Here lies the testament to my new Dorchester, my first jump (one small step for man, one giant stretch etc...) into the world of Retro Rides.
So be gentle, please
First off, some piccies:
Bit of an arty shot
Heres the old girl outside Goodwood Race Circuit, after having been admired in the paddock!
As I was turning her around (in a big car park
) I thought I'd take a photo or two in the sunset.
And here is her rear
Stats:
2.8 Carb'ed V6 (145BHP, 159Ft/Lb, I think?)
3 Speed Auto
Handrolic everything (windows, mirrors etc)
Auxiliary Air-Con unit in the boot for rear passengers
24 Inch Stretch (I'm not boasting, honest)
111K on the clock
6 seats (space for a 7th, if I can find one)
Originally Silver Metallic, but has been blown over with Ford Midnight Blue, with Pin-Striped original Silver 'ST' stripes.
History:
Started life as a Mk2 Granada in Feb '84, went into Coleman Milne's factory on the 19th March 1984, and was presented to Poole Council as their new Mayor's Official Transport in June '84.
She then spent her first 16 years of life driving guys in big gold chains around, just like it's bretheren in the 'States but (hopefully) without the pop-a-cap-in-yo-ass' drivebys.
In the sunny summer of 2000, she was sold to Classic Wedding Cars in Yorkshire for a bit of a stint in a new pretty dress taxiing those poor souls who decided to get married.
In 2006, she was sold to a private buyer, who bought it for his stag doo, did the blow over paint job (creating the stripes seen today) but ended up keeping it for 6 months.
Then it came into my hands a week ago, shes driven from Manchester, to Bolton, past Leeds and down to Scunthorpe, then home to Portsmouth, then back up to Fleet (where her temporary home will be for the moment), all without fault.
Notes:
I have an original photo of the old gal at the '84 London Motor Show, sat next to Queen Mum's Granada Shooting Brake on the Coleman Milne stand, and the original detail notes for release to Poole Council, thanks to the guys at Coleman Milne for that! (I'll be uploading them once I've had a chance to scan them in).
I've contacted Poole Council for images, and they have staff checking the archives and previous employees are being contacted for me, so watch this space! They have found the original Mayor's Crest, but unable to give it to me due to it being a licenced member of government's seal. The flagmast on the bonnet looks to have been lost in the space-time continuum.
I've contacted Coleman Milne, and they are on the search for a replacement flagmast and crest holder for me.
I've also contacted some peeps at Ford, so they are rummaging through their parts bins for official vehicle extras, like the flagmast and crest stand.
Hopefully thats covered all of my bases!
So be gentle, please
First off, some piccies:
Bit of an arty shot
Heres the old girl outside Goodwood Race Circuit, after having been admired in the paddock!
As I was turning her around (in a big car park
) I thought I'd take a photo or two in the sunset.And here is her rear
Stats:
2.8 Carb'ed V6 (145BHP, 159Ft/Lb, I think?)
3 Speed Auto
Handrolic everything (windows, mirrors etc)
Auxiliary Air-Con unit in the boot for rear passengers
24 Inch Stretch (I'm not boasting, honest)
111K on the clock
6 seats (space for a 7th, if I can find one)
Originally Silver Metallic, but has been blown over with Ford Midnight Blue, with Pin-Striped original Silver 'ST' stripes.
History:
Started life as a Mk2 Granada in Feb '84, went into Coleman Milne's factory on the 19th March 1984, and was presented to Poole Council as their new Mayor's Official Transport in June '84.
She then spent her first 16 years of life driving guys in big gold chains around, just like it's bretheren in the 'States but (hopefully) without the pop-a-cap-in-yo-ass' drivebys.
In the sunny summer of 2000, she was sold to Classic Wedding Cars in Yorkshire for a bit of a stint in a new pretty dress taxiing those poor souls who decided to get married.
In 2006, she was sold to a private buyer, who bought it for his stag doo, did the blow over paint job (creating the stripes seen today) but ended up keeping it for 6 months.
Then it came into my hands a week ago, shes driven from Manchester, to Bolton, past Leeds and down to Scunthorpe, then home to Portsmouth, then back up to Fleet (where her temporary home will be for the moment), all without fault.
Notes:
I have an original photo of the old gal at the '84 London Motor Show, sat next to Queen Mum's Granada Shooting Brake on the Coleman Milne stand, and the original detail notes for release to Poole Council, thanks to the guys at Coleman Milne for that! (I'll be uploading them once I've had a chance to scan them in).
I've contacted Poole Council for images, and they have staff checking the archives and previous employees are being contacted for me, so watch this space! They have found the original Mayor's Crest, but unable to give it to me due to it being a licenced member of government's seal. The flagmast on the bonnet looks to have been lost in the space-time continuum.
I've contacted Coleman Milne, and they are on the search for a replacement flagmast and crest holder for me.
I've also contacted some peeps at Ford, so they are rummaging through their parts bins for official vehicle extras, like the flagmast and crest stand.
Hopefully thats covered all of my bases!
