To the GMV spotter, an ESS can most easily be identified by the ESS badging on the front fenders, the blacked-out exterior trim, special ESS headrests, and an interior trim code (on the Ford Dataplate located on the driver’s door) starting with “P” denoting "Performance Bucket Seats." Although no other 1978-80 Granada has such a trim code, it should be noted, however, that not all ESS Granadas were equipped with the Performance Bucket Seats and therefore, may have a different trim code.

Better ideas with European flavor – Granada ESS offers you a distinctive interpretation of European automobile styling. Trim proportions. Clean lines. A regal stance. To anyone who feels once must look to Europe for fine automobile styling, Granada ESS says, “Look again.” Standard engine is the 4.1 litre (250 CID) Six with 4-speed manual overdrive transmission. Options include 5.0 litre (302 CID) V-8 and SelectShift, the 3-speed automatic transmission that lets you shift manually when you like.

For thousands less than what you could spend for some European cars, you can have in ESS a roomy and comfortable 5-passenger sedan (2-door or 4-door), smartly European in styling from its blackout grille to its tricolor taillights. Black windshield wipers, window frames, bodyside moldings (with bright inserts), rocker panels and back panel appliqués. Louvered opera window appliqués (2-door), hood and decklid paint stripes, dual sport remote control mirrors (finished in body color). Color-keyed wheel covers. Wide wheel lip moldings.

Inside, Granada ESS gives you more European flavor. Bucket seats with European-style head restraints and deep-pleated all-vinyl trim are standard. (Flight bench seats in cloth or vinyl, or bucket seats in leather and vinyl are options.)

Granada ESS includes most of the standard Granada features, plus these differences and/or additions:

• ESS Ornamentation on front fenders (For 1978, the ESS appears above the Granada script, for 1979, below the Granada script, and for 1980, instead of the Granada script.)
• Black Window Frames, Windshield Wipers, Grille, Bodyside Moldings (with Bright Inserts), Back Panel Applique, Rocker Panels
• Louvered Opera Window Applique (2-door) (not listed as an exclusive ESS feature for 1979-80)
• Hood and Decklid Paint Stripes
• Dual Sport Color-Keyed Remote Control Mirrors
• Deluxe Bumper Group
• Color-Keyed Wheel Covers
• Buckets with Chain pattern all-Vinyl Trim, European-style Headrests (Reclining bucket seats with map pockets added to the ESS package in 1979)
• 18-oz. Color-Keyed Cut-Pile Carpeting, Leather-Wrapped Steering Wheel (black with optional fingertip speed control added to the ESS package in 1980
• Deluxe Door Trim with Woodtone Appliques and carpeted lower section
• Day/Night inside Rearview Mirror (not listed as an exclusive ESS feature for 1980)
• Rear Door Courtesy Lights (4-door)
• Deluxe Luggage Compartment Trim
• Heavy-Duty Suspension with wide 14” tires (1978 only)
• Color-keyed Deluxe Belts, Deluxe Sound Insulation Pkg. Dual Note Horn
• Warning chime and comfort regulator (added to the ESS package in 1980)

In the photo album below are pictures of the 1978-80 Granada ESS's which have been identified and registered. These rare beauties also appear on the main 1978-80 Granada pages.

Each photo may be enlarged and you may also add comments to the photos.