A legendary Dodge Challenger known as the “Black Ghost” used by an off-duty cop for illegal street racing in Detroit in the 1970s is about to go up for auction where it is expected to sell for millions.
The Challenger, which is listed on the Library of Congress’ National Historic Vehicle Registry and is on display on Washington’s National Mall, will be offered at the Mecum Spring Classic in May.
Frank Mecum, Vice President of Consignments at Mecum Auctions, said, “This is a once in a lifetime opportunity and is valued well into the seven figures.”
The 1970 Dodge Challenger R/T SE was owned by Motor City police officer and Army veteran Godfrey “Dennis” Qualls.
A legendary Dodge Challenger known as the “Black Ghost” used by an off-duty cop for illegal street racing in Detroit in the 1970s is about to go up for auction where it is expected to sell for millions
Qualls – who served in the 1960s and was awarded a Purple Heart – was notorious for picking the locations he showed up to for the races on Woodward and Telegraph Avenues in Detroit, trying to be as low-key as possible because of his job to stay.
However, he almost always won in the famous muscle car and then quickly drove away.
Qualls’ ability to win races and then drive away before being recognized led to the nickname “Black Ghost”.
The car and its driver left the scene after a few years, its identity and the location of its wheels a hidden secret.
However, in 2014, Qualls told his son Gregory about the car he remembered driving next to him as a boy.
“We would ride,” Gregory told the Detroit Free Press in 2020.
He even played a game with his son, taped a $100 bill to the dashboard before he started and said if the boy could snag it, he could keep it.
The Challenger, which is listed on the Library of Congress’ National Historic Vehicle Registry and is on display on Washington’s National Mall, will be offered at the Mecum Spring Classic in May
The 1970 Dodge Challenger R/T SE was owned by Motor City police officer and Army veteran Godfrey “Dennis” Qualls
Qualls – who served in the 1960s and was awarded a Purple Heart – was notorious for picking the locations he showed up to for the races on Woodward and Telegraph Avenues in Detroit, trying to be as low-key as possible because of his job to stay
“He hit the gas and I flew onto the back of the seat,” he said, laughing. “I never touched that bill.”
The next year, Dennis Qualls died of prostate cancer, leaving the Black Ghost to his son.
Gregory Qualls assembled a group of friends, repaired the vehicle and unveiled it to the rest of the world, with news of its reappearance leading to its spot on the National Vehicle Historic Registry, according to Fox News.
Despite the black exterior, the car’s soft top is actually very colorful, with an alligator skin pattern on the roof.
In honor of the Black Ghost, Dodge produced a limited run of 300 2023 Dodge Challenger SRT Hellcat Redeyes as a tribute.
However, in 2014, Qualls told his son Gregory (pictured center left) about the car he remembered driving next to him as a boy
In honor of the Black Ghost, Dodge produced a limited run of 300 2023 Dodge Challenger SRT Hellcat Redeyes as a tribute
The car is expected to sell for millions at the Mecum auction in Indianapolis in May
Despite the black exterior, the car’s soft top is actually very colorful, with an alligator skin pattern on the roof
The cars are powered by an 807 hp V8 supercharger. While Qualls paid just over $5,000 for the 1970 version, the Tributes will set you back around $100,000.
That can be a steal compared to the seven-figure minimum price that Mecum Auctions could sell the original for.
It will be a showpiece for the famous auctioneer’s event in Indianapolis this May.
Experts say some of the Black Ghost’s parts — the Hemi and 4-speed manual and high-quality survivors — would be worth hundreds of thousands of dollars alone.
The car was left unrestored by Quall’s son at 45,000 miles as he used it primarily to drive to car shows, although he often took his own son, Gregory Jr., on short trips in the Black Ghost to promote the car’s legacy go preserve.