The legendary 1970 Dodge Challenger R/T SE known as the “Black Ghost” sold for $1.07 million at a Mecum auction in Indianapolis in 2023.
The car that rose to prominence on the Detroit street racing scene was originally owned by Godfrey Qualls who bequeathed it to his son Gregory in 2015. It has been part of the National Register of Historic Vehicles since 2020.
1970 Dodge Challenger R/T SE “Black Ghost”
Godfrey Qualls is a Detroit police officer by day and a mysterious drag racer by night. He would appear at local gathering spots like Woodward Avenue and Telegraph Road, win street races, and then disappear for weeks or months—the cadence that earned him the Challenger nickname.
As well as its road racing history, the Black Ghost is a special car because of its unique specifications, with a gator-style vinyl roof, white tail stripe, and a 426 cubic-inch Hemi V-. 8 under the hood.
1970 Dodge Challenger R/T SE “Black Ghost”
Qualls, himself a veteran who was awarded the Purple Heart, parked the Challenger in 1975 and kept it hidden for decades. He eventually introduced Dodge and the story behind it to his son Gregory in 2014. Qualls died a year later, but before handing Gregory the keys and documents.
The Black Ghost is a large part of the Challenger lore that inspired the modern tribute. This is one of the Last Call special editions that Dodge is rolling out for the 2023 model year to mark the end of the road for its current Challenger and Charger muscle cars. A total of 300 copies would be made, each with the same black exterior and vinyl roof to match the original.
