Mysterious street legend up for bids
INDIANAPOLIS — The legendary 1970 Dodge Hemi Challenger R/T-SE, known as the “Black Ghost” in the Detroit street-racing scene of the 1970s, will be the headlining consignment for Dana Mecum’s 36th Original Spring Classic, which will be held this May 12-20 at the Indiana State Fairgrounds in Indianapolis.
Godfrey Qualls, a Detroit police of fi cer 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 Dec. 5, 1969. He put it to good use, rumbling to local hangouts, including the famed Woodward Avenue and Telegraph Road. 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.”
In 1975, with numerous victories achieved and a mythical legend bestowed, the “Black Ghost” again went off the grid; however, this time it was gone from the Michigan streets for decades. Before he died in 2016, Qualls signed the car over to his son, Gregory.
The car became the 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.
For more information on the Mecum Spring Classic, visit www.Mecum.com, or call 262-275-5050.