Black Ghost: Appearing at Detroit's Autorama

The motoring world has been abuzz with the mysterious tales of the Black Ghost - the 1970 Dodge Challenger RT/SE that haunted the late-night streets of Detroit taking on all contenders and disappearing into the inky darkness. Fans and enthusiasts have been memorized with the high-octane lore of how by day Godfrey Qualls was a lawman and by night, a competitive leadfoot that never lifted.
After a grand debut at Mecum’s 2023 Kissimmee auction where the announcement was made the milestone Mopar would be crossing the block at Dana Mecum’s 36th Annual Spring Classic in Indianapolis, Indiana,
One of the vehicle’s first public stops was back home in the Motor City at the famed 70th Annual Autorama.
This couldn’t have been a more fitting locale to kick off the promotional tour. Essentially all the car’s origins, activity and historic nature took place within a 10-mile radius of downtown. Besides Godfrey being a resident, he ordered the car at the Raynal Brothers Dodge Company dealership, it was built at the Hamtramck Assembly Plant and Godfrey commuted to the 11th Precinct Police department. Not to mention his racing along Woodward Avenue. This city is home for the Black Ghost and the fans come out in droves to see it in person.
Click the link to see more information, photos and videos of the Black Ghost: www.mecum.com/lots/SC0523-554...

[@dw8840]

As soon as Godfrey Qualls took his last breath, Gregory Qualls quickly saw dollar signs.

[@kenstrain4366]

Mecum has done a great job of building up this "legend". It is a stock hemi, and was about 14 second car. Hardly a dominator as 1970 454 was faster stock than this one. It is just a stock car, and no performace items added, not even headers. Mecum did a great job of building up this story for the gullible, and guess what, Mecum sells the car for $1 million. How much did Mecum make on building up this story in commissions?

[@romontbrown4360]

If I'm not mistaken his dad told him to never sell his CAR wtf money is the root to all evil🤬

[@edgaranderson9429]

His dad told him don't give the car away meaning if he ever decided to sell it be sure to get full value for it.

[@hoppes9658]

The love of money is the root of all evil.

[@_yungfrankz]

@@edgaranderson9429 it’s basically the same shit. Since it was given to his son.

[@mshawncunningham765]

From a personal chat, him selling this car now is a truly hurtful thing to him, a hard decision but one he had to make. I will be bidding and told him he will be welcomed to it whenever, if I win the bid.

[@michaelbrewer8780]

I see people selling their family homes that they were raised in their parents probably died in those homes, and no one has a problem with it. I wonder why?

[@mikebas7325]

Such a great story but very sad to hear it is going to be sold.

[@danrichardson210]

The car sold based off a story ! It’s a stock hemi with good options, but hardly a top contender at Woodward .

[@luisramos9724]

I was at the world of wheels 2023 this weekend in Chicago , saw many beautiful cars , but the highlight of the show for me was seeing right in front of me , The Black Ghost It was an honor for me and my grandson to see this car The story of this car is one of the greatest car story out there

[@kimmorrison9169]

I believe this hemi challenger pretty much raced basically other “stock” cars in Detroit. On the other hand, cars that were highly modified like the Silver Bullet ‘67 hemi GTX raced all comers in Detroit. I think the Silver Bullet was built by a group of Chrysler engineers to experiment on how to make the products as fast as they could be.

[@neal6473]

Amazing story thank you.

[@makofett7404]

I see some issues with this story. First the car was supposedly one of the first Challengers to receive a shaker hood. He didnt get the hood until later. We never saw the extra hood plus the cars fender tag and window sticker does not have the N96 shaker hood code! This car is beautiful, no doubt; but a legendary street racer? The Mopar community is very tight and knowledgable. This car wouldve been talked about in magazines and at the Nats! A legend is a legend if someone tells a story. No way this car in stock trim was beating up musclecars in Detroit in early 70s. No slicks, no headers, full exhaust, all that weight. Ford, Mopar, GM had their own factory built street cars that they tested equipment on, which were raced on Woodward. Ask Jim Wangers, Tom Hoover, Rousch. They really played this story up and got everyone on board. Happy for the family to make so much money. Haggery, Mecum, Dodge all made money off this story. Also as a mopar owner, tell me the historical significance of this car over others, just so I know the requirements.

[@musclecargarage8882]

Never get tired of hearing this story. Sad that he's selling he's dad's car. On he's dad's death bed he said don't sell my motherf**king.

[@jeffcampbell2710]

Cash talks,

[@musclecargarage8882]

@@jeffcampbell2710 yes indeed it does

[@MikeJBlues]

Love this car and the history behind it. Well Done 👍

[@jeffreyperrault3792]

I know of this car and it's amazing history.I'm glad I grew up when muscle cars roamed the roads and Saturday night street racing was a big deal.I'm also sad that this car is being sold.I wish I still had any one of the cars I owned back then.

[@jeffreyyeater1780]

That story is bullshit.

[@musclecarsocial9761]

Great show and presentation. 😎

[@wildcolonialman]

Fabulous man, fabulous family, fabulous wheels, fabulous heirloom.

[@Douguod1]

Black ghost, i follow the story of this car every time i hear about it a real legand of a car , story and man.

[@NormalPower7291]

What a story! Godfrey is an effing hero. U rock GQ. A true American car enthusiast.

[@jayl8547]

Such a great story. Reminds me of my father. Cheer to “The Black Ghost” and Hooah to my late brother in arms.

[@SlLVERFAWKES]

What an amazing Man and story! I would love for them to make a movie about this Man and his car but nowadays they would make it more about race then racing.

[@yukonjack.]

You all been had this car was no legend it was a 14-second fabricated story oh for sure going to make a movie about it that's the whole point.

[@BlssedToBeFree]

Beautiful family and a beautiful car. Keep spreading the history and inspire hot rodders! Thanks for sharing.

[@yukonjack.]

A beautifully FABRICATED story,, 14 second 1/4 mile legend huh... HAHAHA 🤣

[@chargerdave2046]

They REALLY shouldn't sell it! Keep it in the family!!! The money will be gone in no time... The car could be handed down throughout their families generation, you'll never have a car and story like this again. Just my opinion

[@itsgottabechef]

I said the same thing! I could never sell it in my lifetime.

[@randylear8264]

Great story. I hope they receive a large amount of money for the car. As I believe they will. It’s these legendary retelling of the good old days that make these cars special. I own the Yang to this cars ying. Mine is a 70 White Challenger. 340 automatic. I have owned mine since 1979. It has a few stories to tell too. But not as colorful as the Black Ghost.

[@boooochee]

awesome story !! i knew i should have gone to the autorama ..

[@ROTTBOXX]

Sad that they are putting it up for auction. Smh

[@roderickjackson380]

Keep it in the Family!!!

[@cooterbrown7681]

He has no idea what the car really is and what it is about

[@johnnywadd3020]

take the mill and run

[@lucky-rowe2623]

Very cool!

[@SKATETOSLAYER]

Probably one of the most beautiful cars ever.

[@4mrholsterco981]

I could never sell it. Mark from graveyard cars would be the only guy that I think should get his hands on it as I think he would never let it go

[@johnnytate4374]

🎶🤍🎶💯🔥 YES LORD MARK GRAVEYARD CARZ

[@jameshopkins5702]

My dad’s 70s Challenger had the small back window as well

[@charliechristie2949]

It is a GREAT STORY about a plain car. A 1970 muscle car with a Hemi is rare. It is worth,restored about $125,000 whereas a Challenger like this with a 440 magnum is worth $60,000 if it is restored. The Africa sticker was $2.95 cents. I know it because I bought an Ireland sticker that was the same size.......They are selling a STORY attached to a 53 year old musclecar that needs a lot of work !!

[@Sammy88chevy]

Hater

[@opera93]

Thanks, All… *& for “ his Service”…. interestingly, I passed on buying a **1970 CHALLENGER RT/ SE/4 SPD// MAGNUM** * triple Green ( sic*?), as we did. It like all the LOADED OPTIONS\ green! , in summer 1970 at Dealer… buying a 70 CORONET 500/ 383 loaded, etc. I am Still kind of a MOPAR FAN

[@MrEGNigma]

Cool story,, I saw what I called the Black Ghost in Oklahoma early one morning on I-40 1977, I'm driving a 68 cutlass going to Texas running 70 mph I see headlights in the rear view about 1/4 mile back, look at my speedo and woomph,, this black streak blows by me like it was shot out of a cannon the little I caught made me think Cuda then it was just gone. A few later a State patrol flew by once he passed me shut off his lights and turned around I know sounds crazy but couldn't make up a story like that.

[@geneva760]

AH - what a shame that he has to sell it. CHEERS from AUSTRALIA.

[@HunterWerner-kx9hb]

i love the black ghost challenger i like the roof on the car. And the motor i love it .

[@fle2100]

I love this family

[@clarebutterfield6927]

Thank you! You are a great son!

[@JJj-xratedgt]

T would be sweet to SEE BOTH BROTHERS DODGES BESIDE EACH OTHER!

[@prun8893]

You've all been had. I looked this car over at the auction. IT WAS STOCK!!!!! The battery was under the hood still. How can a 14.5 second car "own" the streets in Detroit and become a "legend".

[@jonmopar7917]

Love the car: but wish someone would carefully restore the original paint with a light compound and buff

[@donkandduallys]

i cant believe they're gonna sell it

[@diegohorton869]

Oh my gosh really lol

[@VikingAF1111]

What an incredible story. Gave me chills. My favourite car when I was a child with my little hot wheels 1970 challenger. Now having my dream 2022 challenger Hellcat, this story makes these cars even more special. Gregory thank you for sharing this with us all. Deepest respect and condolences for your dad. An absolute warrior. MOPAR!

[@Schlipperschlopper]

Sadly soon all combustion cars and trucks including classics will be banned from public streets in entire EU and Scandinavia :-( In Germany the Green Peoples Party gave order to shorten fuel supply from 2025 on by reducing all conventional fuel stations to only one state operated central gas station per city or county. Car washs will be forbidden too because they are climate killers, now they want to slow down all the gas station pumps from 20 litre per minute to 2 litre per minute...From 2027 on in the EU certain car spare parts will be banned too....as exhaust systems, turbo chargers and even some engine and gearbox oils...California and New York will do the same from 2027 on.... So no investments should be done in oil burning cars any longer....They even created a new kind of crime here, called emissions and smoke crime.!!! (BABVVEN & TEBBVEN & BEFVO laws)!

[@jeffcampbell2710]

Congrats on acquiring your 2022.

[@jeffcampbell2710]

@@Schlipperschlopper it's about Totalitarian control. You CANNOT escape if they shut the power off.

[@thatcarlifeR8]

Unfortunately, it’s a snow job. Think about it completely stock for 426 hemi is a 14 second car. A slightly modified 340 duster is faster than that. I don’t know how you can overlook the “racing history” on this car.

[@yukonjack.]

​@@thatcarlifeR8 you are correct the owner was a stand-up guy, but the son is a con artist, trying to make it as a movie producer.

[@ShiftAndPass]

It's a cool car but they over exaggerating the story of it

[@edgaranderson9429]

Where's your proof?

[@jeffcampbell2710]

Wouldn't hurt to clean it up.

[@kevine8736]

this is the 3rd or 4 time I"ve seen and heard the story about the black ghost ... it remind's me of a truck my friend had .... I dont really wanna talk about it to much but all I can say is it was a dodge also with a small block

[@joechancio5177]

Awesome story. Ive heard of this car and cant wait to see what it brings in indy. Im guessing 1million.

[@Richardzmaxdragway]

Man you need to go buy yourself a lottery ticket because you nailed it right on the head

[@joechancio5177]

@@Richardzmaxdragway lol I hear ya.

[@Deetroiter]

And then the family went and sold the danm thing even when Mr. Qualls begged on this deathbed for them not to. Unreal

[@pounderish]

Imagine how cool it was in those days racing compared to today's hooligans. This car will fetch record $$$$$$$ not just for the car alone but for the history of it.👍

[@charliechristie2949]

Racing in those days was a lot of fun. My friends and I did it in and around NYC. I could tell stories all night that are true and you would say I am bullshitting.........It was a GREAT time to be alive. Now I am 70 and according to some young people I know nothing,so I sit in a corner and remember those days. When cars were fast WITHOUT nitrous and Turbochargers !!!

[@srt_keith]

Create a piece of history just living in truth 👍🏾👍🏾

[@jamesguisewite2169]

Who welds their distributer to the block, and how did the macanic pull and rebuild the distributer in the documentary if it was welded. I made a notch on the distributer housing and two notches on the block. So I could advance the timing without a timing light. Just need one wrench.

[@MichaelSmith78]

Nah. You extend the centrifugal weights inside the distributor that advance the timing and weld those to lock in the timing advancement so that timing is where you want it when you stab the throttle. Doesn't matter anyways cuz this Black Ghost story is horseshit.

[@NilesNeuStone]

Rip Godfrey Qualls..long live the Black Ghost and Gregory Qualls!!

[@jordancooper2717]

That's only a stock RT your lucky if you get 14 sec out of it. Sorry stories not adding up

[@carlcampbell6827]

I just wonder how many tricks were in the bag of pro tuners back in the day to really make these hemis haul ass? Also how about drive line and suspension upgrades?

[@mickeyshea8013]

There are many doubts about this car

[@TheDarkKnight73]

Should have went to the museum

[@Falcon-mc5fs]

Turns out the whole story seems to be a marketing scam. Fake story about a car dominating the streets. A Mopar guys channel just exposed it

[@markwilliams5606]

The Black Ghost. Legendary. This is when the Big Boys came out. After Midnight. Detroit Muscle 🇺🇸🏁

[@bradfordmcdermott2063]

Bone stock 14 second car? More like The Black Hoax no way thats beating a 1970 Chevelle SS Ls6 450hp that was in John Wick and Jack Reacher with Tom Cruise

[@victorycrosby4896]

Yep it sure is.

[@MiturBinEsderty]

Fully restored with the shaker hood this car will bring more than a million I hope he has this insured for over a million it’s 1of1 with every single option

[@Fleetwoodjohn]

This car and the mystery IS true. Many older Detroit locals heard about it but never seen it. It doesn’t matter how many times or how many wins. It’s a very rare car with interesting options and mostly original. That alone makes it cool. The family and the story seals the deal. I’ve met them a couple times and great down to earth people. I wish him the best at the auction.

[@jeffreyyeater1780]

Scam

[@eddier155]

Yeah these cars weren't fast in stock form. Lots of potential, but far from legendary performance.

[@charliechristie2949]

@@eddier155 I lived the era. I had a 1969 Hemi RoadRunner (new). The Challenger with the right driver could do 13.50 @ 107 mph in the 1/4 mile. My RoadRunner was about the same ,stock.....

[@OuzoLouGarage]

I saw the Black Ghost years ago before all the hype

[@jimmyjambon9206]

Ghostin'

[@edsmith2033]

Don't sell the car, damn greedy kids

[@jarmominkkinen9409]

Nice Challenger Hemi👍Have Challenger 70 440 SE sixpack Shaker Power windos.Clone Car wery good shape 100% solid orginal chethmetal...727 slip stick GV overdrive 3Member 4.10 in The rear.Real Street car...

[@Sysop70]

why did he sell it?

[@travishinton4755]

Love to see it restored

[@jcathell100]

This car needs to go to phantom works garage and let that young man do it magic on bringing that paint back to life and get rid of all those scratches so the car will remain original paint

[@paulmavrakis8683]

a great true-story,gOD bless paul bonham mavrakis

[@scottpearce7466]

Didn't run chrome hubcaps.

[@leegoddard2618]

Chrysler is making a tribute car of this very car. 😁👍 No sticker on the lower quarter but it Does have the alligator top and other things.

[@D70340]

I call BS on that.

[@leegoddard2618]

@@D70340 uhm, look it up. I'm not lying. WTF, it's SO easy to check. You just like typing sh!t. 😑🤦

[@jeffalessi]

@@D70340 kzbin.info/www/bejne/bHLMf4StpLqmoMU

[@itsgottabechef]

And no manual available idk what Dodge was thinking if they planned on giving it a proper tribute

[@JJj-xratedgt]

Where is the BROTHERS '68 BLACK WHITE BBEE STRIPE 440 CAR?

[@edgaranderson9429]

Sold it years ago.

[@JJj-xratedgt]

@@edgaranderson9429 but the second release #STOREY FINDING THE GHOST LOST TIN BROTH'RiN' REUNITED!!! THE SEARCH OF RACER X #GHOSTED BROTHER IN THE HOOD!

[@fpblkjay5868]

It’s a shame nobody talks this bad about the 71 cuda convertible plum crazy car that’s was restored horribly non numbers matching “claimed numbers matched” for 3 million black ghost wasn’t the fastest but it was a runner too many people vouched on that…track is different from street.

[@jeffreyyeater1780]

Street racing still happening all over . Not just in the sixties . Car culture is bigger than it ever was .

[@Scray1]

No way he should sell that car, it should stay in his family so his kids can enjoy it. They must be low on cash to get rid of such a family legacy

[@Crazy8ts]

Uncle "I wasn't there" Tony. That's all

[@bikinilover1853]

Shame on this man, his dad passed that car to him to keep and cherish. Now his pocket is more important to him than his word to his father.

[@D70340]

I commented the same thing.

[@carlkomosa3132]

"Don't you sell my f n car"

[@JJj-xratedgt]

Did the two BROTHERS "RACE" EACH OTHER? What's THE MATCH RACE OUTCOMES!?!

[@YetiShots]

unfortunatly those modifications would not increase any performance making this any better than a slouch of a 14+ second car.

[@kylevantassel7259]

This has all been this vast marketing campaign for this kid to do what so many other kids have done over the years and thats sell off the car. His father managed to hold onto it for all those years just to have the kid take the cash and run.... Same ole story folks regardless of how they try to spin it to drive the bids up. Yes the car is entering a whole new chapter , the chapter where the kid dumps the car for the cash.. I cant tell you how many times ive seen this over the years and personally known folks who held onto things when it would have been so much easier to take the cash themselves when they were alive. Only to watch the kids take the biggest number they can get , blow the cash and be right back where they were before hand... Its a sad story , and this car is now the poster child of that.

[@Dooguy]

In the immortal words of Rick James,......Money is a powerful drug. Hope they do something smart with the money and do not smoke the money like so many americans on stupid shit.

[@edwardm261]

Yes his dad said don't sell. He should honor that. His son could sell not him. He should not based on his word to his dad

[@Roadrunnergarage]

I hunted down and bought my late fathers challenger back. 40 plus years and 1000 miles away after it was gone. I can’t believe this guy sold his dads car. Never. Not for any amount of money

[@buckodonnghaile4309]

My dad left my son his 70 Chevelle in his will, if my son sold that he'd be getting whooped by his grandpa's ghost.

[@abraxsmith01]

UTG has a much different take on this so called legend....Look it up. How many of us fell for the 1988 Van Dam Bloodsport movie based on the "real life" exploits of Frank Dux fighting in the Kumite? How this got past all these "experts" in the modern age is priceless. There is going to be a ton of embarassed folks involved with this one. Plus the new owner may have a case against the auction house and owner when it comes to false advertising. If it sounds too good to be true it probably isn't...Lol! Then, given the circumstances could we also be looking at a case of stolen valor? Hopefully not Bc that is a very serious issue. You don't want to get on Don Shippley's radar.

[@rickcollins4086]

One thing's for sure when he sells the car and the money Runs Out he'll kick yourself in the ass for selling the car because that car is a legend in Detroit what are y'all to do is do exactly like his dad did just put the car up and walk away and later on get the car out cuz I really don't think his dad would want him to sell that car

[@jenseninterceptors]

The owner of this car is whatever but thats an awesome car, i cant wait to see how this unfolds!!

[@yavin99]

I know a lot of people wont agree with me but I think the Black Ghost should be restored.

[@davecaresforyou7606]

Man I never seen a big block hemi in real life! I’d love to see or drive in a big block hemi car or to have an old school hemi as it has perfect spark placement for a turbo car! Headers can go low and man the torque can be unreal!

[@alanaugustine8565]

Guess they need the money, that's the only reason I would sell.

[@sparkster1314]

Go check out Uncle Tony's Garage. He did a good break down of why this "legend" is just a myth.

[@hemitodd]

Embellished history

[@D70340]

I can`t believe they are going to sell the car. I guess money means more to them than keeping it in the family. I would have kept passing the car down within the family to the grandson. Now the grandson will be cheated out of granpa`s legacy.

[@tbone926]

Awesome to see a black man with honor and fortitude own a classic with a record of service to the military and police!

[@D70340]

Why.... just whyyyy.... why pull the race card. Skin color has nothing to do with it.

[@jimmybarham7520]

I bet someone boosted his head up to sell it, some body got a cut of tge money

[@metalbeast83]

one of the biggest car scams ever

[@wadeadams9471]

That ain't nothing but a bone stock 14 second Challenger. I'm having a very hard time swallowing that it went out and dominated the Detroit Street muscle scene from 1970 to 1975. The car don't even have headers. It's a nice story. But that's all it is is a nice story. Nothing fast about that car. I believe the man owned the car. He weren't no mechanic. You're not going to drag race a car without working on it. Nothing but a bone stock Challenger with a trailer hitch

[@riccocool]

Ghost

[@jrweis4917]

Great car and very valuable. But the "Black Ghost" street racer legend is pure hype. Too many cars are popping up with questionable stories attached that are either an attempt to increase the value or just wishful thinking. Yeah it's a hemi. But it isn't set up to be much of a street racer and would have lost to many other cars back then, if it was actually street raced at all. It's enough that it's just an original hemi car that needs a full restoration. No reason to attach embellished stories to it.

[@Dooguy]

Yep....them Mecums know how to bring up the bids dont they.

[@ROTTBOXX]

The story of this car has been around for years and years 🤡

[@jrweis4917]

t@@ROTTBOXXThen those stories should be including how many times it lost a race. It's a pipe dream to think that car was a street racing "legend". Those street hemi's were easy pickings. Ask anyone who street raced in the 70's. The average muscle car raced someone else now and then. That must make every muscle car that ever had a street race a "legend".

[@ROTTBOXX]

@@jrweis4917 it's called google

[@edgaranderson9429]

There are people I personally know that were kids back then from Chicago whose uncle's remember that car in Detroit. I was at Autorama all 3 days & heard with my own ears of several guys, who have absolutely nothing to gain, tell Greg they raced that car.

[@WPGinterceptor460Interceptor]

03:32 conservatively rated at 425 horsepower... K ENOUGH OF THAT, A 426 Hemi with low miles was pulled from a car and dynoed at 428 horse! just to be gospel now

[@donQpublic]

This is a 14 sec car at best. Not very fast.

[@rglazz]

WOW! What a guy dad was. I can't imagine what kind of sh*t he had to put up with in that era AND married a pretty woman of another skin color. Must have been a super cool guy with a lot of substance. BLM!!!