|
Post by Sam Tyler on Oct 17, 2019 12:47:20 GMT
Spot on Terry. The mk2 Granada and the facelift mk2 Granada are as good and stylish as the mk1. Yes they looked like larger versions of the mk4 and mk5 Cortina but in my book that's not a bad thing, quite the opposite in fact. The mk3 Granada certainly wasn't my cup of Tetley and that's before we get onto the booted versions and the Scorpio. Sam The designer of the Mk4 must have come from British Leyland! In my best John McEnroe voice: "You cannot be serious!"
When the mk4 was designed Leyland were punting out stuff like the Allegro, the Marina (and Ital), and the Princess. Thankfully the mk4 was a world apart from them (as was the mk1 Cavalier being of similar vintage).
Sam.
|
|
Cartman
Producer
Posts: 4,013
Online Status:
|
Post by Cartman on Oct 17, 2019 12:49:52 GMT
I think he means the mk 4 version of the Granada, that horrible looking Scorpio thing. The mk 4 Cortina was a brilliant car
|
|
Three Litre
Producer
Oscar 24
Posts: 3,414
Online Status:
|
Post by Three Litre on Oct 17, 2019 12:51:27 GMT
The designer of the Mk4 must have come from British Leyland! In my best John McEnroe voice: "You cannot be serious!"
When the mk4 was designed Leyland were punting out stuff like the Allegro, the Marina (and Ital), and the Princess. Thankfully the mk4 was a world apart from them (as was the mk1 Cavalier being of similar vintage).
Sam.
Not in looks it wasn’t ! Assuming we are both referring to the final fish-eyed Scorpio.
|
|
Del Boy
Moderator
Posts: 9,895
Online Status:
|
Post by Del Boy on Oct 17, 2019 22:06:21 GMT
The Mk1 is a great car and a huge improvement on its predecessor the last Zodiac. By the time the late 70s approached this car was still fantastic in my book. The Ghia version like the lovely RHJ for example is my favourite in this shape. The Granada Mk1 was a victim of being redesigned too quickly but as was said earlier Ford was bringing a uniform style to the whole range. Was the Granada mk1 only about for 7 years? It could have easily done the same again with a facelift new interiors and equipment.
I love the mk2 also. Its style was very modern at the time. Straight more angular looks were en vogue and this is another very good car. You could get a fag paper between them. Lets face it the mk1 was a tough act to follow but i think they pulled it off with the mk2. The late cars again were the best for me although cant believe they facelifted it so soon after launch. All in I think the mk2 lasted 7 or 8 years before being replaced by the big jelly mould. They failed to better the car with the mk3 in my book.
In summary I'd say the late mk1 shape is the better of the two just and only because i prefer curvey styles generally. But the more modern mk2 was the better drivers car especially in 2.8i form. The biggest problem is that they were both replaced far too early.
|
|
|
Post by Dirty Epic on Oct 18, 2019 6:29:23 GMT
The Mk1 is a great car and a huge improvement on its predecessor the last Zodiac. By the time the late 70s approached this car was still fantastic in my book. The Ghia version like the lovely RHJ for example is my favourite in this shape. The Granada Mk1 was a victim of being redesigned too quickly but as was said earlier Ford was bringing a uniform style to the whole range. Was the Granada mk1 only about for 7 years? It could have easily done the same again with a facelift new interiors and equipment. I love the mk2 also. Its style was very modern at the time. Straight more angular looks were en vogue and this is another very good car. You could get a fag paper between them. Lets face it the mk1 was a tough act to follow but i think they pulled it off with the mk2. The late cars again were the best for me although cant believe they facelifted it so soon after launch. All in I think the mk2 lasted 7 or 8 years before being replaced by the big jelly mould. They failed to better the car with the mk3 in my book. In summary I'd say the late mk1 shape is the better of the two just and only because i prefer curvey styles generally. But the more modern mk2 was the better drivers car especially in 2.8i form. The biggest problem is that they were both replaced far too early. Very good post Del.
Again it’s a tough call as they’re both top notch but I’d have the mk2 slightly ahead of the mk1, although like you would’ve been interesting to see a refreshed post ’77 version of the mk1 with the oval Ford badges, trim etc. It would probably have had a similar feel to the Ford Falcon XC from Australia which Ford kept on until 1979 and replaced with the mk4 Cortina/mk2 Granada fusion styled Falcon XD which looks very Granada like.
Going to be a bit controversial but I didn’t mind the 1985-94 mk3 Granada/Scorpio which for the time I feel was quite a good car in that sector if perhaps losing ground to the German and prestige marques. I think it looked better proportioned/styled than the Sierra although being a kid around that time I probably like and relate more to the 80’s Ford’s I suppose. Ford’s mistake – like with the Escort and Sierra to some degree, was not having a saloon version of the mk3 from the word go and other manufacturers did try the hatchback route quite extensively during that decade. Rover had a go with their 800 Fastback which was a rival for the Granada/Scorpio around that time and has developed a bit of a following over the years too. Each to their own and I can understand why some fans of the mk1/2 hate the mk3’s radical change.
Fully agree mind the mk4/Scorpio looked awful but again underneath was probably a half decent car… if only it’s front and rear ends didn’t look as pug ugly! I kind of wonder whether Ford actually deliberately messed the mk4 up to have a quick/easy way to exit the large saloon car market?
Also by the mid-90's Ford's brand whether the cars were good or bad was not what attracted buyers to that sector and then we got Renault's Espace and the MPV boom which rightly or wrong has effectively killed off the low/mid range sector for these vehicles in the UK/Europe!
|
|
|
Post by Dirty Epic on Oct 18, 2019 6:50:53 GMT
In my best John McEnroe voice: "You cannot be serious!"
Sorry Sam but can't resist this.
Yep, I know...
|
|
Three Litre
Producer
Oscar 24
Posts: 3,414
Online Status:
|
Post by Three Litre on Oct 19, 2019 11:58:31 GMT
As stated above Ford were following a design theme and maybe still do, at the time they were producing Granadas.
Trouble is, you start with a major compromise if you are doing that as you are forcing the designs down a particular path before you start and end with some design turkeys, IMO.
Another good point made earlier was that the later cars were probably a better drive and certainly more efficient.
|
|
B16YUG
AWOL
Posts: 231
Online Status:
|
Post by B16YUG on Nov 5, 2019 22:21:02 GMT
Cool clip - I have most of the lego models that the chap has - and smirked with his BBC microcomputer T-Shirt too!
|
|