Real-Life story of this evil-looking 1970 Dodge Hemi Challenger R/T SE known as the ‘Black Ghost’
This car used to belong to a Purple Heart-awarded veteran, who became a Detroit cop, bought the car new in 1969 and became a secret street drag racer at night, dominating the Motor City Power scene of the 1970s.
After winning races the black Challenger with Gator Grain roof, and white tail stripe, wouldn’t appear again for weeks and months. Hence it earned the title of ‘Black Ghost’.
And it looks bad-ass.
This 426 Hemi-engined Dodge was shown today at Mecum Kissimmee 2023, dubbed the World’s Largest Collector Car Auctions, as the headlining consignment for Dana Mecum’s 36th Original Spring Classic, to be held 12-20 May at the Indiana State Fairgrounds in Indianapolis.
The Police Officer by day and mystery racer by night, was Godfrey Quallis, who served in the Army’s 82nd Airborne Division. Once he got home, he ordered the car from Raynal Brothers Dodge and took delivery on 5th December of 69.
At night he’d take it out to local hangouts like the famed Woodward Avenue and Telegraph Road and beat all-comers. Six years later in 1975, he disappeared for good and became a mythical legend.
Godgrey himself neither shared his stories, nor told of his victories, but his son Gregory came to learn of his dad’s midnight Mopar escapades from family and friends.
It wasn’t until 2014 that Godfrey took his son to the garage and uncovered the Challenger which he’d kept through the years. Sadly he was struck down by cancer in 2015. On his deathbed, he signed over the car’s papers to son Gregory after owning ‘Black Ghost’ for 46 years!
“We all love a good car story, but this is nothing short of an all-American muscle tale forged in the heart of the Motor City,” Mecum Vice President of Consignments Frank Mecum said.
“When you have the combination of a Purple Heart-awarded military veteran and a unique ’70 Challenger with the mythical street racing of a clandestine Detroit cop, the muscle car, drag racing and Mopar enthusiasts take notice.”
The car earned such a revered place in history and hearts that it became the driving inspiration behind one of Dodge’s most recent special edition Challengers: the 2023 Dodge Challenger Black Ghost. Just 300 of the Redeye Widebody car will be built in total.
The 807bhp special edition delivers an appearance matching the original in all respects, including the black “gator skin” roof vinyl graphics, Challenger script badges and white tail graphics. The Dodge Challenger Black Ghost is the sixth special-edition Dodge “Last Call” model to be announced.
What an amazing story which seems to combine Fast & Furious with Vanishing Point – how has this NOT been made into a movie yet?!
Brown Car Guy 
Neat story
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