Verifying the authenticity of some classics can be more complicated than for others, especially if some of the distinctive features that define a specific model appear to be missing. Such is the case with this 1973 Ford Bronco. The owner claims that it is a rare Explorer model, and that is a claim that deserves some investigation. Even if it isn’t an Explorer, the First Generation Bronco remains one of the staples of the classic car scene. That makes his decision to offer it for sale with No Reserve enough to spark plenty of interest. The Bronco is located in Duluth, Minnesota, and is listed for sale here on eBay. The bidding has been nothing short of frantic and has pushed the price to $33,500 in this No Reserve auction.

The first thing to note about this Bronco is its paint color. The vehicle is finished in Grabber Blue, and this appears to be original. That is one piece of the puzzle that might confirm this Bronco’s authenticity as a genuine Explorer. Ford only offered this shade and Burnt Orange in the Explorer variants, although I suspect that somebody “in the know” may have been able to order either shade on a regular Bronco. If this isn’t a special order, that’s a positive start for potential detectives. The Explorer also featured a distinctive spare wheel cover, but that is missing from this vehicle. Once we look beyond that and consider this classic as an overall package, there’s a lot to like. It is refreshing to find a Bronco of this vintage that hasn’t been cut to accommodate larger wheels and tires. That is a common occurrence, but this one’s originality in that area removes one potential task from the restoration list. There are dings and dents for the buyer to tackle, but there’s little in the way of external rust that will require their attention. The seller admits that a previous owner has replaced the floors with flat steel, but he emphasizes that the work quality is good. Be that as it may, the process may need to be repeated with the correct parts for this vehicle to achieve its full potential. There is the usual rust in both front inner fenders, but it is nowhere near as bad as I’ve seen in other examples. Therefore, addressing that issue will be easy and inexpensive. The original chrome rear bumper is intact, but someone has replaced the front. The remaining trim looks surprisingly good, and I can’t spot any problems with the glass.

Ford offered a couple of engine and transmission combinations in the 1973 Bronco, and the original owner ordered this one with the venerable 302ci V8 and a three-speed C4 automatic transmission. A dual-range transfer case helps this classic delve deep into the great outdoors, while power steering and power front disc brakes remove the physical effort from the driving experience. With 137hp and 230 ft/lbs of torque available under the right foot, this Bronco should be a lively performer. While the 18.9-second ¼-mile ET may not place it in muscle car territory, that figure remains impressive for a vehicle of this age and type. When the seller purchased the vehicle, it had been parked in a shed for twenty years. The previous owner had rebuilt the engine and transmission and also installed an aluminum radiator. When the seller worked through reviving this off-roader, he installed a new brake booster and front discs. It appears that it didn’t need much else, and this baby is now fully roadworthy. The seller says that it runs and drives perfectly, with the transmission shifting smoothly. He admits that the suspension sports a 2½” lift kit, but the buyer could remove this if they crave complete originality.

We’ve now reached the point where things become murky with this Bronco. The interior is where most of the Explorer’s distinctive features are usually found, which has me struggling. There is usually an Explorer badge on the glovebox door, but there’s no evidence in the supplied photos that there has ever been one in this case. The correct door trims with the faux-woodgrain inserts are present, but the seats confuse things further. I understand that part of the Explorer pack included seat upholstery in a “random stripe” pattern cloth and vinyl. In the case of a Bronco wearing Grabber Blue paint, this upholstery features dark blue vinyl with tri-tone blue cloth inserts. These seats wear regular dark blue vinyl, which may not be correct in this case. The owner admits that the seats need new covers and foam, providing an ideal opportunity to right this wrong. I’ve spent some time performing an online search, but I’ve only found one supplier who stocks the correct covers. Unfortunately, he doesn’t list a price. The buyer will probably choose to restore or replace the cracked wheel, but the dash pad looks good, and the mats are a recent fitment by the current owner.

I’ll be pretty interested to read the feedback provided by our Barn Finders on this 1973 Bronco and whether they believe that it is a genuine Explorer. The simple fact is that Ford produced a mere 21,894 examples of the Bronco in the 1973 model year, making them a relatively rare beast in their own right. If someone can confirm this is the real deal, that takes that rarity to a higher level. Fully restored, this Ford should be capable of commanding a value north of $50,000 with ease. If the next owner completes the restoration to a high standard, that figure could easily push beyond $80,000. It seems that plenty of people like what they see because this classic has already attracted an incredible seventy-four bids at the time of writing. From what you’ve seen, there are really two questions that you need to ask yourself. The first is whether you believe that this Bronco is a genuine Explorer. The second and more important is whether you are willing to join the bidding war. I will be interested to read your answers.