Touring Granada ( Bad Grandpa)

[jovibuilt]

I am building a 1979 Granada 4 door.I have watched and read most of the threads in Alternate Tinkerings.I love to watch the fab work here.So here is the story.I have had many Mustangs,Capri's,Camaro's and Trans Am's.But with a gf with three kids a four door is better.I always like Granada's I had a dd for a couple years and it was fun so.I bought a 78 four door with 91,378 original miles even the ac works.I want to try to do the hot rod power tour in the next couple years.The plan 5.0 from an Explorer EFI 5 speed with four wheel disc brakes the 8.8 from same Explorer.Maybe a paxton supercharger later after the bugs have been worked out.And a set of 17x9 ansen slots.I want to keep the classic feel but up date a few subtle things. I am hoping some of you can help with the questions and problems I have.And since there really is no Granada boards I wanted to do a build thread here.Here is the day I got her.


And with an old set of slots I had on the dd years ago just to see the look.

[jovibuilt]

The first thing I did was fix the dash bezel where the po cut it for a double din cd player.And use carbon fiber vinyl wrap to update the wood grain look.I dont have pictures of the repair yet but this is where I started.I ordered blue led gauges to go in the dash above the glove box,since the car only came with Idiot lights.After cutting the holes I will use the same vinyl wrap.Still waiting on the gauges.

I also bought a 90 model mustang gt with a 5.0 5 speed as a donor.

[jovibuilt]

I just bought a clutch pedal and column from a floor shift Granada on ebay.I am going to go with a modern drive line hydro set up I think and a RJM wiring harness for the motor.Let me know what you guy's think.

[NONHOG]

Not something you see everyday, for that I like it. I had one that was a 302 4 speed, 4th gear being O/D. It would hold its own against my buddies 350 4 speed 74 Camaro. Neither being fast cars. Mine came with homemade cruise control made of wood, string and leather it worked but I removed it the next day.

If you go Explorer, study up on PATS if you haven't already. Ways around it but it must be dealt with. I have mine(Explorer swap) running now but not real happy with the computer tune and my tuner is out of business.

[see ten]

Kudos to you for choosing to build something different!

I like it better with the hubcaps... but that's just my opinion.

I think It has more of a "sleeper" look that way

[Daddy'O]

Holy Moly……

We still have the 1978 Granada my wife drove in high school (we both graduated in 1980). It has the inline six with a three speed manual in the floor and it’s a two door coupe. Been sitting in the pasture for years now.

I too thought it would be a cool ride to fix up but the uni-body is a toast, or I should say, Swiss cheese.

[jovibuilt]

Originally Posted by NONHOG

Not something you see everyday, for that I like it. I had one that was a 302 4 speed, 4th gear being O/D. It would hold its own against my buddies 350 4 speed 74 Camaro. Neither being fast cars. Mine came with homemade cruise control made of wood, string and leather it worked but I removed it the next day.

If you go Explorer, study up on PATS if you haven't already. Ways around it but it must be dealt with. I have mine(Explorer swap) running now but not real happy with the computer tune and my tuner is out of business.

Going to do the explorer motor with mustang fuel injection and rjm wiring harness.

[jovibuilt]

Originally Posted by Daddy'O

Holy Moly……

We still have the 1978 Granada my wife drove in high school (we both graduated in 1980). It has the inline six with a three speed manual in the floor and it’s a two door coupe. Been sitting in the pasture for years now.

I too thought it would be a cool ride to fix up but the uni-body is a toast, or I should say, Swiss cheese.

That clutch pedal set up is worth a lot.Trust me I just got one off ebay.

[Russell Ashley]

I love projects like this so I'll be following along. I like your plans for engine and tranny, but I think I would ditch the slots and RWL tires for something more up to date. The later model Crown Vic's or Grand Marquis's had some decent looking alloy wheels that might compliment the Granada if they will bolt up.

[jovibuilt]

Originally Posted by Russell Ashley

I love projects like this so I'll be following along. I like your plans for engine and tranny, but I think I would ditch the slots and RWL tires for something more up to date. The later model Crown Vic's or Grand Marquis's had some decent looking alloy wheels that might compliment the Granada if they will bolt up.

I am planning on the new anson slots 17X9.

[flashed]

Im in to see this one ,I had a Mercury Monarch 2 dr way back with a guttless 302 and floor shift but it got great mileage ,loved that car .

[CG]

First off to each their own, but why not get something a little older and do all this to it? That way if you ever decided to sell it would be much easier to move.

One of my friends sons is basically doing everything you are but to a 58 Ford wagon four door. He got the complete thing minus drive train and is just going to town with it.

I don't dislike Granadas at all. My dad sold these new. I liked the two doors a lot. Course back then I had only been out of HS for a couple of years and owning a four door was just something a young guy wouldn't do hah. Now as a father and grandfather a four door definitely has its advantages over a two door.

Anyway its just a thought ... carry on.

[SCOTI]

Originally Posted by CG

First off to each their own, but why not get something a little older and do all this to it? That way if you ever decided to sell it would be much easier to move.
One of my friends sons is basically doing everything you are but to a 58 Ford wagon four door. He got the complete thing minus drive train and is just going to town with it.

I don't dislike Granadas at all. My dad sold these new. I liked the two doors a lot. Course back then I had only been out of HS for a couple of years and owning a four door was just something a young guy wouldn't do hah. Now as a father and grandfather a four door definitely has its advantages over a two door.

Anyway its just a thought ... carry on.

My bet is initial investment of the late 70's model Granada vs something older that's as easily adaptable.

[CG]

Yeah I figured that, but deals are out there for the older stuff if you look around. I totally get where he is going with the build, and I'm sure it will be great. I'm just one of those fellas that likes the older stuff and believes if it ever comes down to the need, the older stuff done right would be easier to sell.

Course I don't always make those right decisions LOL!

[Russell Ashley]

This car doesn't appear to need any rust repair, body work, or paint. It also already has disk brakes, automatic, p/s, and p/b, and probably a/c. From the looks of the outside, the interior is probably in decent shape also. So he is already about $15K ahead in expenses that a 50's or older car would need, not to mention the extra money he would have had to pay to purchase the older vehicle. I love old cars too but this Granada makes a lot of sense to me, and he won't see another one like it at cruse in's. BTW, this is an older car to anyone under 35, LOL.

[CG]

Originally Posted by Russell Ashley

BTW, this is an older car to anyone under 35, LOL.

Haha, that's true.

58 Ford Wagon complete less drive train under 800 bucks. You can convert the Ford drums to late model disks easily. Comes stock with 9inch rear. Ford Aerostar springs will lower it a few inches without cutting coils. I believe he also bought a later model Mustang for the drive train. Take what he needs, sell the rest. Not sure if the air con would be able to swapped over, probably not. Interior was decent, body had almost zero rust. He's going to paint it himself. Yeah he got a really good deal on a really decent car ... You just gotta keep your eyes peeled.

Not arguing with anyone, and I'm sure the OP will do the Granada proud.

[CG]

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[Low Elco]

Originally Posted by CG

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NOw, this I like!

[jovibuilt]

Originally Posted by CG

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Thats the look I am shooting for except with slot wheels.I have a few small updates with pics.Coming soon.

[Jonboy]

Slotted wheels make everything better. Much better.

[Zoomin]

Great project!