The Black Ghost Challenger Hoax And A New Angle On The Story

Our video on this million dollar Mopar got around pretty quickly and generated a ton of comments, many of which questioned our ethics and qualifications to speak on this car, it's history, performance and ultimately true value
We address those issues, and also introduce a new angle to the story as brought to our attention by an old friend and noted authority on all things Chrysler from a historical perspective.
#classiccar #hagerty #mecum #streetracing
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[@ThePaulv12]

You started to, but ultimately didn't give what you think the current intrinsic value of it is (sans the BS narrative of course). Forgetting fools and their money being easily parted, I'm still interested to know what your estimate is UT, $125k, $150k, $175k, $200k - heck $250k, $350k or +$500k? I'll have a guess, One+ owner Black Hemi good condition (7/10) on the survivor car scale, numbers matching 4sp car in need of a full resto, I reckon ~ $350k. Spend $150k on it to over-restore it as is expected these days then it's worth $500k meaning there's no money in it until you so you need to attach a great big lie to not have to spend $150k on the resto and get 3x the thing's unrestored value. One thing's for sure, the goose that bought it before attending the auction must've looked up 'Gullible' in the dictionary only to find it wasn't there LOL.

[@UncleTonysGarage]

I did leave that part out, didn't I! That Challenger, in its current condition, in the current market is a $200,000 car. Other people I discussed this with agree with that ballpark assessment. Challengers never bring the same money as Cuda's do, so you can't really do an apples to apples comparison with other big money E Bodies that have sold over the last few years. Completely restored...and I mean a TOP NOTCH resto, I could see that car between $600-750,000.

[@rockymeyers4030]

@@UncleTonysGarage the buzzkill for that event was the Breedlove AMC that was part of a landspeed record, was right before the challenger at auction. It didn't break $70k

[@tarstarkusz]

@@UncleTonysGarage I don't think so and it's likely to go down, way down. Any samples sold in the bubble years of 2003-2021 just doesn't apply. Interest rates are up and likely going higher. The money bubble almost popped last year and nothing has changed to make anyone think the money bubble is going to pop and soon.

[@IR-nq4qv]

@@UncleTonysGarage I totally agree with your assessment on the car's current and a Concours restored retail value, as I said before.. The caveat is.., you will always find more than one in the crowd at auctions who are willing to pay extra for the added hype, legend, mystery, secrecy and history that was documented and borne out of exaggerated folklore.. .

[@NBSV1]

Considering there’s HotWheels cars and other stuff coming out I wouldn’t be surprised if the money for the car came from marketing somewhere. Doubtful an actual person paid that much for the car because they liked it. If nothing else it’ll end up a tax write off or money laundering somewhere.

[@creeksidegarage852]

This whole thing just brings me back to that old saying...." Don't let something like the truth stand in the way of a good story"

[@EamonnSeoigh]

As long as it doesn’t hurt anyone, Why not?

[@blairleighton3343]

Exactly, and remember, buyer beware,and that old saw about a fool and his money and one born evey day. Cheers 🍺

[@DucknCoverin]

⁠@@EamonnSeoighI guess if you lack an appreciation of real history and accuracy when it comes to the provenance of these vehicles then you probably would see it as harmless.

[@bowslap]

Some people just can’t handle the truth….particularly when it runs contrary to the narrative.

[@NOLAZACK]

Some people are full of sh%t....like calling people scammers without actually saying names. He spoke the kids name...the kid wasnt thw one detailing the story...make a video calling out all those old white guys if you think the story is a scam. Call every last person out...qait... he wont do that...we know

[@Bangkok-ik1fp]

@@NOLAZACK bowslap is right. There was a narrative and an agenda involved to pump the price up. I call out Mecum for not doing due diligence by making sure the story they are presenting is accurate. Tony is just presenting facts so we can all draw our own conclusion. No malice, no harm intended. Follow the money and you'll get your answers as to who. If you're looking for an old white guy look no further than your President who's been running the biggest scam of the century. Cheers!

[@factthatdude4059]

You believe him without any proof because you want to believe him. Typical 😂😂

[@rallyfeind]

​@@NOLAZACK So when you lie on the name of your dead father get a film crew to retell the lies and make more money selling a car, it is not scamming. How many lies does it take or how much money from the lie that he collects is the threshold before you would call it a scam when you spent the money? I respect the get paid but you are calling his paparazzi the scammers then you need to stop smoking chlorine tabs.

[@sd455pontiac]

Tony I'm black and consider you a legitimate wealth of knowledge. Although I think the black ghost is an interesting story, prior to a couple of years ago I never heard of the car either.. I'm 52 years old and have been a diehard car guy my whole life through my dad. All the street race cars you cited on your previous video I've consistently heard about and known of since the late 1970s.. I don't consider you a racist because of your input regarding the black ghost, you're just citing obvious facts. Don't let thirsty haters get to you. Truth be told they likely aren't even car guys, just trolls with low self esteem wanting to ride your coat tails to boost their ego.

[@johnl9977]

As I told my wife "It is possible he put it back to bone stock before parking it, but not likely". We tend to keep all the stock parts though.

[@REGROY1913]

Tony, I'm a 71 year old black guy who has been following you for a while, and your analysis is spot on. Ignore the haters - I was there back in the days of street racing and there were some 340 cars that did indeed run with the Hemi cars.

[@mrmoonboi8692]

There we have it Ladies and Gentlemen. This is why the community has been deadly silent on this because they know there is the danger of being accused of being r@cist.

[@OllamhDrab]

Honestly, I think it's that there's millions more people without any reason or knowledge to particularly doubt what happened in one city way back when, when rich people declare the provenance of something. I mean, yeah, even if I looked under the hood of the thing, myself, I'd expect to see period mods. Failing that I'd presume they put it back to stock cause that's more valuable at auctions. But there's a lot of people on the Internets who'll simply attack anything to do with a race or sex or women or LGBT folks involved regardless of what's going on, to the point that's kinda what a lot of other people expect the motives are behind the twit-verse trashing somebody or something. Meanwhile the Right reflexively calls being called out or criticized on anything they do as 'PC' or now 'Woke' 'cultism.' even if they're the ones having fits about someone they hate and probably never would watch getting one Tiktok bit sponsored by some pretty awful beer they used to I guess was part of their image or something. And demanding more silencing of everyone in schools and public and even the halls of government. Yeah, some people on the other side aren't going to assume good faith at this point. Cause it so rarely is, actually, especially on the Internet that's full of sockpuppets and other skullduggery.

[@r.h.5052]

I was 16 when they were new and other than being a sort of ,status symbols engine, they oinked on the street. There were several off the shelf performance cars that could dope slap it

[@George-dy3pt]

​@@OllamhDrab your cult and its leaders are disgusting and sick! You can't even hold your cult leaders accountable for their actions and you support mutilating children! Your cult are the worst of the worst! You and your cult members and leaders are garbage and so is your beliefs! You'll get the punishment from the gates when you die! You might think rainbows and ferries are life but you'll be burning in hell with your cult!

[@svenomick5857]

Same stuff going on over here in Australia, picked up on everything here in Australia cheers Mick.

[@NOLAZACK]

What does his statement "blacker than black" mean cher???

[@joegeorge3367]

this whole affair reminds me of the time baseball cards showed up on the cover page of the wall street journal. and in about 5 minutes all those rookie cards we put in our bicycle spokes in 1970 to make motorcycle sounds were trading for 5 figures.

[@North49191]

don't forget, every Chevelle is an SS.

[@toddjohnson6806]

Tony as a African American thank you I'm 55 yrs old and a true old school muscle car enthusiasts father owned a gas station and growing up late 70's into late 80' s he was able to buy and restore 3 significant chevy muscle cars that I still have today they are shows cars that stay stored I always remember the hard work it took restoring those cars going from junkyard to junkyard obtaining parts there was no next day delivery with parts this story has bothered me from the first time I heard about it about 3 or 4 yrs ago I would never sell my cars when I die my son will inherite them and and he is not to sell them either...

[@George-dy3pt]

Thank you! It pisses me off how these kids can sell their parents stuff for money! They have no respect or integrity in them whatsoever! They're straight trash! What kind of cars did you inherite?

[@akomni-vr5gt]

Just remember to use them and show them about they are worthy of being seen used used for their original purpose!

[@jmr1185]

@@George-dy3pt When you Die nobody has to hold on to your boring old Shzit you choose, wanted, and bought. Even if you leave money it's likely going to get spent. Even you are gone too. But Life still goes on. Both of you watch too many movies. Life ain't the movies.

[@STOK5OH]

@jmr1185 No one asked you. Go be poor somewhere else.

[@PETERNESS]

Just love this comment from Todd,much love and respect from Australia ,your comment brought back the best times off my childhood with my father working on hes cars ,no money so we scrounged through wreckers yards ,just the two of us best days off my life

[@valricogarcia]

Holy crap! Tony DeFeo! I just happened to stumble onto your channel due to the "Black ghost" story and as I was watching the video I'm thinking "Who IS this uncle Tony guy". When I found out it was you , I couldn't believe it. I used to buy CARS ILLUSTRATED every month back in the day.(I think I still have just about every issue I bought) It was the best magazine out there back then and your black LX was a "Hero" car to us Mustang guys. Wow, it's so great to see you have a channel . Subscribed!

[@toms5157]

Those LX Mustang stories were great!!

[@troGNman]

Wow! I had the same exact reaction watching the "Black Ghost" story. I didn't make the connection until I googled the name. I too bought CARS ILLUSTRATED and even had a cool write up with my '86 GN and some late night NJ exploits with a certain '87 Corvette Road Test Feature that was in CARS ILLUSTRATED and VETTE magazine! I still have multiple copies of both issues. I was good friends with Steve ('87 GT) & his brother David ('85 Capri 5.0) from Freehold and Scott Oldham. You and Neil Van Oppre ran the tires off of your then-new '87 LX Mustangs. Good Times! Chuck from NJ.

[@robertmckenzie4768]

Hi tony re black ghost. Do you remember a Detroit hemi challenger with a Lenco trans and a mustang 2 with a 460 l remember a story in hot rod or car craft

[@valricogarcia]

@@robertmckenzie4768 I remember that story from back then. I think the challenger belonged to a guy named Steve Lisk and the mustang 2 was owned by a guy named Nick Zuck. I thought it had a Boss 429 in it, from what I remember.

[@madmatt4god]

By in large Americans of all colors are sick of throwing the label racist at everyone. The people calling everyone racist are fools. We appreciate your videos and never once have you ever posted anything even remotely racist.

[@OllamhDrab]

Mind you, there's enough constant and incessant bigotry out there that a lot of people just expect things to be about that. Some could dial that back a bit if they don't want bad assumptions.

[@George-dy3pt]

And they're actually the real racist!

[@George-dy3pt]

​@@OllamhDrab be quiet racist

[@1958johndeere620]

When Lepage was the Governor of Maine they accused him of being racist. He was being interviewed in his office and the subject was brought up. He turned a picture around that was on his desk,,,,, the picture was his adopted son, a black man. Absolutely classic moment.

[@DrewLSsix]

So..... that doesn't make a person not racist. I don't know anything about the guy or the legitimacy of the accusations but this type of response really doesn't cover it at all. Would you assume that every man married to a woman must be a full fledged feminist and ally? Of course jot, misogynists can marry people they look down on and racists can adopt people they look down on. Did the guy enforce policies that directly harmed minorities? Then maybe there's an argument for him being racist, even though he adopted a black kid, even though he certainly loved his kid.

[@buddyrevell6369]

​@DrewLSsix stop with this nonsense.

[@edc6333]

@@DrewLSsix Your a special kind of asshole, go cry in a closet.

[@tclott316]

@@DrewLSsixdo us all a favor. Shut the fuck up. There’s a time and place, and neither are here.

[@charlesangell_bulmtl]

​@@DrewLSsix @Drool6👎 Well, you can call this racist, I don't care. NOISEBAG

[@jonnybgood9376]

Ya I saw that same video & I’m in absolute lockstep with your thoughts on the Black Ghost. I couldn’t stop laughing when the old guy said he would ride shotgun & tell him when to shift.

[@genYprogressive83]

When he told the story about how the Black Ghost beat a L88 Corvette and beat him TWICE. My first thought was.. Dam that rich kid in the Corvette must be a terrible driver. Now it makes sense that the story was made up since the car was stock.

[@jimmieroan9881]

the problem is the l88 corvette wasn't much more than a high or mid 13 sec car without gears and slicks. bone stock with street tires lots of the muscle cars were compared to actual prepared drag race cars and there is lots of difference.

[@loganpe427]

I can't believe people don't see the simple logic that the car has a stock engine and fully optioned weight! It's a 13 - 14 second car! Blow off the racist accusations Tony, it's just what people are falling for these days!

[@scarface9617]

Tony is a great guy 💯

[@01trsmar]

With skinny bias ply tires and burning rubber off the line,not hooking like a modern vehicle.

[@garlandjones7709]

​@@01trsmar it was claimed it was a 4.10 rear car on slicks

[@JETZcorp]

I'm starting to think the Black Ghost was a lot like Smitty's GTX. Smitty was a guy who had a Hemi GTX in the Southern suburbs of Portland in the 70s and 80s. He had a couple things done to it, but it was just his car and it happened to be the fastest car... in his group of friends. It was faster than my dad's 59 Chev or his brother's Camaro. The only thing that really challenged it was a 1975 Kawasaki 750 H2, which is a story my mom still talks about with the tone of a plane crash survival. Legendary car... to about 4 or 5 people. It didn't dominate the street race "scene", it didn't go to PIR and blow away some class, it was just a really cool, quick car owned by a guy. I think that's what Black Ghost was.

[@indianadave8881]

This makes a lot more sense... "Fastest car... in his group of friends"

[@NOLAZACK]

Bit all the people who provided testimony were not his friends bro....your hypothesis holds absolutely no wayer

[@hotwheel6663]

H2 the widowmaker!

[@mikebrookshire3464]

I think no one at the top like Tony takes this into account. I had a h2 750 that I won a lot of races with it had quite the reputation among my friends one of had a couple of national records. I also had a 66 pontiac that ran off and left a 383 super bee, on top end has he was geared for drag racing and mine was set up geared towards top end. There is always someone with a faster car and having more power doesn't mean that you are going to win .mutch respect for the black ghost.

[@anthonyrowland9072]

i just always assumed he raced a bunch of 383 belvederes, 390 fairlanes, and 300hp 327 malibus with isky 272s and then disappear for a month, not that he was the king of the streets in detroit in 1972.

[@jeffraley5053]

Hey Tony, you know I did a little research on both the Silver Bullet GTX, and the Sudden Death Mustang II, 2 of the cars you mentioned, and 2 cars I've known about for years. When you look back at some of the old magazine articles on either car, they usually mention the other one, and a lot of the same cars from back in the day. No mention of a "Black Ghost Challenger in any of them. Interesting! I'm with ya on this one, then again, we ain't got the one million do we?! Have a good one Tony!!

[@paulfulton5078]

There was another car during that time period. Steve Lisk's Hemi 1971 Challenger.... basically a pro stock drivetrain, with a Lenco transmission! He drove it on the streets of metro Detroit in the '70's. Google it. It was a bad mamma jamma!

[@Dick_Gozinya]

I was born in 1965, and I remember people telling spooky stories about The Black Ghost around the campfire in the '70s. Stories about ow it would win street races in reverse gear. Stories about how the car would change color during the race. Stories about how you would never hear the car shift gears. Stories about how it was actually possessed by a Demon (A Dodge Demon!) It would squirt protoplasm into the other lane, so the other car couldn't get any traction. And how the guy driving it had a hook for a hand.

[@thezunot]

I lived in Detroit during this time and "ran Woodward". I never heard any story at that time regsrding a "Blsck Ghost." What a hoax

[@markmark2080]

🤣🤣🤣

[@katieandkevinsears7724]

I'm a bit younger than you, but once as a small child, I vaguely recall seeing a black Challenger flying through the sky accompanied shortly by a sonic boom. It then landed and turned itself into a robot and began fighting against a red semi that had also transformed into a robot. After several hours and many innocent bystanders dying, the semi barely managed to subdue the ghost.

[@user-vn6vx6rf7d]

There's probability a lot you did not know was happening around you back then, it just depends on the circle you hung with. @@thezunot

[@torinobob]

Watching the last video, I got no hint of racism, but I knew people were going to cry racism because that's what people do now. What struck me was respect for his father serving his country and then joining the police department on his return. My only thoughts on the Black Ghost sale price was, there's one born every minute.

[@BloodRaven1969]

I agree with you, buuut... In todays world is has to be down to at most every 42 seconds or so... ;)

[@OllamhDrab]

One thing I wouldn't expect is very reasonable prices out of Mecum auctions. So many things are just prestige-items for the rich that there's gotta be a mentality where they more they pay, the more they think they got, and it ceases to really be about the cars, just 'I can have this and you can't.' Different mentality entirely from a lot of us. And, typically, the cars that get like a million or more in pricing just aren't even cars I'd *want.* I mean, there's a few exceptions, a few vintage Ferraris maybe that I'd be like, "Oh, I'd love that one." ...but even those, I wouldn't love em a million bucks when I could maybe spend fifty grand and be at least as happy. But a lot of people that want the Hemi Cudas especially in rare colors and options don't want em to open up at high speed or cause they want an air-conditioned convertible and are in love with the shade of orange, they want em cause they're rare. They want em *because* they can say they're expensive and others can't have em.

[@glennmuir5617]

@@BloodRaven1969 Haaa-ha! Every 30 seconds? Less?

[@BloodRaven1969]

@@glennmuir5617 I'll go along with that.

[@anthonyk1234]

The most coddled race of people in america can’t be criticized in any way. If you do criticize expect to be called racist and get ready to make a video apologizing and pandering just how uncle Tom, I mean Tony did. Being called racist is white peoples boogeyman.

[@patrickbeggan1100]

The idea that these idiots are accusing UTG of being a racist over this is shameful. You don’t owe them proof for anything. As far as I’m concerned, attempting to debunk nonsense with basic facts isn’t even worth trying.

[@lordsauto]

Of course the race card comes out.

[@brianbrigg57]

I would be considered a racist by many. I absolutely make use of easily observed characteristics such as skin color to make some assumptions about people. Is every person who shares those characteristics going to be exactly the same? Of course not. But ignoring a lifetime of experience would be foolish and possibly even dangerous. Jesse Jackson admitted to doing the same as I do. I do the same with observable gender characteristics as I do with skin color. I react differently to men and women. Can anybody honestly say that they don't make similar assumptions? I do it with animals too. If I see a pit bull loose on the street I won't react the same as with a Labrador. I have known many pit bulls that were absolute sweethearts but to assume that all of them are could be a dangerous mistake. Snakes get a similar reaction from me. If I can't immediately identify them as harmless I treat them as dangerous. It's just the sensible thing to do.

[@LeapFrog_Radio]

Arguing with idiots often brings one down to that level

[@NOLAZACK]

@@brianbrigg57 you're a bum azz racist then. And by your logic, if your white you're the scourge of the earth. But I'll bet you complain about people saying all white people are racist tho ha??

[@anthonyk1234]

When did being called racist become the worst thing a person could call another person? I’m just wondering why people care so much about the title of racist.

[@SteveMagnante]

Hi Tony, GREAT throwback to your INFAMOUS "red burnout in a Hemi Daytona" magazine article. You are a legend in the "underground / East Coast" car magazine realm but - to your credit - you never toot your own horn. So may I suggest that any and all Uncle Tony's Garage viewers / subscribers who are not aware of Tony's years as an automotive journalist....go to eBay and buy up any issue of CARS Illustrated, Street & Strip Supercar, Hot Street & Strip Cars, Street & Strip Cars from either CSK or Harris Publications and SOAK IN the irreverent, brave, fun stories about Tony and Co. STREET RACING the hottest 1980's Detroit muscle and plenty of Classic 1960's muscle. GREAT reading. Tony had a WHOLE LIFE before Uncle Tony's garage. Personally, I didn't begin my automotive writing career until 1991. But Tony's classic articles were a major influence on me and my desire to begin writing about cars too. -Steve Magnante

[@expectnolove9978]

Give that family credit....They made the story a legend along with the friend and turned that car into a million dollar inheritance....

[@confuse9]

Car might be worth a million anyway. $600,000 if all original

[@judgegixxer]

Wish I could go to my bank and get credit on bullshit lies. Bullshit seems to be the trending currency in the US.

[@North49191]

it's ok for KZbinrs to make money doing little to nothing, the family deserves the money and these car guys acting so honest all of a sudden is a joke.

[@DucknCoverin]

⁠@@North49191😂Inheriting a car and flipping it for a million based on lies that woke clown world helps perpetuate is far less effort than running a youtube channel. The only person who worked hard in this situation was Qualls Sr. You sound pretty clueless though. Keep feeding that head full of brain worms.

[@DucknCoverin]

@@judgegixxerIf you’re of a certain group you’ll probably be able to do it soon enough. San Francisco is trying to give out $5million per individual.

[@cbody70]

Tony, don't let the woke cultist trolls here get you down. If they don't like the message they never respond with facts rather only personal attacks like "you're racist". Keep up the good work.

[@MoparRob440]

Never apologize to the mob.

[@Spike-sk7ql]

The whole "I'm so not racist that most of my heroes are black" thing doesn't help him out at all either. Don't give them idiots any time. Even if he is racist, he doesn't owe anyone an explanation.

[@p-51d95]

+1 "Never complain. Never explain." - Henry Ford II (originally attributed to Benjamin Disraeli) “Never explain-your friends do not need it, and your enemies will not believe you anyway.” - Elbert Hubbard

[@OllamhDrab]

I kinda doubt we got any such 'woke cultist trolls' here. Tony calls *me* his 'liberal friend.' :) Though in some minds it doesn't take much of anything to qualify for *that* label.

[@PavethaWay]

Being "woke" is realizing Tony is right and WOKE to the scam. For you to use the word woke as a code word for black people really shows who the real racist is here. Nice try sir!!

[@1Darkvictory]

When someone even tries to use the "race card" they don't know squat. Tony, you know this don't let them get you down. 👍🏁

[@OllamhDrab]

I don't think Tony ever mentioned what anyone involved looks like. If he did I didn't notice or think much of it. (And I mean, if he had dropped an insensitive clanger I mighta been like, 'Aww, hey, man, ' ...but nah. I mean, I haven't been following the hype in the first place, so this is all I heard of it anyway. I had no mental picture of the people.)

[@dcfools2890]

That's one of the top things brought up now a days... can say oh the sky looks beautiful today n then someone will say what it doesn't look good at night?! Lol

[@MPRiley-rb6lj]

But it did create a segue to another video.

[@Stongray67]

You right on the street 440s beat the hemi all the time

[@manitoba-op4jx]

@@Stongray67 NO REPLACEMENT FOR DISPLACEMENT!

[@LachlanWoods-nj3rm]

Brother, your honesty and straight up integrity is clearly evident in just the way you talk and hold yourself, let alone your honesty, hold your head high and continue, many appreciate your craft! Cheers from Aus!!! 🤙🤙

[@georgepfriender9694]

The thing that kept on bugging me the most about that car being a race car was the trailer hitch.

[@alanmeyers3957]

Had to pull that landscaping trailer.

[@victorvolotchi435]

It was a parachute mount required for the 150 mph trap speed

[@aftermathwhite4955]

I'm a black man and love u and your show, and by the way I'm from Detroit Michigan, and everything u said about the ghost is true ! They can call me a uncle Tom I don't care, but it's a great story but it doesn't make sense.

[@OllamhDrab]

Pick a name and join us, then.

[@aftermathwhite4955]

I don't have one but if u need one for yo moma let me know.

[@OllamhDrab]

@@aftermathwhite4955 Wrong century, sport.

[@paulmac9634]

The sale of this car is an extreme example of what is wrong with the car culture overall. It is thought by many if not most, that if I lie and misrepresent to induce a higher sell price, somehow I am good and clever, but in reality your just a thief and a liar. I believe that the sellers and their willing accomplices are in fact liars and thieves and hurt us all...

[@nothanks81]

There is a reason used car salesman have a reputation.... Never met an honest seller dealing with classics in my entire life.

[@matzrat5006]

Any Hemi Cuda/Challenger would create stories from back in the day, just like the black ghost is still doing.

[@paulmac9634]

@@matzrat5006 Just to be clear here, there is no “black ghost” it’s a complete fabrication…

[@WIDESIDE72]

Tony needs to try an locate some of the REAL street racing legends who were there at the time and ask if they even remember even seeing the car. Hearing their stories about the Silver Bullet GTX and other legendary street race cars of the day would make an awesome documentary.

[@JK-sc8th]

I think what irked people the most wasn't Uncle Tony debunking the legend of the Black Ghost, but debunking the legend of the 426 Hemi. As soon as Tony said how slow the engine was on the street, I instantly remembered how it was basic musclecar guy knowledge in the 80s and 90s that the Hemi was not the fastest stock street engine offered by Dodge or Plymouth. That honor went to the 440 Six Pack/6bbl. I started reading musclecar magazines when I was 14 in 1987, High Performance Mopar being one of them, and it was almost a unanimous saying that the Hemi was a fun engine and a great "collectible" but it wasn't the fastest engine. Whether you had an E body or a B Body, a well tuned 440 Six Pack would be faster every single time. Where the whole HEMI IZ NUMBAH ONE thing came to be was around 2005, with those "It's a Hemi!" ads that Dodge ran. Actually, maybe a little earlier with the first Fast and Furious movie. I remember there was a Hemi Charger in that. Anyway, people bought into that and once that happened every guy on the planet with more money than common sense started stuffing a Hemi in their cars. As for the Black Ghost, I'm glad the kid got almost a million dollars for it. If there was a sucker ready to pay that much for it, good for him. The legend around it is silly, but that's what all legends are in the end. I mean, we don't all still know who King Arthur is because the story is realistic or factual, we know about it because it's a fun legend. Nor is the Black Ghost the only complete BS car legend. There's a bunch of them, like the legend of the 426 Hemi. We clutch onto these things because they sound "right" to us at the time and they make for good stories. Oh, one last thing. The same auction that sold the Black Ghost also had a 1969 Camaro ZL1 which sold for $770,000. I know which one *I* would have bought. Both cars are overpriced, but if you're going to burn money, buy something that actually raced in the NHRA and has history behind it.

[@jaskopeter813]

very well said! the 426 hemi in stock form is way , WAY overrated.

[@mindeloman]

There's a reason Tony and most other real car guys constantly say "Street Hemi." Because the street Hemi was a vastly defined version of the race hemi. I think the legend if the Hemi has more to do with how much power you could add with little work. Simply putting headers on it would add more pound for pound horsepower. And if course different induction. By the 70's you could get 1150 dominators. A single big 4 barrel is going to tune out better than those twin Carters. My dad was an old Mopar guy and he had all the old big block cars. I can remember a few 426's on engine stands. He always said one of the best showroom performers was the 1970 LS-6 Chevelle. But again, the 426 Hemi's secret sauce was being able to get great power yields from modifications. If you were serious, pulling engine and going to solid lifters and high compression engine would get you into the NASCAR level power. Which is why so many of those cars/engines have been modified. Muscles vars, and especially mopars, were the automotive equivalent of a sawed off shotgun. People didn't leave them alone. Performance was what they were after and you couldn't ask for a better blank canvas than a Hemi. So I agree with all the other assessment. The "black ghost" is a cool car, but hardly a 13 second car.

[@blueduster74]

🤣 they weren’t slow. The only cars that could stay with them were 454 Chevelles and 455 Buicks. But you definitely had to put some work in on them to get them right.

[@Mastermindyoung14]

​@@jaskopeter813over? lol

[@williwass6837]

When they have no arguments they throw in the "racist" card!And stop defending yourself!Love your vids and your honest character!If they didnt realize your charakter,they are not worth your attention!

[@NOLAZACK]

What's black? Then detail what's blacker than black....that will expose your level of bigotry fam...I'll wait

[@elarr8733]

He really, really needs to stop being so reactive to the out and out trolls. Nobody wants to see that.

[@jayweiss4378]

@@elarr8733 Agreed! By doing this video today it seems it got to him about what people "Might" think of him! I very much doubt Uncle Tony is racist and hope he can just move forward and not worry about it...

[@NOLAZACK]

@@jayweiss4378 since you guys are covering for him what does his statement blacker than black mean exactly??

[@jayweiss4378]

@@NOLAZACK not covering for him…just think no need to light the guy up as he’s clearly not racist that I can see! Let’s move on and give the guy a break

[@44hawk28]

I grew up in that era in Detroit. I still live in the area. I remember this man and I remember his car. I was pretty well in tune with most of the goings-on did the cruising around the Detroit area. This thing never occurred. There were stories of cars that would come out of the woodwork and disappear but it was a one or two event thing, and it was usually a car that really wasn't very fast that was getting smoked. EBay have taken on a couple of stage 4 GTOs, what's your 15 second cars all week long. With a reasonably capable Hemi Challenger which will do about 13 seconds if you are very good at pedaling it. Normally they run about 14 seconds. That is why a lot of guys opted for the 440 six pack. Because you could run those into 11 seconds with street tires and a pinion snubber. You could get into 10 seconds with slicks on them. But you still had to be able to Pedal that car. Thanks for this video, and the previous one it brought back memories. But if this is going to raise a stink, I hope it does because this bullshit never occurred. I did not respond to the first video. But I understood exactly where you were coming from at the outset of the video. But once I saw a picture of mr. Qualls oh, I remember him, I also remember the black challenger that I saw once in awhile with the Green Top. The only one I've ever seen in my life. But it wasn't a particularly fast car and although it was a righteous automobile. It could take on a GTO any day of the week. But it was not a particularly fast car in a light to light race. They handled great. But straight line they were garbage. I still so guys today that that have these really nice GTOs and their stage 4 Stage 5 and they go out to the dragstrip and they're bragging about their 15 second time slip. Grocery getter Chrysler's would wipe them out. Remember watching people with 318 sending trailer Mustangs home on the trailer. Even the Dakota in the mid-80s with a V6 and a performance computer. Doing the same thing. I only ever had a couple of conversations with mr. Qualls and I remember him being a pretty nice guy. Cool guy. I knew a lot of police officers my father had been a police officer down in Orlando, and I have spent time training police officers in the Detroit area, especially the state police when they transitioned into semi-autos and I trained a good number of them. He was a nice guy. And he probably told his son about a few times when he blew somebody's doors off because they picked on a car that was faster than theirs. But that wasn't because his car was this super fast car. It was because people were picking fights when they were driving cars that couldn't compete that happens a lot in Detroit. The 302 Boss Mustang and the 429 Boss Mustang. We're both Quake boat anchors. But I could stay with them or beat them with my 318 Fury. And that 318 Fury was nothing. A few years later when I had a 318 2 Barrel with a dual-point ignition and head tweak the transmission to shift out of first gear at 52 miles an hour, I was blowing people's doors off light to light. But that's the only time that car ever really would shine. I had that car when I was on the service and I would drive from the city to the airbase, almost exactly 10 miles in 4 1/2 minutes everyday. And I wouldn't even top end it. But it have long legs for a 318. When I got back to Detroit I updated some of the suspension to put front discs on it. It was a lot nicer be able to stop far better than I could just with the old drum brakes. I think your original post was spot-on, this kid is blowing a couple of stories his dad told him about him and his car out of proportion. And I think that's exactly where that came from. But this car was never this Phantom Ghost that ran the streets of Detroit. It just wasn't.

[@tobybabalu6628]

I don't think you were going 130+ miles an hour brother quit lying 😂😢😅😂🎉

[@travislostaglia8861]

If you think a 318 fury could run with a stock boss 302 mustang than you are a complete idiot. Stop making shit up

[@TL-angzarr]

@44 Hawk I'll give you this, when you shovel it you use both hands . Been awhile since I've seen a load of BS that big.

[@colinmunro7337]

Do you mean ram air 4? Never heard of a stage 5?

[@bluecollarred6912]

Its your lie man, tell it however you want

[@KMFDM781]

Like many others, I fell for this Black Ghost story and even shared the Hagerty "documentary" video around. I had a slight feeling something was....off. Then I saw your other video and yeah...their story makes no sense with the car that was shown among other reasons. Thank you for shedding light on this. Too many times companies masquerading as sincere individuals pass off exercises in filmmaking or creative writing off as fact and sucker people into their money making schemes.

[@cheapstreetr]

Tony dont forget those “Tuned” cars often had 4.30 or otherwise higher numerical gears to improve the on track Et’s. Not typical production line gearing.

[@396375a]

Regarding black drivers/engine builders, in 1966, my family moved from RI to Danbury, CT. Our neighbor, Western Bunns had I believe a 1966 maroon Corvette convertible with the name 'Block Buster' painted in yellow on the side of it. I was only a young kid so did not know what his times were back then at Dover dragstrip. But he had a ton of trophies in his living room. Supposedly, the engines were 427 motors that he blew up pushing the car to its limits. He also then started racing a funny car, Soul Twister in the late 60's, I believe. Time has a way of neglecting those who deserve to be remembered!!!

[@sludge8506]

Western Bunns raced a Nova at one time.

[@twothreefour234]

Did these people listen to what you said? Or they just dont care and have to run their mouths to feel better about themselves? I was born and raised in Detroit. A teenager at that time. Everything UT had to say was absolutely acurate. There were ghosts back then but thats not a #1 street car from that era.

[@melikestuff8389]

When I first heard the Black Ghost story I automatically assumed it was a modified car. Knowing a lot about Mopars, I know the limitations of a stock engine, especially the Hemi. Unfortunately UTG has to deal with this current mindset of people who have enough information to be dangerous, facts don't matter, experience means nothing over feelings, and everything has to do with someone discriminating over someone else. I appreciate UTG's take on this and I completely believe what he has to say.

[@Come-What-May]

I really enjoy the channel, Tony. In this case, the history is fascinating. Props to all of the black racers who were intentionally overlooked.

[@taylorhartman96]

The Indy Mecum auction was the first big car auction I had ever attended and I was motivated to go for 2 reasons...The Black Ghost and Rapid Transit Cuda. I sat next to another guy that day who also drove several hours each way just to witness the Black Ghost sell in person. I was disappointed to say the least when I saw your first video the next evening as I loved the story behind the car...Hollywood couldn't have written a better script. I was even more upset with myself that I didn't see the evidence (aka the actual car) that was right in front of me the day before proving it wasn't a "legendary" street racer. Thank you for being willing to point out what others in the car community wouldn't.

[@wildestcowboy2668]

Who cares and how many old HEMI cars do u have? It was 1 of 1

[@sludge8506]

@@wildestcowboy2668Because of that hole in the floor, champ?

[@wildestcowboy2668]

@@sludge8506 Look I get it and I probably are thinking what your thinking but there are 2 kind of men in the world; ones with 426'$ and ones without the MIGHTY MOPAR HEMI

[@DucknCoverin]

⁠@@wildestcowboy2668😂The actual two types of men in this world: Men who have a pot to piss in, can smell the stink of bullshit, and can see things for what they are…..annnd there’s the so called men who don’t have shit, don’t know shit, talk a lot of shit, and have claim they own all kinds of shit in order to shut down constructive conversations. All because they’re pissed at men who know better. I’d personally describe the latter as feminine traits….but good for you son.👍

[@sludge8506]

@@wildestcowboy2668 🤪🤪🤪🤪🤪 👍👍👍👍👍

[@ramblecontent9661]

Good content! Been a subscriber being a person of color he nailed it by introducing black racers who a lot have never heard of but they were and are real street racers. Legends that are not forgotten.

[@davidmarks6042]

Tony - you rock. You aren't a racist, you're a realist. Please keep up the good work...

[@JimmyMakingitwork]

When I was a younger man, the best one of these cars would run after break in was mid to low 13's, most a few tenths slower than that. This was the guys who knew how to adjust valves, timing and adjust tire pressure to get the most out of them. Plus Bias plys. Stay strong Tony, these guys just remember stories their family members told them about their 10's second bone stock muscle cars. Similar to the owner of the Ghosts story. Your video has given my Ghost short more attention, lol.

[@joeybagadonuts3471]

Tony you pulled the curtain back and exposed what might be a huge scam.....so you should have expected some hate. Remember that old expression...."The flack is always the heaviest over the target". As far as the "you're a racist" BS.....SCREW THEM! That is just another way to silence critics. You have a great site and you DO know your wheels!

[@craigcontofalsky4387]

You're right about the average time's of those Hemis Challenger I got to ride in one and my 71 Demon 340 was definitely quicker. That was back in 1971 when those cars were brand new.

[@imapisces5156]

The 340 sixpack TA's were terrors on the street.

[@michaelcole7162]

Man I started watching you on Facebook years ago, at the time you’d be lucky to see 200 views on your videos, and look how far you’ve grown man. I have learned so much from you, I’m proud of you bro. For real.

[@bobbyhackney988]

Spot on. It’s a sign of the times. These idiots value money and the spin more than the people that actually deserve historic recognition. It’s not a race thing just a money thing. Shame on them for twisting history. Don’t be discouraged and keep telling your stories. I can only speak for myself but you are my go to channel. Keep up the good work and I appreciate what you and yours do.

[@alsmith9298]

Back in the day I saw the Black Ghost Challenger wipe up John Force in his top fuel drag car. True story.

[@67L-88]

Hey, I was there too, after the run the loser had to buy everyone watching pizza and ice cream cones... good times.... See this is how "legends" propagate...

[@Nunya_Beezwax]

😂😂😂😂

[@ironking76]

It was also pulling a boat with the tow package as I remember.

[@earl6969]

He came through the traps sideways and lit both finish lights ahead of Force...so it was technically a tie. Lengends

[@carlosdelgado246]

😂😂😂keep on eating paint chips your almost there 😂😂😂

[@bobhall74]

Tony, I had a factory ordered 70 Challenger 426 4 speed car that had every factory delete possible that wasn't drag related. After blueprinting engine, headers, carb and ignition work, 456 rear axle and running on M&H 7" x 31"tall slicks the car would run 12.21 @ 121 MPH in NRHA "B" stock. I also street raced it and never got beat providing it was in proper tune. However you are correct about the engines, they were a pain in the butt to keep tuned and could be a real dog if they weren't.

[@reubensandwich9249]

In the first video he mentioned how Detroit was different. It'd be good but it'd never be legendary.

[@CaptRich-bi3gp]

U.T. I never once heard or felt that you ever once had a r*c*st idea or notion. You are a car guy through and through. Ive always considered you a car/hot rod expert to the toenail. It bothers me that some took this to a race issue. Those are the ones with the problem not you brother. I've never doubted or questioned your salt U.T., you're a solid man; a good man. Keep on Truck'n Brother! ✌️

[@SSThomas84]

Good on ya man! Glad you’re calling a spade a spade. Shame on Dodge and Mecum for allowing this to get so blown up!

[@brentgoodenberger569]

Uncle Tony dont ever explain yourself to people,your true fans know you and how you are and respect your knowledge on the car scene, love the videos thank you so much for taking time out of your day

[@Dunkaroos248]

I saw that first video and had no clue as to the race of the original owner, nor did I pick up any subtle hint towards that. People will grasp at straws and attribute attitudes onto others that are verifiably false.

[@williamjohnson5030]

Same here. I thought the black ghost name was because the car is black. And Tony’s expertise shouldn’t be questioned. If he says a stock hemi 4 speed runs 14s, that’s what the car can do. And he’s right that a 14 second car isn’t winning any significant street races on Woodward Avenue in the 1970’s.

[@MrPFFlyer]

"Catching Shirley off the starting line"...very few were able to do that. Thanks for sharing that rare moment in drag history.

[@YODAMAN5]

I believed the same as to the story...the car was I bit fast in the hood against other hood cars. I hung with the brothers not for racing cars but martial arts. To this day Im still in touch with some of my black bros. I grew up in da BRONX we did race cars at HUNTS POINT, it was fun and crazy times/ FYI Im an orginal owner of a 73 Top Banana Yellow Challenger I bought it new on May 5th when I got out of the army....my Betsy is now primed out black with a FAST EFI system on a 360 ci. Love your channel and what you do....MOPAR 4 EVER.

[@met454]

Loved hearing about your history in racing, Tony. Great stuff!

[@garryhatchett775]

I thought you were very respectful talking about mr Qualls in previous video; mentioning his military service and years of civic service as a police officer.

[@pierrepoitras1798]

Haters gonna hate. Your work and dedication to your passion is all the world needs.

[@jayraybourn9229]

My grandpa, had a 71 hemi Cuda w/4 spd. Full fiberglass front clip and deck lid. Gutted interior. I think he ran 4.88 or 5.13 gears w/ a spool. Big cam, high compression race fuel only. That car ran mid 12's. This was early to mid 90's

[@garyhull5617]

On my worst day, no one ever told me when to shift........Nor did they on my best day.

[@thorny7138]

I can't help but be on your side Tony. It's hard to believe that a fully loaded challenger ruled the streets of Detroit bone stock.

[@ArtFam520]

Im black. Youre not racist at all to my knowledge. What I find fascinating is all the views and heated comments are all just content. Ypu got 400k views off this!!!! Outstanding!!! Get yo money. Well earned..... Smart content. Very smart.

[@danielroberts698]

When I was a kid our neighbor worked at the Chrysler Plymouth dealership. He told us that they would guarantee anyone who bought a hemi car it would get into the 13’s. If it didn’t you could bring it back and they would tune it.

[@throbbinwoodofcoxley6830]

Of course he said that.

[@voyxu143]

Keep going Tony. These vids are really great.

[@Yo-mamashouse]

Tony is not a racist , he is a racer...

[@jamesharrington4923]

Exactly, stop the race baiting crap and let's street race and build fast cars and go fishing, this is what happens when politicians have nothing else to bitch.about, Build a bridge and they can CAN Get over it!!!

[@Mike-xt2ot]

Uncle Tony , THANK YOU!!! Your articles made a huge impact on me as a young teenager building race cars with everyone elses throw away parts. Your knowledge is unparalleled. You know your SH!t brother.

[@jinglingbabygarage7030]

So this was a race car with no headers, a stock cam complete stock interior nothing altered? Black street racer 67 yo and it looks like a nice original car that ran 14s! You’re good UTG.

[@michaeledge8905]

Years ago I worked on and test drove a hemi charger and found that big motor had no hole shot low end grunt needed to achieve a good ET. I was always impressed by my vision of how a hemi would perform til I drove one. They are more happy mid range and top end.

[@robbsclassics]

I had a 69 Charger in the 90s. The guys I was getting advise from told me a 440 was better in every way for a fun street car.

[@OllamhDrab]

@@robbsclassics My Roadrunner-obsessed cousin educated me on that point when a lot of people were saying 'hemi' in breathless tones, including a few car magazines.

[@BloodRaven1969]

Never had the chance to drive a Hemi, but as a Ford guy I tuned 2 Boss 429's and Tony nailed it that they were slugs. NO bottom end grunt at all. My warmed over 68 Torino GT fastback's 428 4V (nope, not CJ or anything special) with a 4spd and 4.10"s would hole shot either one without trying or pedaling. Neither the Hemi nor the Boss were meant as light to light fighters, and stock not strip fighters either w/o a LOT of tuning and tweaking.

[@robbsclassics]

@@BloodRaven1969 This reminds me of the time I didn't buy a red mustang for $1500. I still remember the Cobra Jet emblem... If only I had it now.

[@BloodRaven1969]

@@robbsclassicsMost of us have at least one of those. I can think of a few myself : (

[@Daniel-fd3wp]

UTG it’s a shame someone brought up racism you be you. I subscribed to your Channel 4 years ago you are as down to earth as can be. 👍

[@rickperez8205]

Tony, I am a former Dodge Dealer. Owned several collectible Mopars. 1971 Challenger 426 (one of 58)all original stock was one of 13:26 many. Stock 426- 14 sec, you’re right. Don’t explain to these people.

[@robbchastain3036]

Thanks, Tony, I'm enjoying your deep dive into this story as one whose father grew up along Woodward in Royal Oak and, after a decade as a moonlighter in California in the Sixties, got to live his dream as an engine builder for two top teams and drivers in the South. And for sure, racing enthusiasts were everyone and when we lived in San Francisco, he would work evenings in a foreign car repair shop on Front Street in San Rafael where the proprietor was a gent named Maurico from Argentina. And they sold an open-wheel car to a group of Black gentlemen in Los Angeles and that was a memorable trip for me as an eight-year-old riding in the backseat of a convertible '64 Impala with the car in tow. And it was early '68 and for some reason the top wouldn't go up and it was freezing in the backseat on the drive down at night. And no complaints from me, it was racing and it was all exciting to me. 😀

[@travis50907]

Wow I remember reading your Mopar articles religiously damn it’s good to see you keep up the great work

[@yukonjack.]

Its funny and sickening in today's age that so many clueless ones throw the worn-out racism word out there, I like Morgan Freeman's response to how do you get rid of racism: Stop talking about it!! Btw he's one of my favorite actors thats down to earth with common sense!✌️

[@BloodRaven1969]

Common sense and life lived type wisdom.

[@Chad-nx7rs]

I personally talked with Godfrey's daughter in law for about 15 minutes at the autorama this past February 2023 inquiring why the future sale. Very polite woman, she explained why.

[@jmonte5899]

An article I found on the Black Ghost High Bidder says he was: Ryan Snyder, a 44-year-old real estate attorney from Bradenton, FL. He wants to get Gregory Qualls blessing on anything he wants to do to the car. He also plans for it to eventually be in a museum.

[@tigerber]

Much props to UTG for calling out a car story that many didn’t believe but were to afraid speak up about for fear of being called a racist and canceled in today’s political environment. Buy the car not the story. Only real car people truly care and understand its all about the car and nothing personal.

[@mraycgz]

Tony i rarely would throw out unsolicited advice but I think this is important. NEVER! And I mean NEVER defend your anti racism with words when accused. Only actions. Words can be manipulated and used out if context. Actions are much easier to prove true. I’m sorry it has to be this way. Race never even crossed my mind and I’m sure yours either. The video stands.

[@superstockamx9064]

1990 I restored a ’66 Hemi 4-speed Satellite. It was restored completely stock; standard bore, standard crane, full factory exhaust, everything stock. I was pretty good tuning it though. Same time my friend just restoring a ’69 A12 (440-6) Super Bee w/ 4-speed and also stock in every way. Both with 3.54 rear gears. We HAD to race! (3x actually). Sorry we didn’t have video recordings like today. But in 3 races, it was always the same. Super Bee leads in 1st & 2nd by a little more than a fender, not until the TOP of 3rd gear does the Hemi pull slightly ahead, by mid 4th gear Hemi takes the win a little more than a fender. This was a back road. You would never go this fast down Main street. Do your homework. Your average Muscle car (not highly tuned) was a low 15 second 1/4 mile drag time. Those that dived into the mid-14’s were the fast ones. Very few touched the 13’s. And I’ve seen tuned but stock 340 A-body cars hit 13’s. THANKS for the video Tony! And let’s not forget the real fast cars of the day like Steve Lisk’s 9-second street Challenger with a Lenco trans or Jack Roush’s Mustang II, also a real 9-second street car.

[@chrisrolph6333]

Stone,Woods and Cook....black team,awesome history.

[@markmark2080]

As an old fart who did a little "for fun" drag racing back in the '60s, it's refreshing to hear these actual stock muscle car times. In 1970, I had a '69 Norton Commando 'S', and it never failed to deliver against the many stock muscle cars of the time...dang, that was fun...

[@wildestcowboy2668]

Did u ever have a MIGHTY MOPAR BIG BLOCK HEMI?

[@markmark2080]

@@wildestcowboy2668 No, I didn't... It's hard to believe it's been 60 years already since I first went to the drags in '63 when the 406 Ford, 409, and 413 were the big boys on the block, it was exciting back then but we had no idea what awaited us in the next half dozen years, especially the birth of the A/FX cars...My high school friends and I raced in lower stock and modified production classes just for fun to see what our cars could do. The '69 Norton Commando 'S' was the FIRST stock production bike to get into the 12 second bracket in the motorcycle magazine road tests, slow by todays standards, but an amazing ride back then.

[@jeffrey501green]

You got it buddy!!

[@wildestcowboy2668]

@@markmark2080 amazing u are still alive and a blessing. If I had lived back then I would have had a 68 HEMI dart

[@markmark2080]

@@wildestcowboy2668 That was out of my means, I had a '70 VW, a '68 Chevy van, an $11,500 house w/ $132 a month payment, a wife, AND a 750 cc "HEMI" Norton... darn, I'd love to have that old van today...😂

[@petem6291]

Tony , back in 1980 I was 15 and I met this young guy ( he was black . and I think you know him ) he had a 70 black challenger 426 hemi ? ( maybe 440 ) i he had a tuff looking race car ,,, He called him self HOLLOY WOOD . he hung out at this gas station on Merrick road... One brother owned one station and the other brother owned the station across the street ..... the two station were about 2 miles east of Motion Performance . just a side note after the one station closed ( the rent was to Hight ) the one bro became a Snapon dealer for the next 30 years , any way Tony I Appreciate all the hard work you put into your channel .....

[@stev3548]

FWIW, if someone says "you're racist", they're acting in bad faith and defending yourself is a tacit admission of guilt to such a person. The correct answer is "No, and i will not be slandered as such.", end of.

[@craigtittsworth9440]

Great insight bud, THANK YOU for sharing! ...and YES you are more than qualified to say what you did. All I can say is " welcome to the world of social media " ...where IGNORANCE IS BLISS and if someone doesn't agree with you ( because of their own ignorance or stupidity) they scream " racism." It's the popular thing to do now days, BUT it's absurd and total foolish B.S. ... Keep posting stuff we love it!

[@armyjeep4]

Every year I go to the Mopar Nats,and every damn year there's always that one guy, you know the guy, his story usually goes like this.... " My uncle had a factory built '71 Coronet Hemi police car that sure, isn't supposed to exist,but he had connections at the factory and they snuck it out the back door,it would do 190 on the freeway stock"

[@richardbutton1179]

You might be surprised how many of those stories are true.

[@jasonrackawack9369]

You forgot the "he would tape a $100 bill to the dashboard....." part🙄

[@jerimahjohnson8698]

Guys I had one... A 69 383 road runner...a Delaware car with a super bird wing on it. Right from creative industry. I had the invoice and receipts.

[@North49191]

I live in Windsor Ontario (Chrysler Assembly plant). Old guys here would take about walking out with performance parts and ordering a car new and following personally down the line to put extras on it. They also drank their brains out in the parking lot at lunchtime.

[@Mastermindyoung14]

​@@richardbutton1179they'd be a lot more believable with factory build sheets. Haven't seen enough to "surprise" me

[@brucejones2354]

Thank you Tony for this response. I love listening to you when you recount the stories of your life because it reminds me of a great time in my life. Don't stop........do more......thanks

[@someguy-xi2xq]

Uncle Tony is right. In 1979 i bought a 1970 R/T challenger 440 4 speed for 600 bucks. Needed a clutch. These videos make me cry about that car. Bought a 73 cuda, also 600 bucks needed an engine. In those days there were lots of them cool cars around. By the 80s they were worn out and cheap used cars. At that time there was kids with super birds and one guy even had a white daytona charger. The good ol days.

[@scarface9617]

Tony has been a legend.. before many of us was born.. I’m in my mid40s.. I remember watching his car shows on tv with my older brothers 30+yrs ago.. Great guy!

[@AtZero138]

I've been Inspired to Write my own Myth.. regarding my 68 Dart.. named Cecile.. aka the Ghost of the 22 freeway.. haha

[@lasskinn474]

was it the one that was once used to bring a dying child to the hospital just in time despite sheriff sheriff chasing with a souped up vette and that it made it in time because the driver started in second gear?

[@AtZero138]

@@lasskinn474 🤔

[@skimask5911]

I remember Cecil, it was a 8 second car and always caught traction even in the rain.

[@AtZero138]

@@skimask5911 🤘😎

[@AtZero138]

@@skimask5911 kzbin.infoq3bgm3FK09I?feature=share from my Brother ARY channel.. the Ghost of the 22 freeway.. Cecile video

[@brettgast]

People need to hear this. I was wrapped up in the "black ghost" story when it first came out. But as UT lays out it falls apart quickly. You have to put it together backwards from when it sold for boo koo money. This is sad.

[@alanhoutz5513]

I commented on your other video, and as a former Challenger owner, I agree with you. I saw the Black Ghost video, and it was a great story. Fun to listen to, but I agree. He raced other guys in their daily drivers, and probably won quite a few of those. As for the street racing community, the one I raced in over in western PA, everyone knew everyone, or at least their cars. If that car was such a terror, it would have had a much bigger rep. People would have talked about it, a lot!

[@paulmoore4651]

Great video! I bought a "V" code 70 Charger R/T in 1983, restored (loosley fixed up, new quarters, paint) with a not original engine, 383 magnum, somewhat built, hemi 4 spd, $2800 Canadian! Managed to loose my license for 4 years with that car.

[@jumpinjojo]

*Lose.

[@rockymeyers4030]

Here's an idea, re name bottle rocket to "The Grey Corpse" and sell it at auction

[@skimask5911]

I remember the Grey Corpse, I raced against it many nights. Sometimes we raced against the local cop cars because they wanted to test them out. I think it ran 8s but it always hooked no matter the weather.

[@cargasm383]

I raced the grey corpse back in the day. I died. that's how it got the name. it would beat you then disappear into the night leaving your corpse behind. Pretty sure it was factory tuned to run on mustard gas.

[@motov8-garage832]

😂

[@gteefxr3094]

It runs similar "ETs," doesn't it?

[@cargasm383]

@@gteefxr3094 possibly, Not sure off the top of my head. I'll have to "phone home" to find out.

[@djcjr1x1]

I'm sure my brother has that mopar action issue around, you guys used to make us laugh our asses off back then! The sense of humor for a car magazine was what put you guys over the top!😆😆😆 A main reason I still watch your videos great job.👍👍🤓

[@masterofnonetv8361]

I figured the story was BS when I heard the part about the $100 bill on the dash, that story goes around in car culture like fisherman talking about the massive catfish the divers found below your local dam, I know many of y'all have heard that one.

[@rogadog77]

Thank you Tony for some truth....born n raised in the D and know the real history of this car, it was badass but NOT what they claimed

[@Carstuff111]

There are so many people these days that get offended by the truth and fake things being called out, it automatically makes you the "bad" person. Screw all that noise. Don't let those people ruin your day. Excuse my language, but, keep calling out the bullshit. People need to know the truth even if they can't handle it. Also, I rather have a 440 on the street over a 426 Hemi when it comes to big block power. Though I seriously want the 318 out of my friend's Ramcharger to swap into a 4 speed Dart or something light weight of that era.

[@unclemudfrogsgarage6590]

I'm glad you stood by your guns and exposed this. I never heard of this car until a few months ago. I am 67 and remember reading your magazine and many like it about the many hemi cars and I agreed with your 14 second quarter. Back in the day, you could throw a baseball in any direction and hit a 10-11 second street racer. Good job, Uncle Tony. Keep up the good work. I am a big Dodge fan. I've had 6 Dodge Chargers. My favorite was 1968 Dodge Charger, 383, 4 speed. What a great car.

[@chadkarmann8067]

So. What I am getting is the "Black Ghost" Challenger was owned by a black cop. skin pigmentation was NEVER brought up in anything I read. That said. The car itself is EXACTLY as you say. "Race" has nothing to do with it. If you want to see a legendary man's car hit the auction block then you may want to find Big Willy Robinson's Daytona. That is a truly legendary man with a legendary car. God Bless you Tony!

[@derekbowbrick6233]

Nice to hear a shout out to those early ladies and their legacy. I was a big Shirley fan myself, but the first one Shirley Shahan, Dragonlady, and not the quick chick who garnered way to much attention away from the elder ladies.

[@NOLAZACK]

Do you say like this clown that she was blacker than black?

[@raulzombiemachete]

17:20 if that’s what his dad really wanted, mission accomplished. I understands what your saying Tony, (about everything your saying) BUT DANG this was a good hustle 😂

[@patcampbell9766]

My first time seeing your posts though I have read a few of your magazines in the past. Awesome job of telling it like it is a lot of great info.

[@deuceswild1304]

First time watching your videos. Good to see someone calling out this story. it's a neat story, but after seeing pictures and videos of the car I knew there was no way this car was a street racing legend. I learned a lot more after watching your last 2 videos. Sad that people do this all for a $$$. Great channel I will be watching.