Dodge’s 1970 Challenger Sparks a Legend
Photo Source: Stellantis
The historic 1970 Dodge “Black Ghost” Challenger will be headlining an exclusive event for the world leader in live auctions of collector and classic cars; that is to say, the sports car will be the leader at the Mecum 36th Original Spring Classic in Indianapolis, Indiana in May of the 2023 model year. The vehicle became legendary in the 1970s when it would surreptitiously 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.
The Start of the Legend
The Mecum post has claimed, “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.” Allegedly, after serving in the Army’s 82nd Airborne Division, Qualls ordered the car be constructed anew at Raynal Brothers Dodge in Detroit, with it arriving on December 5, 1969. He arguably put it to good use, thundering to local hangouts, including the famed Woodward Avenue and Telegraph Road, preparing to pummel any contender.
With a win firmly secured, the pair would vanish into the darkness for weeks and months. The disappearing act of Qualls’s triumphant Dodge Challenger earned it the apt nickname “Black Ghost.” Qualls kept his escapades silent, fearing retribution or, worse, the loss of his career as a police officer if he ever got caught racing. In 2015, when he was terminally ill with cancer, Qualls signed the Challenger over to his son Gregory. Mecum Vice President of Consignments Frank Mecum proved to be utterly enthralled by the tale, having this to say: “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.”
It is truly astonishing when there is the combination of a Purple Heart-awarded military veteran and a unique 1970 Challenger shrouded in the mythical street racing of a clandestine Detroit cop, the muscle car, and drag racing. Indeed, it would be rare if Mopar enthusiasts did not notice.
How the Story Plays into Dodge’s “Last Call” Event
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’ trims 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.
Tim Kuniskis, Dodge brand chief executive officer, announced, “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.” Quite interestingly, he added, “The 2023 Dodge Challenger Black Ghost is the prelude to what we’re going to unveil with our seventh and final special-edition model.” There has been much speculation surrounding what the final special-edition automobile could be, particularly with Dodge’s perplexing teaser videos adding fuel to the rumors, so the fact that the “Black Ghost” could somehow be involved is yet another puzzle piece to fit together.
The enigma that once surrounded the “Black Ghost” seems to have led to another mystery, but while Dodge is entertaining enthusiasts with the upcoming “Last Call” occasion, please come visit Cape Coral Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram. We are all about helping our customers enjoy their shopping experience. We have a friendly and passionate sales team that will make your buying, leasing, or selling needs easy for any of our new vehicle inventory. If you are considering a used vehicle, we have a wide range to choose from. We are happy to be your dealership home.