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The historic 1970 Dodge “Black Ghost” Challenger will be headlining the Mecum 36th Original Spring Classic in Indianapolis, Indiana in May. The vehicle became legendary back in the 1970s when it would mysteriously appear late at night and drag race on the streets of metro Detroit. The legendary HEMI-powered vehicle was added to the National Historic Vehicle Register in 2020, for its racing significance.
1970 Dodge HEMI Challenger R/T SE
According to the Mecum post,
“Godfrey Qualls, a Detroit police officer by day and mysterious street drag racer by night, dominated the Motor City power scene with his black 1970 Dodge Hemi Challenger R/T SE adorned with the “Gator Grain” roof treatment and white tail stripe, and powered by the 426 Hemi engine. After serving in the Army’s 82nd Airborne Division, Godfrey ordered the car new at Raynal Brothers Dodge in Detroit, with it arriving on December 5, 1969. He put it to good use, rumbling to local hangouts, including the famed Woodward Avenue and Telegraph Road, ready to trounce any contender. With a win secured, the pair would then disappear into the darkness for weeks and months at a time. The vanishing of Qualls’ triumphant Dodge Challenger earned it the nickname “Black Ghost.”
Apparently, Qualls kept his escapades quiet, concerned that he could lose his job as a police officer if he got caught racing. In 2015, when he was dying of cancer, Qualls signed the Challenger over to his son Gregory.
“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.”
Dodge Recreating the Infamous “Black Ghost” as a “Last Call’ Edition
Dodge was so impressed with the legendary “Black Ghost” that it is reimagining the vehicle as its sixth ‘Last Call’ special-edition. Only 300 of the 2023 Challenger Black Ghost ‘Last Call’ models will be produced. The 2023 Dodge Challenger Black Ghost boosts the Challenger SRT Hellcat Redeye Widebody to 807 horsepower, nearly double the original “Black Ghost’s” horsepower.
“There are so many legendary muscle cars in Dodge brand history, it was hard to choose the seven vehicles we wanted to pay homage to with our Last Call lineup, but the Black Ghost was an easy pick,” said Tim Kuniskis, Dodge brand chief executive officer – Stellantis. “The 2023 Dodge Challenger Black Ghost is the prelude to what we’re going to unveil with our seventh and final special-edition model.”
2023 Dodge Challenger Black Ghost Special Edition Features:
- Matches the original in all respects including the black “gator skin” roof vinyl graphics
- Challenger script badges and white tail graphics
- Challenger grille script, fender and spoiler badges
- Midnight Metallic SRT grille badge, along with white rear fender graphics
- Black Ghost instrument panel badge
- Alcantara steering wheel with red SRT logo
- 20-by-11-inch Satin Carbon Warp Speed wheels
How You Can Bid on the 1970 Dodge Challenger R/T SE "Black Ghost"
The legendary 1970 Dodge Hemi Challenger R/T SE, known as the “Black Ghost” will be the headlining consignment for Mecum’s 36th Original Spring Classic, which will be held this May 12-20, 2023 at the Indiana State Fairgrounds in Indianapolis. For more information or to register to bid, go to Mecum.com.
Historic Vehicle Register Photo
Dodge Photo
Mary Conway is a professional automotive journalist and has decades of experience specializing in automotive news analysis. She covered the Detroit Three for more than twenty years for the ABC affiliate, in Detroit. Her affection for the Motor City comes naturally. Her father ran a gas station while Mary was growing up, in Wisconsin.
Follow Mary Conway at @maryconwaymedia and send her car news tips for future stories.
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