Mark II (1977–85)

GRANADA Mk2

In September 1977, Ford announced its new Granada with cleaner, more elegant body style and featuring German built 2.3, 2.8 and 2.8 litre fuel injection engines. In response to company fleet needs a 2.1 litre diesel engine option was also offered for the first time on a Ford car.

By continuously upgrading Granada's competitive specification, subtly improving interior and exterior design details, Granada went on to become the industry's benchmark for large car style, comfort and driver appeal. Its excellent overall package and value for money also helped it to maintain high retained values in the used car market against a backdrop of continuing oil crises and fuel price increases.

From September 1978 all 'GL' and 'Ghia' models were fitted with central locking as standard. The 'Ghia' also offered electric windows, halogen fog lamps and headlamp washers.

To ensure Granada was kept as high as possible on the fleet customers short-lists, special editions were offered almost on an annual basis. Their excellent value added packages helped each to regain market share for the design to a point where it regularly appeared in the British Top Ten sales charts in spite of the general 'buying down' to the increasingly competitive and more fuel efficient medium car ranges on offer.

Special edition Granada's included the Sapphire 2.8 litre (May 1979); Talisman 2.0 and 2.3 litre models (November 1980); Consort 2.0 and 2.3 litre (June 1981); and the Chasseur estate which came complete with tailor made luggage.

All models were revised in October 1981 to incorporate long life exhaust, improved power steering and brakes, restyled grille and tail lamp clusters, new bumpers and new style facia. In April 1982, Ford improved the specification across the range with central locking and remote door mirrors from the 2000L upwards. The 2.3 litre 'GL' acquired tinted glass, electric front windows and power operated drivers seat and the new 'Ghia X' was introduced with heated front seats and metallic paint as standard.

In October 1982, the new 5 speed manual gearbox was introduced and fitted as standard on all 2.8 litre petrol engine models and the newly increased 2.5 litre diesel engine. This new transmission was also offered as an option on the 2.0 and 2.3 litre models.

By September 1983, the 5 speed transmission was standard on all models and a higher specification of audio equipment was introduced across the range.

As Ford prepared for the launch of its new, aerodynamic Granada hatchback, code named DE-1, it announced in April 1984, the final Mk11 special edition - the superbly equipped Granada 'Ghia X' which helped to carry the range through until May 1985 when the sleek new model went on sale.

(The above history is a extract from the Ford publication 'Information from Ford - Ford Models No:17')