‘Black Ghost’ Dodge Challenger used by off-duty cop for illegal Detroit street races up for auction

An iconic Dodge Challenger known as the ‘Black Ghost’ that was used by an off-duty police officer for illegal street racing in 1970s Detroit is about to go up for auction, where it is expected to sell for millions.

The Challenger, which has been placed in the Library of Congress’s National Register of Historic Vehicles and has been on display on the National Mall in Washington, will go up for auction at the Mecum Spring Classic in May.

Mecum Auctions vice president of consignments Frank Mecum said, “This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, and the value is in the seven figures.”

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 received a Purple Heart, was famous for choosing where he would appear for races at Woodward and Telegraph Avenues in Detroit and would try to remain as low-key as possible because of his job.

However, he almost always won with the famous muscle car and then quickly walked away.

Qualls’ ability to win races and then speed up before being recognized led to the nickname ‘Black Ghost’.

The car and its driver left the scene after a few years, with their identity and the location of their wheels a hidden secret.

However, in 2014, Qualls told his son Gregory about the car, which he remembered riding alongside as a child.

“We were going for walks,” Gregory told the Detroit Free Press in 2020. “I would know dad was pulling the car out because when it started it shook the house.”

He would even play a game with his son, taping a $100 bill on the board before starting and saying that if the boy could catch it, he could keep it.

The Challenger, which has been placed in the Library of Congress’s National Register of Historic Vehicles and has been on display on the National Mall in Washington, will go up for auction at the Mecum Spring Classic in May.

The 1970 Dodge Challenger R/T SE was owned by Motor City policeman and Army veteran Godfrey ‘Dennis’ Qualls

Qualls, who served in the 1960s and received a Purple Heart, was famous for choosing the venues where he would show up for races at Woodward and Telegraph avenues in Detroit and trying to remain as low-key as possible because of his job.

“He stepped on the accelerator and I flew into the back of the seat,” he said with a laugh. I never touched that ticket.

The following year, Dennis Qualls passed away from prostate cancer, leaving the Black Ghost to his son.

Gregory Qualls gathered a group of friends, fixed up the vehicle and revealed it to the rest of the world, and news of its revival led to its place on the National Historic Vehicle Register, according to foxnews.

Despite the black exterior, the top of the car is actually very colourful, with an alligator 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.

In 2014, however, Qualls told his son Gregory (pictured center left) about the car, which he remembered riding alongside him as a child.

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 top of the car is highly colourful, with an alligator pattern on the roof.

The cars are powered by an 807-hp supercharged V8 engine. While Qualls paid just over $5,000 for the 1970 version, the tributes will set you back around $100,000.

That may end up being a bargain compared to the at least seven-figure price that Mecum Auctions may end up selling the original for.

It will be a masterpiece for the famous auctioneer’s event in Indianapolis this May.

Experts say that some of the Black Ghost parts—the Hemi and 4-speed manual transmission and high-quality survivors—would be worth hundreds of thousands of dollars alone.

Qualls’ son left the car unrestored at 45,000 miles, having used it primarily to drive to car shows, though he often took his own son, Gregory Jr., on short rides in the Black Ghost, keeping up the legacy. of the car. going.