An iconic Dodge Challenger known as the 'Black Ghost' which was used by an off-duty police officer for illegal street races in 1970s Detroit is about to head to auction, where it's expected to sell for millions.
The Challenger, which was placed on the Library of Congress' National Historic Vehicle Registry and has been displayed at the National Mall in Washington, will go up for bid at the Mecum Spring Classic in May.
Mecum Auctions vice president of consignments Frank Mecum said that 'this is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, and the value is well into seven figures.'
The 1970 Dodge Challenger R/T SE was owned by Motor City cop and Army veteran Godfrey 'Dennis' Qualls.
An iconic Dodge Challenger known as the 'Black Ghost' which was used by an off-duty police officer for illegal street races in 1970s Detroit is about to head to auction, where it's expected to sell for millions
Qualls - who served in the 1960s and was awarded a Purple Heart - was infamous for picking the spots where he'd show up to the races on Woodward and Telegraph Avenues in Detroit and would try to remain as inconspicuous as possible due to his job.
However, he'd almost always win with the famed muscle car and then quickly drive away.
Qualls' ability to win races and then speed away before being recognized led to the 'Black Ghost' nickname.
The car and its driver quit the scene after a few years, with his identity and the location of his wheels a hidden secret.
In 2014, however, Qualls told his son Gregory about the car, which he remembered from riding alongside as a boy.
'We'd go for rides,' Gregory told the Detroit Free Press in 2020. 'I'd know Dad was taking the car out because starting it shook the house.'
He'd even play a game with his son, taping $100 bill to the dashboard before he started and saying if the boy could grab it, he could keep it.
The Challenger, which was placed on the Library of Congress' National Historic Vehicle Registry and has been displayed at the National Mall in Washington, will go up for bid at the Mecum Spring Classic in May
The 1970 Dodge Challenger R/T SE was owned by Motor City cop and Army veteran Godfrey 'Dennis' Qualls
Qualls - who served in the 1960s and was awarded a Purple Heart - was infamous for picking the spots where he'd show up to the races on Woodward and Telegraph Avenues in Detroit and would try to remain as inconspicuous as possible due to his job
'He hit the gas and I flew to the back of the seat,' he said, laughing. 'I never touched that bill.'
The next year, Dennis Qualls passed away from prostate cancer and left the Black Ghost to his son.
Gregory Qualls got together a group of friends and fixed the vehicle and revealed it to the rest of the world, with the news of its reemergence leading to its place on the National Vehicle Historic Registry, according to Fox News.
Despite the black exterior, the top of the car is actually very colorful, with a gator skin pattern on the roof.
In honor of the Black Ghost, Dodge produced a limited run of 300 2023 Dodge Challenger SRT Hellcat Redeyes as a tribute.
In 2014, however, Qualls told his son Gregory (pictured center left) about the car, which he remembered from riding alongside as a boy
In honor of the Black Ghost, Dodge produced a limited run of 300 2023 Dodge Challenger SRT Hellcat Redeyes as a tribute
The car is expected to sell for millions at the Mecum Auction in Indianapolis in May
Despite the black exterior, the top of the car is actually very colorful, with a gator skin pattern on the roof
The cars are powered by an 807 hp supercharged V8. Whereas Qualls paid just over $5,000 for the 1970 version, the tributes will run you about $100,000.
That may end up a bargain compared to the at least seven figure pricetag Mecum Auctions may end up selling the original for.
It will be a showpiece for the famous auctioneer's event in Indianapolis this May.
Experts say that some of the Black Ghost's parts - the Hemi and 4-speed manual transmission and high-quality survivors - would be worth hundreds of thousands of dollars on their own.
The car was left unrestored by Qualls' son at 45,000 miles, as he used it largely to drive it to car shows, though he would often take his own son, Gregory Jr., on short rides in the Black Ghost, keeping the car's legacy going.
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