What happened to Ghia badged Fords?
Discussion
LuS1fer said:
Ford used to have a really logical and understandable model structure which varied over the years but was still obvious:
L, XL, GT, GXL (Capris had XLR too)
Popular, Popular Plus, L, GL, GT, Ghia, Ghia X (may have had a GLS for the Cortina too, memory fades though the Cortina 2000E preceded the Ghia when trying to recapture the glory of the 1600E). Granada also got confusing with Scorpio and Cosworth.
Unfortunately, Ghia became synonymous with velour and wood which went out of fashion. Recently, when looking at Fiestas of 2003-ish vintage, it was obvious that the Ghia was pandering to OAPs with puffy velour sacks and head restraints. To be honest, the printed fabrics of the lesser models were far better.
On buying a Mondeo in 2009, I had to learn all the model variants as it was no longer obvious - Edge, Zetec, Zetec S for Fiestas, Titanium, Titanium X - all totally meaningless except for the stronger ST and RS - simple and effective.
There was also a GLX spec. I remember my parents having a Sierra Saphire in Saphire metallic blue with a sunroof and electric windows in the front. L, XL, GT, GXL (Capris had XLR too)
Popular, Popular Plus, L, GL, GT, Ghia, Ghia X (may have had a GLS for the Cortina too, memory fades though the Cortina 2000E preceded the Ghia when trying to recapture the glory of the 1600E). Granada also got confusing with Scorpio and Cosworth.
Unfortunately, Ghia became synonymous with velour and wood which went out of fashion. Recently, when looking at Fiestas of 2003-ish vintage, it was obvious that the Ghia was pandering to OAPs with puffy velour sacks and head restraints. To be honest, the printed fabrics of the lesser models were far better.
On buying a Mondeo in 2009, I had to learn all the model variants as it was no longer obvious - Edge, Zetec, Zetec S for Fiestas, Titanium, Titanium X - all totally meaningless except for the stronger ST and RS - simple and effective.
sherman said:
LuS1fer said:
Ford used to have a really logical and understandable model structure which varied over the years but was still obvious:
L, XL, GT, GXL (Capris had XLR too)
Popular, Popular Plus, L, GL, GT, Ghia, Ghia X (may have had a GLS for the Cortina too, memory fades though the Cortina 2000E preceded the Ghia when trying to recapture the glory of the 1600E). Granada also got confusing with Scorpio and Cosworth.
Unfortunately, Ghia became synonymous with velour and wood which went out of fashion. Recently, when looking at Fiestas of 2003-ish vintage, it was obvious that the Ghia was pandering to OAPs with puffy velour sacks and head restraints. To be honest, the printed fabrics of the lesser models were far better.
On buying a Mondeo in 2009, I had to learn all the model variants as it was no longer obvious - Edge, Zetec, Zetec S for Fiestas, Titanium, Titanium X - all totally meaningless except for the stronger ST and RS - simple and effective.
There was also a GLX spec. I remember my parents having a Sierra Saphire in Saphire metallic blue with a sunroof and electric windows in the front. L, XL, GT, GXL (Capris had XLR too)
Popular, Popular Plus, L, GL, GT, Ghia, Ghia X (may have had a GLS for the Cortina too, memory fades though the Cortina 2000E preceded the Ghia when trying to recapture the glory of the 1600E). Granada also got confusing with Scorpio and Cosworth.
Unfortunately, Ghia became synonymous with velour and wood which went out of fashion. Recently, when looking at Fiestas of 2003-ish vintage, it was obvious that the Ghia was pandering to OAPs with puffy velour sacks and head restraints. To be honest, the printed fabrics of the lesser models were far better.
On buying a Mondeo in 2009, I had to learn all the model variants as it was no longer obvious - Edge, Zetec, Zetec S for Fiestas, Titanium, Titanium X - all totally meaningless except for the stronger ST and RS - simple and effective.
CampDavid said:
fathomfive said:
The Sierra also had GLSi, in 2wd and 4wd variants IIRC, a kind of cut-price XR4i / XR4x4.
The GLS was just badges as a GLS, not a GLSi and had a 2.0i lump. My uncle used to have them, they were fairly quick for their timeMum's fiesta is a ghia and comes with everything think the ghia badge got removed in about 2009/10 on the current mondeo as everyone went for the more sporty titanium option.
Its probably an excuse to rise prices to be honest dads new company car is a focus 1.6 diesel but because its a titanium x it retails for circa 22k :0
Its probably an excuse to rise prices to be honest dads new company car is a focus 1.6 diesel but because its a titanium x it retails for circa 22k :0
Anyone remember the early Mk2 Granada-Ghia Sapphire from around 1979 / 80 - had 2.8i engine, metric TRX 390 alloys, 2-tone blue and silver, think probably had leather too. Ford did some other limited edition Granada Ghia-based models for when the Ghia just wasnt enough. Granada Ghia Chasseur estate with roof-rails in 2-tone brown.
My Cortina 2000S is long gone, TSE 777R.
My Cortina 2000S is long gone, TSE 777R.
greggy50 said:
Mum's fiesta is a ghia and comes with everything think the ghia badge got removed in about 2009/10 on the current mondeo as everyone went for the more sporty titanium option.
Its probably an excuse to rise prices to be honest dads new company car is a focus 1.6 diesel but because its a titanium x it retails for circa 22k :0
Titanium X is one model above the Titanium, or an option pack for the Titanium, I think Its probably an excuse to rise prices to be honest dads new company car is a focus 1.6 diesel but because its a titanium x it retails for circa 22k :0
. So £22k for a Focus in that spec is probably about right these days.To people of a certain age, Ghia has magical properties, the promise of head restraint pads, velour, electric windows.
I will never forget as a kid on 10 sitting in a Strato Silver new MKIII Escort Ghia. Must have been 1980.
Then maybe 2 years later, the last word in luxury and almost sci-fi hi-tech design. The Sierra Ghia, rear head restraints smooth front end, aerodynamic wheel covers. And my uncle told me it was just a Cortina in a "jelly mold" body. Yeah right.....
I can see why the badge has gone. Perhaps its only resting.
I will never forget as a kid on 10 sitting in a Strato Silver new MKIII Escort Ghia. Must have been 1980.
Then maybe 2 years later, the last word in luxury and almost sci-fi hi-tech design. The Sierra Ghia, rear head restraints smooth front end, aerodynamic wheel covers. And my uncle told me it was just a Cortina in a "jelly mold" body. Yeah right.....
I can see why the badge has gone. Perhaps its only resting.
wildcat45 said:
To people of a certain age, Ghia has magical properties, the promise of head restraint pads, velour, electric windows.
I will never forget as a kid on 10 sitting in a Strato Silver new MKIII Escort Ghia. Must have been 1980.
Then maybe 2 years later, the last word in luxury and almost sci-fi hi-tech design. The Sierra Ghia, rear head restraints smooth front end, aerodynamic wheel covers. And my uncle told me it was just a Cortina in a "jelly mold" body. Yeah right.....
I can see why the badge has gone. Perhaps its only resting.
I had a mk3 escort ghia 1.6 auto 1984 in strato silver with blue velour interior and teak - was comfy!I will never forget as a kid on 10 sitting in a Strato Silver new MKIII Escort Ghia. Must have been 1980.
Then maybe 2 years later, the last word in luxury and almost sci-fi hi-tech design. The Sierra Ghia, rear head restraints smooth front end, aerodynamic wheel covers. And my uncle told me it was just a Cortina in a "jelly mold" body. Yeah right.....
I can see why the badge has gone. Perhaps its only resting.
My mum and dad both had new fords every other year for the past 29 years ive been born and had capris and cortinas etc before i was born, so it was natural progression for me to get into fords. I've had over 20 fords in 11 years of driving and no i didnt write any off.
I love fords but i honestly feel they've lost it in some ways, its just not the same as the 80s and 90s. Look at the new ford focus, the titanium looks boring and just the same as the bottom of the range one, whatever thats called now. I used to be able to name every model every colour even at the young age of about 8 but these days i have no interest. You would be able to tell a escort mk6 ghia coming along because of the chrome grill, a si would have honeycomb grill, a ghia x would have the chrome grill and front foglights. Not like that these days.
Old fords in the 90s. xr2i fiesta, rs18000, fiesta si's , alll cars that myself and mates spent many a night in cruising around lol. Whats the modern day equivalant, a fiesta zetec s, sorry but imo its not got the same feeling.
Maybe i just cant accept growing up and change lol.
I love fords but i honestly feel they've lost it in some ways, its just not the same as the 80s and 90s. Look at the new ford focus, the titanium looks boring and just the same as the bottom of the range one, whatever thats called now. I used to be able to name every model every colour even at the young age of about 8 but these days i have no interest. You would be able to tell a escort mk6 ghia coming along because of the chrome grill, a si would have honeycomb grill, a ghia x would have the chrome grill and front foglights. Not like that these days.
Old fords in the 90s. xr2i fiesta, rs18000, fiesta si's , alll cars that myself and mates spent many a night in cruising around lol. Whats the modern day equivalant, a fiesta zetec s, sorry but imo its not got the same feeling.
Maybe i just cant accept growing up and change lol.
CapriV6S said:
Anyone remember the early Mk2 Granada-Ghia Sapphire from around 1979 / 80 - had 2.8i engine, metric TRX 390 alloys, 2-tone blue and silver, think probably had leather too. Ford did some other limited edition Granada Ghia-based models for when the Ghia just wasnt enough. Granada Ghia Chasseur estate with roof-rails in 2-tone brown.
My Cortina 2000S is long gone, TSE 777R.
And if that wasn't enough there was a Ghia X Executive!My Cortina 2000S is long gone, TSE 777R.
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