You’re probably asking yourself why this bloody Ford Granada is featured in Super Street, much less our Euro Flavor section. While the blue oval typically echoes American muscle and large pickup trucks, it’s a completely different animal in Europe with a huge enthusiast following, particularly retro Fords. You should check out shows and races throughout the UK and Scandinavia and find a large number of tastefully modified Capris, Cortinas, Escorts, Focus and Granadas. So to give you a small taste of what you’re missing, we found this ’82 Granada in Norway. In all honesty, it’s one of several sickest cars to grace our mag featuring some high-end Euro parts similar to a V8 engine based on the Koenigsegg and Porsche/Mercedes brakes. We might literally spend the entire book going into every little detail about the Granada but because of page constraints and your ADD, we’re likely to highlight the coolest bits here.
The Granada was bone stock, before owner and builder Joel Olsen, endeavored on the 17-year journey that would wind up being more epic than Frodo’s journey through Middle Earth. The project’s first stage was a ‘measly’ 600hp Cosworth-built track car capable of 200mph. Joel was hungry for more, although it would be enough power for mere mortals like us. So, he moved to the twin-turbo 4.7-liter V8 seen here. This particular V8 block is same block used in the Koenigsegg CCR and CC8. And also for extra bragging rights, exactly the sameFrom that point, we can’t imagine the hours, months, days and years it took Joel to perfect every element of his engine setup. He fabricated everything from scratch such as the turbo and intake manifolds, plumbing, air conditioning, firewall, floors and exhaust. The engine itself features some of the best parts around such as the 300M steel rods-not even available over the counter. The pinnacle is pretty trick as well using beryllium-copper valves seats that remove heat from the valves. The two turbochargers are from Comp Turbos, as for boost. Each are prepared for 1100hp and have its own individual oil supply.
Now let’s talk power… After years of testing and fine-tuning, the ridiculous Koenigsegg-based engine put down 1300hp on pump gas using a linear torque curve that peaks at 896 lb-ft. Joel tells us the motor can rev to 9600rpm but he’s set the limiter to 8500rpm because it’s already eff’n bananas. And if you’re wondering about how much more power this motor can make, the current setup is more than capable of breaking the 2000hp mark but will need to be connected to an engine dyno. Accomplishes this Granada have your respect now?
The drivetrain and chassis had to be equally as buff, that you can guess. Joel sourced a six-speed Liberty tranny, which is common with drag racers. Before installed, it had been rebuilt with modified gears and a custom relief valve on the clutch release bearing to give Joel easier drivability and a more quicker and positive gear change.For the chassis, Joel’s stipulation was that he didn’t want a tubular space frame car but keep the original structure and suspension mounting points. So a rollcage helped tighten up the chassis. Next, Joel determined the front suspension out of a GT40 and rear from a Mustang Cobra R would give him the ideal handling and balance possible. He fabbed within the additional arms, sway bars and alignment tools to fine-tune his suspension competitively for the track.
The madness continues to the brakes where Joel retrofitted parts from the, Mercedes and Porsche Mustang. After determining the weight of the car and position of your brakes, a Tilton pedal box and master cylinder were built to the car’s spec.
Maybe the least modified part may be the exterior. Joel wanted to maintain the styling near to its original design. So, you’ll only notice an RS body kit, billet wheels, carbon spoiler and motorized hood vents-they actually open when the fan turns on!
Many people wouldn’t say ‘oh shit! Take a good look and you’ll notice the 335-series tires out back, then open the hood and it’s game over, though ’ to some boring old Granada similar to this. While we couldn’t cover every part of the try, understand and build the amount of work that went into this project. After 17 many years of hard work, Joel’s 1300 hp Ford is undoubtedly one of the most extreme in-depth home-built project cars on earth.