STYLE ON FOUR WHEELS – THE FORD GRANADA CONSORT
03 July 2024
In the late 1970s and early 1980s, there appeared to be a stream of special edition Granada Mk. 2s. In reality there were four between 1977 and 1981, with Ford promoting the Consort as the car with “2 litre costs. 3 litre features”.
The first limited edition Granada Mk. 2 was the 1979 Ghia Sapphire, which had TRX tyres, an S pack-uprated suspension, and striking Midnight Blue over Strato Silver paintwork. The following year marked the Chasseur, which was devised to celebrate the Winter Olympics and based on the 2.8GL Estate. Its equipment even included four specially devised suitcases.
Later that year, Ford launched the L-based Talisman with a sliding roof, the GL’s centre console and seats, headlamp washers, inertia reel rear seat belts and a “simulated wood-grain fascia”. June 1981 saw three limited-edition Fords; the Fiesta Bravo, the Cortina Carousel, and the Consort, the last special version of the Granada before the launch of the £50million facelifted range that autumn.
In essence, the Consort was the 2.0-litre or 2.3-litre L fitted with driving lamps, “Sports Road Wheels with body colour inserts”, a tilt/slide sunroof, headlamp washers and that wood-grain dashboard for a touch of class. The prices were £6,900 for the 2.0-litre Consort or £7,610 for the 2.3-litre version, and the incredibly decadent motorist could specify a £265 option pack of tinted glass, electric front windows, and central locking.
Possibly the most notable feature of the Consort was its choice of duotone paint finishes – Graphite Grey and Strato Silver or Forest Green and Crystal Green, as seen here on Leigh Marsden’s example. Ford promised “Luxury motoring at far from luxury cost” and when you luxuriated on their “York fabric, with velour outer trim”, you would feel like a Roman emperor.
And the Consort’s launch in June 1981 was perfectly timed. It allowed Ford dealers to clear their showrooms of W-registered models before the X-plates on the 1st August and maintain the Granada’s profile before they unveiled the facelifted models. The Consort also represented excellent value for money; the standard 2.3L cost £7,747, while a Vauxhall Carlton was £7,173.
Ford made only 1,600 Consorts, and today, Lee’s 2.3-litre version is a vivid reminder of Ford GB’s marketing 43 years ago—https://www.carandclassic.com/l/C1645899. At that time, a large saloon could be promoted as having “Black bumpers and over-riders” and “Black door handles and window surrounds” as special features.
Plus, for anyone considering buying a smaller car, “Why cramp your style, not to mention your family, when you can take to the road in the Ford Granada Consort?”
With Thanks To: Leigh Marsden and for the permission to use the image in this blog.