Ford Granada 2.8i Ghia X estate | Spotted

Our fondness for classic fast Fords in the UK shows no signs of abating. When Cosworths, Capris, Cortinas and the rest started going berserk a while back, we assumed it was a phase. Alas, the market has gone from mad to madder: in 2012 a low mileage Sierra RS500 looked a lot at £65k. Today a car with more miles is for sale at £175,000. So now it’s a trend. And without wishing to pour more fuel on the fire, it’s easy to understand why. Nostalgia is a powerful drug, and the sheer popularity of Blue Oval bruisers over the years is well documented. Their numbers have drastically dwindled, too, so more people are chasing fewer and fewer cars. What was commonplace and affordable is now the opposite. (It’ll be interesting to see what happens with the final Fiesta and Focus STs in the coming years). 

The point is that those of us who covet a classic Ford with a big engine can feel a bit despondent in 2024, because they really aren’t coming back down to earth. When even the Fiesta can’t survive in the modern era, it’s unlikely the veneration of the firm’s icons will subside. However, there is a way around these things; if you can live without an RS badge or a homologation link, there’s still some old-school cool out there that isn’t crazy money. 

Behold the Granada Ghia X, a top-of-the-range Ford estate from the days when this sort of thing was genuinely aspirational. It doesn’t have competition pedigree or a crazy bodykit or a Cosworth badge, but it does have the Cologne V6 up front and, just as importantly, the sort of spec that will draw people to it like nothing else at this money. Or an awful lot more money, in fact. 

If the Champagne Gold with brown cloth looks especially good here (and what a colour combo), there’s a good reason for that. This Granny was restored over two years, finishing in 2020, which eliminated all the rust, resprayed the panels, waxoyled the underside and rebuilt the engine, including an increase in bore to 94mm from the standard 93mm. Apparently, the interior remained original, however, meaning it really has survived 40 years well. Even with a few cigarette burns to the door card…

For whatever reason  the Granada Ghia X has only covered a few hundred miles since restoration, so it’s still yet to pass 100,000 miles. Perhaps it was deemed too nice to use, or surplus to requirements – or only saved for Sunday best. There wouldn’t be many classic shows where this wouldn’t draw a crowd. Any Granda is a rare beast in 2024, let alone a recently restored V6 estate. In Champagne Gold. 

Now that it’s more than 40 years old, this old Ford is exempt from both ULEZ (what a sight that would make) and the usual MOT requirement. Its last three (2022, 2021 and 2019) were passed with flying colours, and it looks absolutely fabulous in the photos, so there’s little reason to doubt its condition. That being said, a second pair of eyes is never a bad idea, just to make sure all the rust has been tended to. Last thing the next owner wants is to take on additional restorative work. What they’ll want to do is cruise around in their V6 Granada like it’s the good old days, drawing admiring glances wherever the drive takes them. Which doesn’t sound like a bad way to spend £11k, especially with all that space for passengers. Don’t get that with a Capri. 

Engine: 2,792cc, six-cylinder, naturally aspirated
Transmission: Three-speed auto, rear-wheel drive
Power (hp): 150@5,700rpm
Torque (lb ft): 159@4,000rpm
CO2: N/A
MPG: c. 25
Recorded mileage: 95,000
Year registered: 1983
Price new: N/A
Yours for: £11,499