The most famous car in The Sweeney was the Ford Granada Consul GT in metallic bronze used by Regan and Carter in the
first, second and part of the third series. The car was almost completely standard with the exception of a sump guard to protect
the bottom end of the engine block during stunts.
The Granada itself was the replacement for the Ford Zodiac and Zephyr and was introduced in 1972. The car was produced
in Ghia, GT and S variants with a high standard of trim and options included. The car was powered by the Essex 3.0
V6 engine that produced around 140 bhp, and was good for 115mph. A 2.0 and 2.3 litre version was also available. The car was
offered as an automatic as standard, with the option of a four speed manual available. The car was mainly bought by company
execs, managers and was used extensively as a company car. Very reliable, with excellent performance and good build quality,
the Granada was extremely popular. It was available throughout Europe, Australia and South Africa and is now seen as a desirable
classic car.
The Mk II that followed in 1977 was based on the same chassis and engine configuration with a larger, more squared off
body. Seen as a rival to the Rover 3500 SD1 and Vauxhall Senator, the Mk II was up against stern opposition, but the
Rover's lack of build quality and the Senator's reliability made the Granada it's class leader.
The Granada was further updated in 1985 with a completely new shape based on the contemporary Ford Sierra.
The 2.8 Injection engine was enlarged to 2.9 litres and the interior was even more spacious. Gone was the saloon look however, with
a hatchback bodyshell adopted. The Granada Mk III was rebadged as the Scorpio in the early 1990's, before being
completely replaced by a new look Scorpio in 1997.
Always a top of the line executive car, early Granadas if well kept make for a very worthy collectors' item. The 'jelly
mould' shape Mk. III on the other hand can be bought for a few hundred quid.
The Sweeney Granada is currently undergoing restoration work, and is the only major car used in the series known
to survive today. The Granada Ghia used in S3 is believed to have been scrapped many years ago. That car had a bigger carbouretter
fitted (listen to the engine note during the episodes!). The Mk. II featured in S4 and Sweeney 2 was a 2.8 Injection model.
The car was exported out of the UK just after filming on the series ended in summer of 1978.
