The legendary 1970 Dodge Challenger, previously owned by a police officer, has cemented its reputation in the drag racing scene and has recently showcased its value at an auction.
The iconic 1970 Dodge Challenger R/T SE, widely recognized as the Black Ghost, has been acquired at auction for an extraordinary $1,072,500. In a mere nine minutes, the gavel fell at the Mecum Indy auction, signifying the passing of ownership to a fortunate individual. This legendary vehicle, which inspired one of Dodge’s Last Call special edition models, has now found its esteemed and privileged new guardian.
Despite falling just short of the projected million-dollar mark, the final bid of $975,000, including Mecum’s 10% buyer’s premium, officially pushed the sale into seven-figure territory. At first glance, one might consider the Black Ghost to be an ordinary classic American muscle car, but it was far from ordinary. With its legendary status extending beyond the era it originated from, the Black Ghost commanded an impressive sum of money.
Dubbed the “Black Ghost,” the car earned its moniker by participating in illicit drag races along Detroit’s Woodward Avenue. It would emerge victorious, only to vanish for extended periods before reappearing to assert its dominance once again. The car’s enigmatic driver and its elusive presence during any other public appearances solidified its reputation as the “Black Ghost,” aptly named for its remarkable ability to vanish without a trace.
As it happens, there was a good reason for that—Detroit police officer Godfrey Qualls was the owner and driver of the vehicle, and had his superiors discovered his after-hours escapades, he would have likely faced termination.
After Qualls’ passing in 2015, ownership of the Black Ghost was passed down to his son, Greg. In recent times, as the car’s extraordinary history resurfaced, it secured a coveted position in the National Historic Vehicle Register at the Library of Congress. Greg diligently restored the vehicle, cherishing its distinctive marks and flaws as a testament to its storied past. Displaying the Black Ghost at automotive exhibitions unearthed additional anecdotes about its notorious reputation from yesteryears.
