• The 1970 Dodge Challenger R/T SE “Black Ghost” bought for $975,000 on the Mecum sale in Indianapolis—$1,072,500 after charges.
• The Black Ghost has joined the Nationwide Historic Automobile Affiliation registry, together with the likes of the Ford Mustang from Bullitt.
• This particular Mopar impressed one of many ultimate editions of the present Dodge Challenger.

The extremely anticipated day has lastly come for the legendary 1970 Dodge Challenger dubbed Black Ghost. This legendary Mopar automotive was street-raced in its day and flexed its Hemi round Detroit’s streets. Although, after being saved away by Godfrey Qualls, this potent Mopar turned a sought-after fable amongst collectors and muscle automotive fans alike. Since its return to the general public eye, this Challenger has been enshrined within the Nationwide Historic Automobile Affiliation, received awards at concours across the nation, and, now, has a brand new proprietor.

Earlier than his demise, Godfrey Qualls handed alongside this piece of muscle-car historical past to his son, Gregory, who went on a mission to get this Challenger again on the street and share his father’s prized Mopar with the world. This oddly ordered Mopar turned a success at concourses and muscle-car fanatic reveals after its minor mechanical restoration, however now it is time for a brand new life.

For these out of the loop, the Black Ghost Challenger instructions such lore due to the way it was constructed, and what it did underneath Godfrey’s stewardship. Already uncommon, this 426-Hemi-powered Challenger is backed by a sought-after four-speed guide transmission. Ordered as an R/T SE, this Challenger was optioned with the posh appointments you’d discover with a particular version and the hi-po elements for the R/T. Topping off the combination, the gator-grain vinyl roof was a manufacturing facility accident however provides to the automotive’s lore.

After leaving the manufacturing facility, Godfrey used the Challenger as you’d anticipate: he loved it. This muscle machine did double obligation as common transportation and helped Godfrey haul his Norton bikes, whereas flexing its muscle groups on the Detroit streets.

The guts of the Black Ghost is a 426-cubic-inch Hemi V-8.

When you’re questioning if Gregory will miss the automotive, effectively, that is apparent. “I’ll miss the automotive, however I notice I do not want the automotive,” Gregory says. “Sooner or later in time, once I first received the automotive out of the storage, I actually wanted the automotive. After shedding my dad, you realize—it was a factor for me to do to recollect him. However then, as individuals began listening to the tales and I began studying issues in regards to the tales and in regards to the automotive, I spotted my dad’s all the time with me. I do not essentially want the automotive anymore—I can lastly let it go. That is the place I am at with it now.”

Whereas the Black Ghost is likely to be shifting beneath a brand new roof, the Qualls household will all the time be hooked up to the automotive. Gregory says, “The automotive will all the time be recognized, and my dad’s story will all the time be advised. I feel, for me, that is the largest honor of the issues that might occur with this automotive story, is that the automotive story will reside without end.”

The newest chapter on this legend’s story occurred on the Mecum Spring Traditional, the place it hammered for $975,000. It is exhausting to foretell the long run, however we expect this piece of historical past might be celebrated for a very long time.

Wesley Wren has spent his total life round vehicles, whether or not it’s dressing up as his father’s 1954 Ford for Halloween as a toddler, repairing vehicles in school or amassing irritating items of historical past—and most issues in between. Wesley is the present steward of a 1954 Ford Crestline Victoria, a 1975 Harley-Davidson FXE and a 1959 Ford Fairlane 500 Galaxie. Oh yeah, and a 2005 Kia Sedona.