry to see it go. In all I had 6 Mark ones. Strange that Ford never published an official workshop manual on it........as far as I know. Enjoyed the video. Bryan.

[@waltertaljaard1488]

The tragic thing; the Scorpio drove like a dream and was very well built.

[@RayHaffenden]

In Taiwan (where I was working at the time) it was the most popular large car in a limited market. It was the Cologne made 2.8 litre version. Fitted with only the Ford Laser air-con it was borderline in the sub-tropical climate, and was prone to scuttle leak (not ideal driving in a typhoon). Apart from those details it was one of the nicest cars I had - two tone blue it was a looker.

[@darcychu9652]

In Taiwan, Granada was equipped with 2.8 liter engine with rather spacious compartment to local family then. Granada's 2.8 liter engine enable the car to be chosen as the runaway option by local gangsters. The comfort inside makes Granada preferred over BMW.

[@majormojo]

Great story, as usual. Thanks. Also, digging your retro computing t-shirts. Cool.

[@coniow]

I had a Granada GXL Mk1 when I was 19. Beautiful car. When cars looked different from one another. Unlike modern day 'clones.' The mark 2 did not 'inspire' me much, and as for the 'Sierra-look-a-like' ? Forger it! Down hill from from the Mk 1 even if it did rust like buggery, the 'timing' drifting, and prone to blowing the 'core plugs' on the cylinder heads on the 3 litre V6.

[@spongebobsquaretits]

I had a 3 Ltr Ghia Coupe when i was in my early 20's When the lottery win comes in another one will be the first car i buy. Loved it and miss it

[@topcat4759]

Always bring back memories of "The Sweeney" and Cowley's car in "The Professionals" from the second series onwards.And unfortunately too many police traffic cars chasing my motorbike in the '80's!

[@TheGreatestPlayerInTheWorld]

Just got recommended this today 😍 love it!

[@Phil-1969]

My dad had a 1972 consul 3.0 GT in red , we called it the big red bird lol , great channel

[@jamesreynolds2867]

I have had most of the Consul/ Granada's over the years, my favourite was a 1973 3 litre manual trans. "Sweeney" Consul GT, I just go fed up with having to chase MK2 Jags around the empty wastes of London's dockland until the villains drove into a stack of cardboard boxes, guv.

[@topcat4759]

Certainly reminds me of hoping I could watch Reagan and Carter with my old school mates. When tv was worth watching. My Uncle had a mark 1 Capri with a vinyl roof at the time!

[@petrolheadsuk]

I really love your videos, they are very informative, well researched and presented. Thank you…

[@tonyz7569]

Just wanted to tell you how much I enjoy your videos! Very informative. 😊

[@daoudfakhri6490]

Ah, The Professionals. Always loved the opening credits with Cowley's Granada smashing through the plate glass window in slo-mo.

[@whi5tler_1337]

Still watching that today in September 2019, love the escorts 2000 and the capri 3 litre

[@kevinmanns7170]

The car smashing through the window was a Consul !!

[@Rapscallion2009]

I always like that they have accessable cars. Not lotus,Astons and jags. Accessible, low key cars that wouldn't draw attention..

[@RichieRouge206]

My grandad had several Granadas as I grew up in South Africa. Such a cool car! Awesome video

[@pushbikeman]

These big car videos are really very very good, always informative and entertaining with super film clips from years past. I myself have never owned a Ford of any description but I did come close in the 1980s to choosing a Granada Estate I will not embarrass myself by mentioning the car I did buy but I have always considered the Granada the very best car Ford ever made. I know this for sure enforced every time I watch an episode of the Sweeny. Great Video & a Great Car!

[@Adam-wl8wn]

My Grandad always had Granadas, then got a Mk1 Scorpio in 1991. It was beautiful, had heated seats, leather interior, mobile phone cradle, electric windows and power steering! Apart from his, I only ever saw funeral homes use them as limos to escort hearses.

[@siypic]

I had a white 2.9 Scorpio...... was asked twice to use it as a wedding car..

[@bazzyg]

My dad had a 1982 3.0 Ghia (Oh yeahhhh!!!). Was the car of awesome dads everywhere.

[@joeybehr]

I had a 1976 ford granada black and gold edition with bucket seats and three on the floor loved it.

[@ericwsmith7722]

Had a '75 with the 302 and 3 speed, Cragar S/S all around, How many people thought you put the 3 speed in it ?

[@plmcrzy6789]

@@ericwsmith7722 My sister had a 1975 with the 302 and a 3 speed manual floor shift, I loved that car!

[@cakabey3323]

Pitch Black windows ?

[@rockfan3299]

My first car when I was 18, 3.0Ghia :) Last one I owned was 20 years ago.. a Coupe, miss it still.

[@JAY-lo3sx]

My father had two of this series when we were kids first a red one with a black roof & then traded it in for a blue one he did look at a yellow one but never bought it. Wonderful memories.

[@TheUlrikkaul]

Remember those cars from my apprentice days at a Ford dealership. The Mk I where strong and almost faultless but prone to rust.

[@highrevs6110]

Which Dealership? I was wit Ford motor Co and later invicta motor co. Canterbury.

[@KarlHamilton]

Rust is a pretty big fault in my eyes.

[@millomweb]

We had a brake disc fail - cracked - and a coolant problem latterly. Got rid of it years ago - but we still have some rust ! (rear suspension/axles)

[@granadakimj]

I had 4 mk 2's... Best cars I ever had. Always made me feel right at home...

[@tomlepski8306]

A very good clip and with an excellent narator, very clear and professionally presented.

[@jeylful]

Love your videos! Thanks!

[@commodore665]

The South Africans strike again , we are all petrol heads , the Perana was a absolute beast

[@BigCar2]

Yes - Ford of SA did some wonderfully mad things. I notice they also made a mad Escort!

[@Stuve715]

In the '80s BMW SA did a 333i

[@BEATNIKMACHINE]

There is A tuning and styling company called Smoke'em garage around the corner from me that are recreating the Bazil Green Perana kit in Paarden Eiland Cape Town South Africa, So glad I am not the only South African on here anymore man ! Isn't this channel the best ?

[@paspax]

@@BigCar2 ... Perana were like a low volume manufacturer of sorts. Their vehicles were Ford approved and sold through Ford dealerships. The cars of theirs which I'm aware of are V6 powered Mk II Cortinas, V8 Capris and the V8 Granada Coupes.

[@paspax]

@kevin paul halliday .. The only "XR8" which I'm aware of are the Australian Ford Falcon XR8's. These were not "made" by Perana, or indeed in South Africa. They were made only in Australia. Obviously, a 5.0 litre or 5.4 litre V8 is always going to produce a lot more torque than a turbosupercharged four cylinder.

[@AdamAus85]

When Ford stopped using the Ghia nameplate it kind of felt like the beginning of the end of my admiration of the brand.

[@pqrstzxerty1296]

Quite LX of you to say.

[@MacDazzle]

I think this is now my favourite car channel… can’t believe I’ve only just found it… Great video about the Granada…

[@TheANDYURRY]

I owned a 1979 2.8 Ghia . Absolutely outstanding car , you could here the clock ticking at 100 mph which it achieved with ease , Dark metallic green with Tan vinyl roof (what happened to Vinyl roofs) it looked beautiful , wish I still had it , I only sold it because my then girlfriend said it was an old mans car . I bought a 323i , which I owned for exactly a month before I introduced it to a rather large tree , I was reduced to a Cortina after that . Excellent video , love this channel ...!!!!

[@studiocalder818]

In Italy it was appreciated, the second serie expecially. Considered nothing special about mechanics (as at those times we had Alfetta, Giulietta with their transaxles and bialberos, Lancia Beta, 131), it was very appreciated the design of the second serie and the general balance quality/costs. A lot of them were sold, big sellers with Opel Rekord among the imported.

[@oibal60]

My dad had a Granada GXL. White with black vinyl roof. 3.0L engine. I was about 16 yrs old and I would spend hours washing and polishing it.

[@paulgarrett4610]

I proudly owned a 1979 V reg 2.8 ghia in oyster gold with brown vinyl roof from 1989 for 8 years , i restored it fully, l loved that car, drove beautifully too and reliable , wish i still had it, lots of great memories with that car 😁

[@zingo2664]

This channel is BRILLIANT !!! , Iam now addicted :-) , Keep up the excellent work please.

[@BigCar2]

Thanks Zingo!

[@NorthernsoulBoy63]

Loved these cars I had Sweeney type 1971 then every model even 2.3 estate . Fantastic drive

[@dvamateur]

That interior towards the end is stunning.

[@joeshmoedoeshoe]

Those Ghia seats were on par with Saab, nothing, even S-class could match their butthugging form.

[@jameslatimer1432]

Great video 👍

[@stewartmackay]

Great video, well written & interesting. Brought back memories.

[@philjamieson5572]

A Ford Granada GL was my first car. Midnight blue. Automatic. That's all I've got, I'm afraid. Thanks for putting this on here. Excellent presentation.

[@rodog1013]

Guys if theres nearly 70k views in one day and 13k subs, why not subscribe? Not gunna lie for a small channel or even a big channel the research that goes into these videos and the information it puts out is pretty impressive! Keep it up mate👍

[@imonymous]

Done.

[@steveclark..]

I had a mark 2 back in the day, 2.8 Ghia X 5 speed manual, took me a few months to find, didn't want an automatic, being a young man at the age of 22. I loved that car, apart from the fuel consumption,....then the hot hatch craze took over, 150bhp 2L Astra GTE tempted me. To think that many a hot hatch puts out double that BHP nowadays.

[@shaunw9270]

I always liked the MkI Granada Coupé and also have fond teenage memories of being ferried around in a friend's Dad's W reg 2.8 Ghia Automatic, which we all thought was like the height of luxury at the time ☺️👌

[@syhooverman5418]

You were right. It WAS!!

[@thetreblerebel]

I'm a huge Ford fan. I'd love to see this car with a wide body kit and Turboed I4. Georgous. Euros got some great cars

[@Steve-GM0HUU]

In those old Sweeney TV episodes, as soon as you saw an old Jag, you knew it would be getting totalled by the end of the episode. The villans' Jaguar would meet it's demise on some abandoned dockland. Justice served by a Sweeney piloted trusty new Ford. Though, I recall a Rover P6 being involved at least once. Ironic that the Granada of the future would be badged as a Jaguar.

[@detonator2112]

Trivia: Fastest Granada was 2.8i LS manual. I used to own a Swedish import 2.8i L automatic 1980 model. This lower end equipping wasn't available elsewhere (that's what I think). In my mind the mk2 1977-1981 2.8i ghia pre-facelit with vinyl roof was the pinnacle. I liked the 2.8 injection model with TRX's as well. They should have given it a little bit of extra power though. Great car, timeless design, great memories. 2.8i ghia was a statement back then. Nowadays you couldn't even imagine making a "statement" with a Ford (unless it's a GT40). Cheers.

[@artfulbodger9539]

Ford didn't produce the Perana model.. it was Basil Green Motors who made the Perana Granada using a choice of either the windsor V8 or the Essex V6. The cars were sold through the Basil Green dealers.. Basil Green turned several different ford models in to Perana cars.. using the Windsor V8.. the mk1 capri being one.. but he also made mk1 escorts, Cortina's and later mk3 escorts.. Ford SA was using the XR brand, again using a choice of both the Essex V6 and Ford V8..

[@philread7668]

First car I ever drove. A coupe that was my mates dads. We were 15 and took it out for a spin. All went well until his dad came back and the game was up. I had parked it the opposite way around.

[@dandare1001]

My first drive too. I was nicked driving my dad's mkII at 15. The police piled 5 of us into the back of a Mini Metro jam sandwich. My dad wasn't happy when he had to ride his bicycle to the police station at 4:30 am on a Sunday morning. :)

[@Thesdr666]

I leased a couple of Mercury Monarchs (the Mercury version of the Granada) and owned a 1978 Granada for several years. They were quite well built cars that were comfortable, and yet at the same time had good acceleration and maneuvering (admittedly, all of mine had the 302 engine). My Granada had a few weird quirks, but those just made the car more memorable, rather than making me think of it as less reliable.

[@gerhardw.933]

In Germany the base model was named Consul, while the executive version was named Granada. My dad bought a Mk1 Consul 1.7 V4 with 51 hp, the size of the car and the automatic transmission transformed it into a comfortable wandering dune, hovering over rough roads and waved the passengers through corners. I would call it a rolling traffic obstruction. But the V4 engine was robust and reliable; the large gap in the engine compartment reminded us that the car was actually designed for a V6. The Consul came in 🍫 metallic brown, with a black vinyl top, popular in the 70s.

[@veritasvincit2745]

Having Wendy Craig's fancy man chauffeured around in one didn't do them much harm either.

[@riboid]

Purely platonic though surely? Even though it was biting the leg right off her.

[@vmlelectronics]

The Granada MK2 was the inspiration for the brazilian Del Rey, that used the old platform from the Renault 12 and a variation of the Ventoux engine. The Mk1 coupe had an amazing body design, the favourite for me. Nice videos, thanks for sharing!

[@MedicMain9]

as a fellow BR I immediately noticed the similarities

[@matsfredsson9445]

Thanks for an interesting video! Brings back memories from my V6 Granadas. :-) Just a comment regarding Scorpio's V6: it had a V6 from the start, first same 2.4 and 2.8 from Sierra and Granada, then 2.9 with catalytic converter in the late 80's. The 24 valve Cosworth version arrived late 1990.

[@musiclover5023]

My next door Neighbour had the 3 litre Granada Ghia, auto transmission, comfy seating, green tinted elec windows, what a beautiful car. It had everything in it.

[@mercmush]

Who remembers the Ford Granada 2.8i Ghia X ? The essential car to own before you moved up in the world to a BMW 7 series or Mercedes S class.

[@mercmush]

@Ray look on the bright side at least you had the sense to get rid of it !

[@CoryAtRandom]

The Mk I Granada is a great looking car!!! This is the first I’ve seen it. I am jealous considering the Granada we got here 😁

[@alchemist1111]

Cory Turner Talks Cars For real, I had the American Granada but the UK version looks way better.

[@baz5806]

Great seeing the original Granada again.. i remember getting a ride in one when i was a kid, still remember how comfy and quiet it was!

[@botulf4908]

This was great! I had 2 Granadas over the years, not a car buff at all...the first was just a Granada 2.9 auto, got it for £50 from a friend, cost £200 to get through its MOT and had a good year and a half driving with her. After driving a Sierra for two years the Granada was so luxurious! I then bought a Scorpio 2.9 Auto for around £600, was the earlier model...nice boxy shape...really loved her and unfortunately the now ex Mrs talked me into chopping for a crappy Mondeo. My sister married an American airman back in the mid 80s and before they left for America they bought a Taurus....left hand drive Scorpio . Beautiful car but scared the living sheet out of me as I'd been in a bad crash and my sister picked me up in the Taurus and every time she went to overtake I was first in view of oncoming traffic, beautiful car as it was I didn't want to die!

[@BigFatDoobie]

Granada, I got “sick” with mechanics because of her. My father used to have 2,8 carb automatic. Great car 👍

[@70053morayfirth]

I think the Sweeney car was actually not a Granada, but a Consul GT 3.0. Good video. I did quite a lot of driving in a '74 Granada back in the day and dynamically and for comfort it was excellent.

[@neilfletcher9451]

I have a 1985 zcorpio its great only do ne 35000 miles neil