MEET THE OWNER – LEE PAINTER AND HIS FORD GRANADA 3000S

For many Granada enthusiasts, the 3000S Mk 1 is one of the rarest and most desirable models. Lee Painter’s Diamond White example looks like it’s just emerged from a Ford dealership circa 1977.

At one point however, the model was on the verge of the banger racing circuit.

When the Granada made its debut in March 1972, Ford revived the Consul badge, last seen in 1964 as a prefix on the Cortina and the Corsair, for the cheaper versions.

The 2.0-litre and 2.5-litre Base and L were for the fleet markets, while the 3000 GT combined the Essex V6 engine with modified suspension and, for additional distinction, halogen driving lamps.

October 1975 saw a facelift of the entire range with improved instrumentation, a modified driving position and up-rated springs.

Ford now used the Granada name throughout the line-up with the Consul GT succeeded by the 3000S.

The latest version was immediately recognisable via its twin auxiliary lamps, while the specification now included power-assisted steering and front head restraints.

Motor was clearly impressed, praising the accommodation, gear change, performance, handling and road-holding.

The fortunate buyer also gained ‘sports road wheels’, a ‘sports steering wheel’ and a ‘sports gearshift knob’ befitting a Granada bearing the ‘S’ badge. Ford based the equipment levels on the L, which kept the price to a very reasonable £3,196.

Anyone who craved a sliding roof, a rear folding armrest, an MW/LW radio, and a remote control door mirror needed to aspire to the social heights of a GL ownership

The 3000S appealed to the private motorist, who needed a five-seater 110 mph saloon that could double as a tow-car, and to many County Constabularies.

It also featured in The Sweeney in the form of the Astro Silver Ford PR vehicle NWC 301 P. In August 1977, the Granada 2.8iS Mk 2 succeeded the 3000S, and today the survival rate believed to be a mere four examples.

And so Lee came by his magnificent Granada in 2009. He said: “I made a recovery on the car. It was in a bad state, and it was not for sale, but I said to the guy, if you ever want to sell it, please contact me.”

Two years later, the owner finally informed Mr. Painter that the Granada was for sale. At that stage, it was in a highly dilapidated condition and destined for the banger circuit if it did not find a buyer.

Naturally, Lee acted quickly, and his next challenge was the refurbishment of the 3000S.

He commented: “I found a fantastic guy called Julian Peapell based in Swindon who specialised in restoring Granadas. I saw the quality of his work at the NEC Classic Car Show, so I booked it in with him - but he had a three-year waiting list!”

However, the Painter 3000S was clearly worth the wait. Back in 1975, the Ford brochure promised ‘superb performance, superb value’. They could have also claimed ‘superb style’ with equal accuracy.

With Thanks To: Lee Painter

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