Autoblog

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.

Gallery: DeTomaso Pantera at SEMA 2007