ANOTHER GMV IN EUROPE

[robic58]

This one in Romania

1980 Ford-Mercury Monarch ghia 5 liter V8


Hello, my name is Vlad I am 30 and live in Timisoara, Romania, EU

My car had been build in september 1979, and assembled in FORD Factory in
Koln-Germany (and makes it one of the earliest 1980 modell). The ID serial plate
on chasis is MADE IN GERMANY at FORD WERKE KOLN!
Only its original colour has been changed from dark red into this happy-red,
witch I like most. Original interiours and mechanical has been preserved, in
original shape. It hase 109.200 km (I have bought it 4 months ago with 108.000
km). It has Ghia options with electrical windows and mirror, lether, automatic
climatic control, automatic gearbox).
Beeing an european-made car, build for european market all its features are
made to fit european standars: Floor switch for automatic gearbox, european
modell of headlights (made by hella and bosch, germany), smaller headlights
original for position it is for turning signals (and side orange lights are
position lights). It was, and it is a garage car. It runs great!. It is the only
in ROMANIA (I think there is a Granada in Bucharest, but never seen it) Still
some improvement are needed: I need in future to change the exterior side
mouldings, witch durring the time has been hit several times, and also need to
buy right side mirror (not necesary electrical).

2. I have bought several catalogs and mentenance books from ebay: can you tell
me for my car: 1980 monarch 5 liter ghia what are the recomended AIR FILTER, OIL
FILTER, OIL ENGINE AND GEARBOX TIPE (with code), to make shure I buy the best
for my car. Is it indicated to add SuperDuraLube engine additive?
Thank you !

[robic58]

Response to Vlad

Re: 1980 Ford-Mercury Monarch ghia 5 liter V8


Hi Vlad-

Thank you for telling this group about your car. It's a nice car and you sure can be proud of it. Also, very glad to hear that it runs good.

From your car's serial #- car identification- the car was indeed built in Sept.1979- but in Wayne, Michigan, USA. DSO- code 90 means it was built for export. So, it was then shipped to Cologne ,Germany for the modifications to meet European standards, such as amber side lights, etc.

It is surprising that there are as many 30 + year old survivors of these Granadas & Monarchs in Europe.Of course a good number were built for senior officials of european embassies.

I'm sure there are more, but I know of two in Denmark, two in France, three in Poland, one in Bergen,Norway,and at least two in England.

The "F" in the serial number indicates its engine is a 302 cubic inch or 5.0 litres. As to engine oil, any good quality grade oil ,from Shell,Fina,BP and other major oil European companies should be fine. A viscosity of 10W30 should be good, I recommend that in this old engine you use refined oil and not synthetic oil. As for filters, you might be better to shop E-Bay, if you can not find locally. Change your oil every 5,000Klms or twice a year at least.

Finding the body side mouldings for doors & fenders is NOT going to be easy. They were very susceptible to damage, and there were relatively few GHIA trim models produced. So, you may have to live with the ones you have. I have a '77 2 door Granada Ghia with scratched and dented side mouldings, have NOT been able to find replacement in 4 yrs. See album #12 & 13 in photos for my Granada.

The mirror should not be a major problem, maybe you take a better, closer picture of the mirror and maybe some one from this group can help you out.

By the way, my name is Ralph Robichaud, I live in Moncton,new Brunswick, Canada , Atlantic Ocean side and I'm old,old,old, and retired. With your permission, I'll forward your note to another Granada,Monarch,Versaille group, they'll be interested in hearing about your car.

Hope you continue to enjoy your classic Monarch.

Cheers, Ralph

[hipogranada]

The Ford-made oil filter is the Motorcraft FL-1A.

Looking at the German eBay site, there is a listing for the Motorcraft FL-1A oil filter:

cgi.ebay.de/Olfilter-Motorcraft-FL-1A-Ford-Mustang-u-a_W0QQitemZ180393876705QQcmdZViewItemQQptZAutoteile_Zubeh%C3%B6r?hash=item2a00501ce1

Rock Auto will ship to Europe, at least according to their website. They will stock most of the maintenance items you might need. Name-brand air filters, for example, are $4.66 (Wix) to $5.49 (Motorcraft). Oil filters - they have a supplier closeout deal on Fram PH8A for $2.66, Motorcraft FL1A is $3.60.

www.rockauto.com

There is a UK parts store that specializes in American cars:

www.americanautoparts.co.uk/home.htm

Probably more. Google may be your best friend.