SEMA 2007: DeTomaso Pantera, served shiny and black. Yum
by Jonathon Ramsey on Nov 2nd 2007 at 10:01AM 
click above image to view more high-res live shots of this perfect Pantera
Hi-Lustre had a really black, really shiny 1973 DeTomaso Pantera on display at this year's 2007 SEMA Show in Las Vegas. It's a car that takes us back to wild and wacky days when Bricklins, Bertones and DeLoreans were much more familiar sights on mean Midwestern streets. Panteras were so magical for us that at one point when we did some childhood time in Indiana, we tried to trade our little metal Lamborghini for a friend's little metal Pantera, and he wouldn't do it. We haven't spoken since.
Before there was a heavy metal band with the same name, this car was the panther that made the most noise. We're still not fans of the plastic front bumper, but as for the rest, it's just as pretty as it was 34 years ago, well before the car turned into a cladded monstrosity. And we really think we could raise a family in that engine bay... or at least eat off of it, if nothing else. Of course, this car is another reminder of Ford's regrettable ownership escapades with high-line European automakers, but we're trying to put that behind us. Be sure to check out the gallery of hi-res pics of the Pantera nero.
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Todd 10:26AM (11/02/2007)
Hmmm... could use one of the Clevor stroker motors that dominated Engine Masters a while back before PHR had to screw the rules to make it chevy friendly, should fit right in.
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Wally 10:26AM (11/02/2007)
How do you think that would do with the Pedestrian Safety regulations?
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Hiro11 10:47AM (11/02/2007)
Early Panteras are great looking, but the Mangusta was even better looking as was the similar Maserati Ghibli.
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Alex 10:52AM (11/02/2007)
enough already with the useless EFFIN cosmetic crap!!
SEMA is crap, and you have infested 3 days worth of Autoblog on it!!!
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pd 11:11AM (11/02/2007)
Screw the pedrestrian safety regulations. If we didn't have stupid people walking into traffic we woudn't have these idiotic(euro) laws. One of my fav all-time cars, timeless.
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Dad 11:03AM (11/02/2007)
The Pantera is one of those classic and timeless designs. Just like the Ford GT40, it will never go out of style.
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why not the LS2/LS7? 11:45AM (11/02/2007)
This is one of the big nose versions. No so great.
Also, those rims are a crime. And the CF around the fuel filler port? The car is too old to have CF accents.
There used to be a white one at work with a fuel injected Cleveland. There was also a yellow one once in a while.
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geo.stewart 12:08PM (11/02/2007)
rims are a knock of the original. kudos for keeping it real.
there is no CF around the filler, that's the original panel painted their 'hi-luster' black
its hard to find one thats not a big nose, but I agree that the nose detracted from the unblemished original.
Luis 12:48PM (11/02/2007)
Beautiful. Period. This and the Countach were the best back inthe day.
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That One Person 5:20PM (11/03/2007)
If I remember correctly, Ford didn't own DeTomaso. They just sold Ford engines to them and agreed to let DeTomaso to sell their vehicles through Ford dealers.
Either way, I have heard stories (not sure if they were true) of people panning these cars (and even Ford) but fast forward to present time and these things are collector items (look at the Edsel).
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