History is priceless

[eddyramrod]

I was getting a bit fed-up with the Capri, not least because Mrs Ramrod has gone from "it's lovely, buy it" to "I'm not going in that" in a lot less than the 15 months I've owned it. My garage-owning friend Andreas knew this. Recently one of his contacts in the nearby port city of Limassol rang to offer him a car. In fact a selection of cars. Andreas immediately thought of me. He knows that (Benny Hill, Italian Job, 1969) "I like 'em big, very big!"

Opening credits of The Sweeney? Nope...

OK, this is obviously my new toy (with my old one behind it) and it's obviously a Ford Granada Mk1. In fact it's a Miami Blue 1972 GXL with the 2.5V6 and manual box. Like the Capri, it's the only one of this model on the road in the Paphos district. However!

 

The story I've been given comes without supporting paperwork, but I've done some checking in the right places, and the circumstantial evidence is strong. So here it is...

In July 1974 President Makarios was deposed in a coup, just days before the Turks invaded the north of Cyprus. He was spirited away from the Presidential Palace in Nicosia by loyal supporters in a Ford Granada. This one! Makarios is a national hero in Cyprus, every town has a street named after him. Suddenly I'm a guardian of history here, and the history just happens to be wrapped up in a rather nice car. The circumstantial evidence stacks up to support the story, I just need to find paper confirmation of it, of any of it! I'll keep at it.

[bigstraight6]

That looks stunning! nice bit of history with it to.....

[HillmanImp]

[autofive]

great story

 

and a cracking purchase

 

ps does this 2.5 essex have a 4-speed or 5-speed gearbox?

[pbottomley]

 

this young lady appears to have rabies

[eddyramrod]

great story

 

and a cracking purchase

 

ps does this 2.5 essex have a 4-speed or 5-speed gearbox?

 

4 speed... it's 38 years ago, remember! And thanks, everyone, for the comments I'll try to do the car justice.

[michiel]

Great buy!

[retrogeezer]

that does look stunning!

[Torsten2001]

That's a great car! Get the correct plates on it though and it really would look amazing! Is it a UK built car?

[Pete-M]

Want.

 

How hard is it to export stuff from Malta?

[autofive]

Want.

 

How hard is it to export stuff from Malta?

 

if you know someone in the Uk forces it can be very easy and cheap

[Gompo]

Nice little story you got there.

 

Is the Capri going then or are you allowed to keep it aswell?