Car Model History

First generation · Classic compact 4x4 · 1966–1977

1973Ford Bronco

The original compact, purpose-built off-roader that helped define the rugged-SUV idea — now a prized collectible.

First generation · Classic compact 4x4

1973 Ford Bronco, first-generation compact 4x4 — front three-quarter view

Photo: “UMPG Siegfried Paquet & Italian Diplomat Marco Alberti - Ford Bronco 1973.jpg” by InfoBrunhildmedia / Wikimedia Commons, licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Cropped to 16:9.

Start here

What do you need to know?

This page covers the whole 1973 Ford Bronco model year. Choose your task first; exact trims and engines are separated where the factory offered different versions.

Complete, source-verified lineup

Find your exact 1973 Bronco

Start with a family, body style, or engine. Every card opens the facts and maintenance information for that factory version.

6factory configurations
Verified complete for the U.S.-marketHow this lineup was verified

We checked this U.S.-market lineup against period sources for factory body/series roster and brochure-supported engine/transmission combinations. Every version shown below has its own detail page.

Verified 2026-09-01 from Ford — 1973 Bronco factory brochure.

6versions shown
Two-door short-wheelbase four-wheel-drive wagon

Bronco, 200 cu. in. six, three-speed manual

Body
Two-door short-wheelbase four-wheel-drive wagon
Engine
200 cu. in. inline-six
Gearbox
Three-speed fully synchronized manual
Built
Regular production
Open exact version
Two-door short-wheelbase four-wheel-drive wagon

Bronco, 302 cu. in. V8, three-speed manual

Body
Two-door short-wheelbase four-wheel-drive wagon
Engine
302 cu. in. V8
Gearbox
Three-speed fully synchronized manual
Built
Regular production
Open exact version
Two-door short-wheelbase four-wheel-drive wagon

Bronco, 302 cu. in. V8, SelectShift automatic

Body
Two-door short-wheelbase four-wheel-drive wagon
Engine
302 cu. in. V8
Gearbox
SelectShift Cruise-O-Matic automatic
Built
Regular production
Open exact version
Two-door short-wheelbase four-wheel-drive wagon

Sport Bronco, 200 cu. in. six, three-speed manual

Body
Two-door short-wheelbase four-wheel-drive wagon
Engine
200 cu. in. inline-six
Gearbox
Three-speed fully synchronized manual
Built
Regular production
Open exact version
Two-door short-wheelbase four-wheel-drive wagon

Sport Bronco, 302 cu. in. V8, three-speed manual

Body
Two-door short-wheelbase four-wheel-drive wagon
Engine
302 cu. in. V8
Gearbox
Three-speed fully synchronized manual
Built
Regular production
Open exact version
Two-door short-wheelbase four-wheel-drive wagon

Sport Bronco, 302 cu. in. V8, SelectShift automatic

Body
Two-door short-wheelbase four-wheel-drive wagon
Engine
302 cu. in. V8
Gearbox
SelectShift Cruise-O-Matic automatic
Built
Regular production
Open exact version

The 1973 model year

Overview

For 1973, Ford enlarged the Bronco's standard six to 200 cubic inches and introduced an optional SelectShift Cruise-O-Matic automatic, available only with the optional 302 V8. The enclosed two-door Bronco remained available with Sport equipment, while Ranger was an option package rather than a separate model.

Specifications

Engines
  • 200 cu. in. inline-six
  • 302 cu. in. V8
Transmissions
Three-speed fully synchronized manual, SelectShift Cruise-O-Matic automatic (V8 only)
Body styles
Two-door short-wheelbase four-wheel-drive wagon

Year over year

What changed

  • The standard inline-six grew from 170 to 200 cubic inches.
  • SelectShift Cruise-O-Matic became an optional transmission with the 302 V8; Ford did not offer it with the six.
  • Ranger remained an equipment package added to or substituted for Sport equipment, not a separate powertrain model.

Worth knowing

Notable

  • Ford retained the 92-inch wheelbase and two-speed transfer case.
  • The brochure identifies the automatic as V8-only, preventing an unsupported six-cylinder automatic configuration.

Living with it

Reliability & ownership notes

  • Verify the installed engine and transmission before ordering service parts because first-generation Broncos frequently received later powertrain conversions.
  • Treat Ranger identification as an equipment-package question; surviving trim, upholstery, and exterior pieces may have been replaced.

Maintenance & service parts

Keep your 1973 Bronco on the road

Start with the service interval, then match the engine or exact version you own. Order links appear only when a catalog-backed part number is available, and every listing still needs a fitment check.

Service desk

What this car needs & when

Use this as a service-planning checklist for 1973 Ford Bronco. Start with the interval, confirm which engine or configuration you have, then use an exact ordering reference when one is verified.

Service topics
3
Factory intervals
3
Fitment-scoped
3
Exact references
1

Before orderingIdentify your engine, options and build date.Part numbers and sizes can change within one model year. Shopping links appear only for catalog-backed references; still verify the listing against your vehicle before ordering.

  • Engine oil and filter

    Exact reference available

    Applies to: 1973 · United States · Exact 1973 cadence transcribed from Chilton's period 1973–1974 Bronco table; the source is a secondary compilation acknowledged as based on Ford information.

    Published interval: 4,000 mi / 6,400 km / 4 months · Whichever comes first.

    Source: Chilton — Ford Bronco 1966–81 preventive-maintenance tables (1981 edition) · General Information and Maintenance, printed pages 37–38 — 1973 crankcase oil/filter row · checked

    1973 cataloged Bronco engines

    K&N HP-3001

    Applies to: 1973 · 200 cu. in. inline-six, 302 cu. in. V8 · United States

    Source: K&N — Ford Bronco replacement oil-filter catalog · 1973 Ford Bronco engine application rows — HP-3001 · checked

    Verified ordering references

    • Service replacementK&N HP-3001

      Qty. 1 · Spin-on engine oil filter · catalog-listed

      K&N's manufacturer catalog lists HP-3001 for the 1973 Bronco 200 cu. in. inline-six or 302 cu. in. V8 application. Confirm the installed engine before ordering.

      Catalog: K&N — Ford Bronco replacement oil-filter catalog · 1973 Ford Bronco 200 cu. in. inline-six or 302 cu. in. V8 oil-filter application — HP-3001 · checked

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  • Engine coolant — drain, flush and replace

    Sourced interval available

    Applies to: 1973 · United States · Exact 1973 cadence transcribed from Chilton's period 1973–1974 Bronco table; the source is a secondary compilation acknowledged as based on Ford information.

    Published interval: 24,000 mi / 38,400 km / 24 months · Published 1973–1974 table interval.

    Source: Chilton — Ford Bronco 1966–81 preventive-maintenance tables (1981 edition) · General Information and Maintenance, printed page 38 — 24 months/24,000 miles: change coolant and flush · checked

  • Brake system inspection

    Sourced interval available

    Applies to: 1973 · United States · Exact 1973 cadence transcribed from Chilton's period 1973–1974 Bronco table; the source is a secondary compilation acknowledged as based on Ford information.

    Published interval: 24,000 mi / 38,400 km / 24 months · Published 1973–1974 table interval.

    Source: Chilton — Ford Bronco 1966–81 preventive-maintenance tables (1981 edition) · General Information and Maintenance, printed page 38 — 24 months/24,000 miles: inspect brakes · checked

Collect

Bring this model year home

Find a scale model using the exact year, make, and model—not a generic generation search.

Sources

  1. Ford — 1973 Bronco factory brochure
  2. Ford Motor Company — The Ford Bronco

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