1973 Ford Ranchero

Performance utility powered by 1973 Ford Ranchero engine family.

Exact-year Ranchero 500 retained as the family baseline for the coupe-utility body, grille, quad lamps, impact bumper, glass, cargo box, trim, and stance; wheels, tires, finish, and condition remain car-specific.

Body Three-passenger coupe utility on a 118-inch wheelbase

Models Ranchero 500, GT, and Squire

Engines 250 six through 429 four-barrel V8

Chassis Independent front coils, four-link rear coils, front discs, rear drums

Production 45,741 reported across 500, GT, and Squire

Story

1973 Ford Ranchero

The 1973 Ranchero family combined two-door three-passenger coupe utility with 6.5-foot cargo box on a 118-inch wheelbase with Ranchero 500, Ranchero GT, Ranchero Squire configurations. This page keeps those factory choices together without treating an engine, stripe, badge, or trim package as a separate car identity.

Engines and transmissions

The exact-year brochure establishes six displacement and induction paths but does not print one complete SAE-net output, engine-code, emissions, transmission, and axle matrix. Engine and warranty-label codes, castings, induction, controls, emissions hardware, dates, and contemporaneous records control one car. Transmission, induction, cooling, exhaust, axle, emissions equipment, and dates must match the selected engine path.

Chassis and brakes

The body rode on isolated mounts above a perimeter frame. Independent front coils and a four-link, coil-sprung live rear axle supported the 1,250-pound people-and-payload rating; brakes, spring rates, stabilizers, steering, wheels, tires, and towing equipment varied by powertrain and package. Brake, steering, spring, damper, axle, ratio, wheel, and tire equipment varied by configuration and must be reconciled to factory and car-specific records.

Body, trim, and proof

Start with VIN or serial, body tag, title, shell, and ownership history. Then reconcile drivetrain, chassis, protected finish, cabin, trim, dates, and records. Replaceable badges, stripes, wheels, or a swapped engine cannot establish factory configuration.

**Exact-year stock-presenting Ranchero retained for its 1973 nose, impact bumper, grille, quad lamps, hood, windshield, and roof context; street setting and condition remain subject-specific.**Sergey Kurkin via Wikimedia Commons · CC0

Specs

Car type: Performance utility
Seats: 3
Body: Two-door three-passenger coupe utility with 6.5-foot cargo box on a 118-inch wheelbase
Engine: 1973 Ford Ranchero engine family
Horsepower: Configuration-specific SAE-net rating across six factory engine paths; no blended family output
Torque: Configuration-specific factory rating follows engine, induction, emissions equipment, and transmission
Carburetion: One-barrel 250 six, two-barrel 302/351/400 V8, or four-barrel 351/429 V8 by application

Equipment

Ranchero 500, GT, and Squire trim paths
Six factory engine choices through 429 four-barrel
351 four-barrel four-speed with Hurst shifter
Standard front discs and optional power assist
6.5-foot double-wall cargo box and 1,250-pound people-and-payload rating

Linked Parts

Price history

Values

Nominal dollars from original price sheets, auction archives, and approved value references.

Original Price

Base MSRP $3,231

Ranchero GT (1973)
Secondary reported original MSRP before destination, taxes, license, powertrain, options, accessories, and dealer services.
1973 Ford Ranchero GT original MSRP and values

Values move with paperwork, originality, options, condition, venue, and body style. High bids and guide values are labeled separately from completed sales.

Reference records

Options, Colors & Components

Source-backed details for trim, chassis, production, and authenticity.

Engine Details

250 inline-six 250 cu in; 3.68 x 3.91-inch bore and stroke; one-barrel induction · Standard Ranchero 500 and Squire engine · engine assembly / specification
302 two-barrel V8 302 cu in; 4.00 x 3.00-inch bore and stroke; two-barrel induction · Standard Ranchero GT engine and optional 500/Squire path · engine assembly / specification
351 two-barrel V8 351 cu in; 4.00 x 3.50-inch bore and stroke; two-barrel induction · Optional V8 path requiring SelectShift · engine assembly / specification
351 four-barrel V8 351 cu in; 4.00 x 3.50-inch bore and stroke; four-barrel induction · Optional performance path with four-speed or SelectShift · engine assembly / specification
400 two-barrel V8 400 cu in; 4.00 x 4.00-inch bore and stroke; two-barrel induction · Optional V8 path requiring SelectShift · engine assembly / specification
429 four-barrel V8 429 cu in; 4.36 x 3.59-inch bore and stroke; four-barrel induction · Top optional V8 path requiring SelectShift · engine assembly / specification

Transmission

Factory transmission Three-speed manual with 250 or 302 applications
Factory transmission Fully synchronized four-speed manual with Hurst floor shifter and 351 four-barrel
Factory transmission SelectShift Cruise-O-Matic automatic; required with 351 two-barrel, 400, and 429

Options

Engines and Induction summarized from reviewed factory and marque references.Classic Muscle · Reference illustration

GT Ranchero GT factory · performance · GT stripe, grille crest, mirrors, wheel and tire treatment, cabin trim, engine, chassis, and records must agree.
SQUIRE Ranchero Squire factory · appearance · Woodgrain sides and tailgate, scripts, crest, wheel covers, clock, woodtone panel, cabin trim, and records define the configuration.
351-4V 351 four-barrel V8 factory · performance · Engine code, induction, emissions equipment, cooling, exhaust, transmission, axle, dates, and records must agree.
FOUR-SPEED Four-speed manual with Hurst floor shifter factory · performance · Factory material limits this gearbox to the 351 four-barrel; clutch, pedals, floor, shifter, axle, and records must agree.
SELECTSHIFT SelectShift Cruise-O-Matic factory · comfort · Required with 351 two-barrel, 400, and 429; case, converter, selector, cooling, axle, dates, and records must agree.
POWER-DISC Power front disc brakes factory · safety · Booster, master cylinder, front discs, engine-specific rear drums, hydraulics, wheels, dates, and records define one installation.
HANDLING Handling package factory · performance · Limited to 351 four-barrel and 429 applications; springs, dampers, stabilizer bars, steering, tires, dates, and records must agree.
TRAILER-II Class II trailer towing package factory · chassis · Cooling, suspension, axle, hitch, wiring, load rating, powertrain, and records define one package.
TRAILER-III Class III trailer towing package factory · chassis · The brochure cites a 3,500-6,000-pound class; car-specific powertrain, axle, cooling, hitch, wiring, and records remain controlling.
BUCKET-SEATS High-back vinyl bucket seats factory · comfort · Seat frames, upholstery, floor reinforcement, controls, trim code, and order evidence must agree.
INSTRUMENT-GROUP GT-style instrument group factory · performance · Tachometer, trip odometer, clock, ammeter, temperature and oil-pressure gauges, wiring, panel, and records must agree.
VINYL-ROOF Black or white vinyl roof factory · appearance · Roof code, seams, moldings, protected paint, body condition, trim pairing, and records must agree.

Paint

**Exact-year Ranchero retained for front three-quarter body, grille, lamps, bumper, hood, roof, cargo-box, and trim context; wear, grille emblem, mirrors, wheels, and current condition are car-specific.**GPS 56 via Wikimedia Commons · CC BY 2.0

9A White factory · solid
2B Bright Red factory · solid
3B Light Blue factory · solid
3D Medium Blue Metallic factory · metallic
3K Blue Glow factory · metallic
4C Ivy Glow factory · metallic
4Q Dark Green Metallic factory · metallic
4P Medium Green Metallic factory · metallic
4S Light Green factory · solid
4B Bright Green Gold Metallic factory · metallic
5A Light Pewter Metallic factory · metallic
5H Medium Brown Metallic factory · metallic
5L Tan factory · solid
5M Medium Copper Metallic factory · metallic
6E Medium Bright Yellow factory · solid
6F Gold Glow factory · metallic

Production

Transmissions summarized from reviewed factory and marque references.Classic Muscle · Reference illustration

1973 Ford Ranchero family total · 45,741 · reported
Ranchero 500 by option · 25,634 · reported
Ranchero GT by option · 15,320 · reported
Ranchero Squire by option · 4,787 · reported

Authenticity

Rear Axle and Ratios summarized from reviewed factory and marque references.Classic Muscle · Reference illustration

VIN, warranty label, body, and ownership identity 1973 Ford VIN and warranty label with Ranchero body, engine, plant, sequence, title, shell, and ownership history that agree · Instrument-panel VIN, driver-door warranty label, title, frame/body derivatives where applicable, cab and cargo-box structure, build evidence, and ownership records · fraud detection
Engine, induction, emissions, transmission, and axle Warranty-label- and date-supported 250, 302, 351-2V, 351-4V, 400, or 429 path reconciled to induction, controls, emissions hardware, permitted gearbox, axle, cooling, exhaust, dates, and records · Warranty label, engine code and castings, carburetor, intake, controls, emissions labels and hardware, clutch or converter, gearbox, selector, axle, cooling, exhaust, dates, and records · numbers matching
Frame, suspension, steering, brakes, wheels, and tires Perimeter frame, body mounts, independent front coils, four-link rear coils, correct drums, front discs and assist, steering, springs, stabilizers, wheels, and tires for the ordered powertrain and package · Frame, mounts, arms, strut rods, links, coils, dampers, stabilizers, steering gear, brake hydraulics, discs, drums, wheels, tires, dates, and service records · date correctness
500, GT, or Squire trim and exterior finish Warranty-label- and record-supported model, paint, GT stripe or Squire woodgrain, roof, grille crest, scripts, mirrors, wheel treatment, and dated body hardware · Warranty label, protected paint and stripe edges, roof seams, woodgrain edges, grille and fender mounting, mirrors, wheels, cargo box, tailgate, invoice, and build evidence · trim correctness
Cabin, cargo equipment, options, and dates Trim-code-supported seat, upholstery, door panels, instruments, steering wheel, controls, spare/tool cover, cargo equipment, towing hardware, wiring, and dated components · Warranty label, protected upholstery, seat frames, floor, instrument panel, steering column, door panels, cargo box, tie-downs, hitch and wiring, invoice, build sheet, and dated parts · date correctness

Still Researching

production The reported 25,634 500, 15,320 GT, and 4,787 Squire rows reconcile to 45,741 but do not resolve engine, transmission, axle, brake, paint, trim, roof, option, plant, date, export, or survivor intersections.
engine The factory brochure establishes six displacement, bore/stroke, and induction paths but not a complete final SAE-net output, torque, engine-code, emissions, transmission, axle, plant, and effective-date matrix.
rear axle Reviewed factory material establishes an application-matched live axle but does not resolve every housing, ratio, traction-assist, towing, handling, tire, engine, transmission, plant, and date combination.
paint colors The factory guide resolves 16 Ranchero colors, broad cabin combinations, GT stripe pairings, and vinyl roofs but not every special-order, supplier, repair, plant, and running-date intersection.
interior The factory matrix establishes seat types, trim colors, and model combinations but not every material revision, supplier, option intersection, plant, and running change.
authenticity markers Public model-year references cannot establish one survivor's born-with body, engine, transmission, axle, chassis, model trim, finish, cabin, options, dates, or ownership history.