After traveling with the “Black Ghost” for six years and appearing at dozens of shows, Gregory Qualls made the decision to sell the car. As a single-family vehicle, a 1970 Challenger survivor car – basically an unrestored, unmodified collector car — with nearly every bit of paperwork that came with its purchase was going to get a great price at auction, regardless of its history. Of course, the storied drag racing history of the Black Ghost, its status as part of the National Historic Vehicle Register, and Godfrey’s service to his nation and community helped to raise the value of this unique collector’s vehicle.
The decision to sell couldn’t have been an easy one. Gregory has presented conflicting retellings as to whether Godfrey Qualls told his son, “Don’t give my f***ing car away,” or, “Don’t sell my f***ing car!” when he signed the Challenger’s title over, but in the end, it was Gregory Qualls’ property to do with as he wished. The promise of a potential million-dollar sale couldn’t have hurt -– that’s nearly 10 times the price tag of a comparable Charger.
Money like that can be life-changing – as Gregory Qualls said in an interview with Hagerty, “The main reason is it’s a chance to help my family, to give them opportunities they may not have otherwise.” On May 19, 2023, the 1970 Dodge Challenger R/T-SE known as the Black Ghost was sold to a private collector for $975,000.
