I’m an english teacher living in siberia. My wife and i are looking to buy a car. I’m looking at a 79 Ford Grenada for $2300. Yes everything’s much more expensive here. I would like to know about any problems known with this vehicle, burns oil, poor steering etc. thanks so much. Buy the way, to buy a Russian car would be foolish as they constantly break. Siberian Pete
In order to get an answer with much value, you have to clarify something for us. Is this the Ford Grenada that was made and sold in the US, or is it the totally different Ford Grenada that was made and sold in the UK? The differences between the two cars makes for a world of difference in potential responses.
Hmmm…The more that I think about it, I believe that the model name is actually Granada, rather than Grenada. Sorry for any confusion.
I’m assuming the US as it has left side steering. The body is in good shape I’m just concerned about the mechanics and my Russian isn’t that specialised to ask the right questions and my wife won’t know either. Thanks
I actually bought a 78 Granada about 15-20 years ago. Got a deal I could not turn down; 150 bucks, 6 cylinder auto, no A/C, and straight inside and out.
Installed a homemade, hybrid A/C unit made up of Ford and Subaru parts in one afternoon and voila!
The car gave me good service for about 4 years until a local guy wanted to buy it off of me for more than I paid, so off it went.
They’re nothing spectacular, just basic transportation.
Simple and cheap to work on and never any problems at all out of mine. Seems like it had about 180k on it when I sold it.
The only hiccup that ever occurred was now and then during those 100 degree+ Oklahoma days it would try to vapor lock. This was solved by removing the steel gas line and replacing it with rubber hose along with adding a 1/4" thick fiber spacer under the carburetor.
(Basically, vapor lock is gasoline boiling away in the fuel lines or usually the carburetor float bowl, which leads to a flooded condition.)
The price is a bit much but over there the market might demand it. As to the car itself, they’re decent.
I agree with ok4450. The Ford Granada may not be a very exciting vehicle to drive, but it is a fairly solid design that has tended to be reliable as it ages. And, the basic (front engine, rear wheel drive) design should enable virtually any mechanic to work on it.
The only thing that would give me pause is the question of the availability of parts for that car in Russia. Unlike the cars of today, a car of that vintage will need annual replacements of things like spark plugs, ignition points, and condensor. I would suggest placing a phantom telephone call to an auto parts store and asking them if they stock those parts (as well as things like oil filters and radiator hoses) for a Ford Granada of that vintage.
If not, then you might be forced to buy one of those unreliable Russian cars. At least they would have parts readily available.
the parts supply also crossed my mind. don’t have to worry about 100 degree days here too much though it did happen 2 years back. thanks to all for advice.