There is a special kind of magic in the moment a cover comes off a car that has been hidden for decades. Nobody knows what color the paint will be, how the chrome will look or whether the tires will still hold air. The team behind @ros.lenard captured exactly that moment with a Ford Granada Mk1 3.0 Ghia, and the first part of the story has already drawn nearly half a million plays.
The caption promises the Granada sees daylight for the first time in decades, and the reaction on camera backs it up. Here is what happened when the cover came off, and why a car like this is such a treat for enthusiasts.
@ros.lenard
Guess what is under the cover
The video starts like a game. The host invites everyone to type their guesses in the comments: what do we have tucked under here? Then the person doing the big reveal gets the go ahead. The group says it is genuine and honest, and that the car has not been out of that garage for a very long time. They plan to check the tax disc holder, the little window sticker that used to show when a British car’s road tax expired, because it will tell them how long the car has been inside.
One of the men says his heart is pounding. When the cover comes off, he says it looks solid, and he cannot wait to take a proper look. The team agrees this car has been in the garage for about forty years and has not turned a wheel in that time.
A time capsule in the trunk
They open the boot, which is what British drivers call the trunk, and the surprises keep coming. Inside they find old newspapers, including a copy of the Daily Express. The host jokes that it is a new one, because they normally find a different paper in cars like this. Someone mentions they have been doing this kind of work since 1980. Under all the papers, the spare wheel sits with its tire still in place.
The team says the tire is an original Michelin that has never been used. That leads to the line that sums it up: this is right for a concours restoration, which is a polished show quality standard. One of the men says the car is not going to need much, and he is amazed at how solid it is.
Inside and underneath
They look inside the car and take the big blankets off the seats. The driver’s door is stubborn, and one of them jokes that you have to bang them shut. The car has a three litre engine and an automatic transmission. The tires are flat, which the team says is to be expected after so many years, and they plan to bring a pump. Someone notices a chrome tip on the tailpipe, and another points out that the car barely fits in the garage, with a shelf that was built above it.
There are a few signs of age. They see some dust on the hood, which in Britain is called the bonnet, and a little woodworm on a wooden bench in the garage. The group agrees that a quick wash will bring the shine back. When asked whether the whole garage is being cleared out, a family member explains that the car is the only thing leaving. The owner and family are there, and the host says he will chat later about how they came across the car.
The plan for getting the Granada out is practical. They will put fresh petrol in it first and pull the spark plugs out, a classic step before trying to start an engine that has been asleep for decades.
About the Granada
The Ford Granada was a big, comfortable car built by Ford of Europe in the 1970s as a rival to larger saloons from other makers. The Mk1 was sold in the first half of the decade, and the Ghia was the luxury trim, with plusher seats, extra chrome and more equipment. The three litre version used a V6 engine and was among the more desirable models. Because so many Granadas were used hard and then scrapped, a low mileage, well preserved example is rare today, which explains why the team was so thrilled.
How to wake up a car that has slept for decades
The crew’s plan of removing the plugs and adding fresh fuel is a smart start. Here are the usual steps experts follow with a car that has been stored a long time.
- Turn the engine by hand. With the spark plugs out, turn it over slowly to make sure it moves freely. Adding a little oil to each cylinder helps.
- Change the oil and filter. Old oil can be thick or contaminated.
- Clean the fuel system. Old petrol goes bad. Drain the tank and replace filters, and inspect the lines and carburetor.
- Check the cooling system. Flush old coolant and look for leaks and perished hoses.
- Inspect the brakes. Fluid absorbs moisture over time and parts can seize.
- Replace perishables. Belts, hoses and tires should all be replaced before regular driving.
- Keep a fire extinguisher nearby. This is a sensible precaution when starting an old engine for the first time.
This is only the first part of the story, and the caption makes clear more is coming. Whether you love British classics or simply enjoy a good barn find, this reveal is a reminder that time capsules still exist, tucked away in garages, waiting for someone to pull back the cover.