Description
1973 Ford Granada 3. 0 XL Manual in Zaandvort Orange with Black Trim.
Time has come to sell my very rarely used Ford Granada. It’s a South African import, an has never been welded, or in this case, had any panels or paint. So, extremely original. All glass has the SA chassis number etched into it apart from the rear screen – which is an unheated one for the SA climate! The front screen has the SA tax disc / licence dated just prior to its import into the UK back in 2020. I’m the second UK owner – buying it from Car Cave in March 2022 – the original owner part ex-ing it back in there for a Perana coupe.
The car has done just 90080 kilometres – less than 56000 miles. The 3. 0 engine is the original matching number SA blue block unit, new carburettor (a proper Weber import, not a Chinese copy) and an Accuspark electronic ignition kit to the Motorcraft distributor with their matching leads and spark plugs. Engine paint is original blue, black rocker covers, vapour blasted inlet and thermostat elbow, blasted and repainted air filter housing. All the coolant hose clips have been replaced, a new water pump fitted, and fresh OAT anti freeze. The rad has a recon label on it from it’s time in SA. A new 55 amp alternator has also been fitted – the original had the Ind lamp wire disconnected - the charge lamp was on all the time!
The exhaust system is stainless apart from the two downpipes, the rear box built up last year in a Perana style twin pipe exit using EPUK components, so it has an exhaust note not dissimilar to a Mk1 3 litre Capri in tone and volume.
It has a Sierra (SA 3. 0, so proper rated box and bellhousing to fit the Essex engine by Ford) 5 speed, with the proper speedo drive gear. I had a propshaft made for it last year – it had a single piece one on it, but needed a rebuild – I tried a split prop on it from a mk2, but the centre bearing housing is wrong and a proper Mk1 one couldn’t be found – hence a custom made single piece one. The diff input spline and sleeve were really badly worn, the diff splines being unrecoverable, so a correct 3. 45 ratio one from a mk2 2. 8i was sourced (non LSD), and a new input splined sleeve, o ring, bellows cup and input shaft bearing fitted, and installed with new full driveshafts and wheel bearings. No clonk, and a relaxed motorway cruise speed with better economy.
The brakes have been fully gone through. I’m not sure what it is with SA cars and brakes, but bodges galore! Started at the front, both front ATE calipers were partially seized, so stripped, vapour blasted and new pistons and seals, and fitted up with NOS genuine Ford brake pads, new brake hoses to both calipers and the hidden short subframe connector one, and new wheel bearing kits while it was all apart. The rear brakes have had new cylinders, radius arm steel pipes and all hoses (so every hose on the car is new), new brake shoes to replace the original ones that had lost the friction material in one case. A new complete handbrake cable and guide supports finishes off the rear end.
New upper and lower balljoints on the front wishbones both sides, new anti roll bar droplinks, and a Mk2 2. 8i thicker roll bar to reduce roll. At the rear the diff rearmost large support donut has been changed.
The underside has been treated with Kent rust treatment to any areas where the original paint had come off, then sealed with self healing Buzzweld cold galvanising super zinc black, and all the subframes and suspension bits similar Kent treated then Buzzweld ‘CIO - Chassis In One’ painted, all sill boxes and the front to rear chassis boxes have been Buzzweld Self Healing cavity waxed. Expensive stuff, but proper.
I’ve had the instruments out to repair some tracks on the printed circuit, and there’s a UK MPH instrument cluster to go with the car if you prefer a non Km speedo! A period Ford MW / UHF cassette tape stereo has been put in for the two front door speakers, the rear shelf is uncut.
The heater resistor was also repaired and now works on all varying speeds while the dash was out.
It’s had a new ignition lock and barrel, and all locks coded to match the ignition key. The boot lock is a brand new bezel and barrel kit, coded to match – so a period proper 3 Lions Ford key to all locks. The original non-locking filler cap is included although a new CBS locking cap is on the car at the mo.
All the doors have been apart, the door handle gaskets replaced with NOS, and all the window gears unseized, and door latches and strikers reset.
Two NOS front door seals were sourced from Germany earlier this year and fitted. New stainless steel wiper arms and blades, new rear lamp lenses imported from SA.
Powdercoated sport wheels with new tyres and a Ford RS locking kit.
The front seats have split on some of the stitched seams, and the carpet is original with some wear - and the body not concours with some chips and little dents. I have 200+ pics if you need to see anywhere in detail. Has an MOT although it is exempt, and tax exempt as over 40 years old - remember this car is now over 50 years old!.
The plan was to build a 5. 0 V8 Perana replica with this, but some of the parts are unique and very unavailable, and it really wouldn't be like a real Perana, and the car is soo good and original to substantially change!
All the work is documented with loads of pics, if you need to see any just ask. Thick folder of receipts and invoices, and the Car Cave website has the original pics of the car prior to the first owner and me having it.
