This guy is an idiot, same guy that made a video of hemi lifter failures because of a design flaw in the oiling system. Plus he is not old enough to have been in the street racing scene in 1970-72. Plus a lot of people did not buy cars to intentionally street race but ended up doing it
The Black Ghost....a different perspective!
I stumbled across this today and found it very intersting. I do not subscribe to thie guys channel. I think this is nothing more than his opinion based on experience. But, the points he makes about real street racing cars on that era are very true. Nobody who was serious about street racing bought a new car with all the options checked and if you were around any street racing then, you know that. This car was not a serious street racing car
Regardless, an interesting video:
Regardless, an interesting video:
1 - 20 of 24 Posts
I am doubtful that this guy has it pegged and everyone else who did their due diligence (including the buyer) were "scammed". Very unlikely. As in impossible.
I had a school mate that had a 70 Hemi Challenger 4 spd and it ran 13 second 1/4s all the time. After he added Super Stock Springs and slicks he was close to 12s without any engine mods.I am doubtful that this guy has it pegged and everyone else who did their due diligence (including the buyer) were "scammed". Very unlikely. As in impossible.
All I know is someone has $975k and someone else is complaining about it after the fact. $975k goes a long way to drowning out all kinds of background noise.
I think Uncle Tony may be onto something. He's right about the Challenger being a stock car. It doesn't scream "street race car" to me. I remember when the story about the Black Ghost came out. I thought it was a neat story. I wondered why nobody ever heard of the car, but didn't think much about it. I'd like to know what the real 70s Detroit street racers think about the car. I have a friend who grew up in Detroit in the late 60s and through the 70s. I wish I could ask his late father about it. They were in the middle of the drag racing scene in Detroit and his father was well known because of his pin striping talents. I haven't talked to my friend in a while, but I'm going to ask him if he heard of the Black Ghost Challenger when he was growing up.
I have a theory that the man wasn't a real street racer. He was a guy who had a pretty fast factory car. He probably raced the car on the street occasionally like tons of people have, who aren't actual die hard "street racers". He probably cherry picked the cars he raced like most folks do. He called his car the "Black Ghost". Many people name their cars. He told the "street racing" stories over the years and embelllished them like many people do. His son heard the stories and believed his father, like most children do. All of this has been over-hyped by Hagerty, Dodge, and Mr. Qualls. It could have started out as just a cool story, but it's obvious to me people have seen an opportunity to make money.
I have a theory that the man wasn't a real street racer. He was a guy who had a pretty fast factory car. He probably raced the car on the street occasionally like tons of people have, who aren't actual die hard "street racers". He probably cherry picked the cars he raced like most folks do. He called his car the "Black Ghost". Many people name their cars. He told the "street racing" stories over the years and embelllished them like many people do. His son heard the stories and believed his father, like most children do. All of this has been over-hyped by Hagerty, Dodge, and Mr. Qualls. It could have started out as just a cool story, but it's obvious to me people have seen an opportunity to make money.
I don’t think this story is far fetched. It sounds like a very strong willed individual that knew how to drive with a fast car. Decorated Viet Nam veteran turned Detroit police officer turned Green Beret. Also makes sense he would race and vanish considering he was a police officer leading to others naming his car The Black Ghost. Most likey raced against other stock muscle cars. I don’t think he was lining up against cars with blowers sticking out of the hood. Whatever the truth is it’s a cool story of what sounds like a very standup guy. God knows we can use some of that now.
I too think U.T. is on to something. He’s been a life long Mopar guy and race mechanic so I don’t think he’s just spewing out fake news. Never heard of this car before the Dodge hype and stories showed up out of no where a couple of years ago. Same goes for the King Daytona.
The King stuff is the worse because he is a Fake / Stolen Valor individual who lied about his service. The King should of been a Petty Throwback he drove a Charger in 73 and he deserved to have something to commemorate his legacy.I too think U.T. is on to something. He’s been a life long Mopar guy and race mechanic so I don’t think he’s just spewing out fake news. Never heard of this car before the Dodge hype and stories showed up out of no where a couple of years ago. Same goes for the King Daytona.
I’m glad you said this. I saw the video last night and had made some comments on his channel. Im not getting into the argument of the history of the car, but people can’t keep saying 14 second car like an idiot when as you stated it’s not. It’s faster than that. Btw on YouTube I’m “C”. Thank you.I had a school mate that had a 70 Hemi Challenger 4 spd and it ran 13 second 1/4s all the time. After he added Super Stock Springs and slicks he was close to 12s without any engine mods.
- Chris
Some interesting thoughts have been posted. I also have an opinion on the story....
1. I believe 100% Mr Qualls Sr. was an American hero who returned from the hell of Vietnam and bought his dream car. Several returning vets in my small town did the same.
2. I believe 100% he street raced the car and probably beat most if not all of the cars he raced as long as they were near factory spec cars. I also think U.T. is full of crap on the 14 sec quarter...that car should run low 13s all day long.
3. I also believe he most likely did not drive the car much so the mileage is probably correct at 45k. Cars deteriorate in storeage which would explain the current appearance of the car.
What does make me wonder is the legend part. I first heard about the car a couple of years ago and it is a great story. But the story has grown so much since it makes me wonder.
I know nothing of the Jr. Mr Qualls other than what I've seen on the internet. He seems like a good guy who now has a nice nest egg to invest and use to enrich his family's life. I hope he honors his father by using the money wisely.
My opinon....FWITW
1. I believe 100% Mr Qualls Sr. was an American hero who returned from the hell of Vietnam and bought his dream car. Several returning vets in my small town did the same.
2. I believe 100% he street raced the car and probably beat most if not all of the cars he raced as long as they were near factory spec cars. I also think U.T. is full of crap on the 14 sec quarter...that car should run low 13s all day long.
3. I also believe he most likely did not drive the car much so the mileage is probably correct at 45k. Cars deteriorate in storeage which would explain the current appearance of the car.
What does make me wonder is the legend part. I first heard about the car a couple of years ago and it is a great story. But the story has grown so much since it makes me wonder.
I know nothing of the Jr. Mr Qualls other than what I've seen on the internet. He seems like a good guy who now has a nice nest egg to invest and use to enrich his family's life. I hope he honors his father by using the money wisely.
My opinon....FWITW
Hemi E-bodies may have been 13.6 second cars from the factory. At least that's what the magazines of the day stated. The vast majority of Hemi E-bodies were probably 14 second cars. Magazine test cars were typically well tuned if not ringers. We've all heard stories of magazine test cars fitted with bigger exhaust, blueprinted engines, more displacement, etc. Most of them were also driven by well seasoned drivers. Cars off dealer lots weren't always in great tune (fuel injection has worked wonders for today's factory cars) and were also driven by untrained drivers. So, when Uncle Tony states that a 1970 Hemi Challenger is a 14 second car from the factory, he probably isn't wrong.
I good running, completely stock 426 Hemi four speed car with a 4.10 rear gears is a 13 second car all day long. Notice I said good running. They weren’t easy to keep running good but if you had skills they were that quick.
Exactly, if you know how to launch them with the terrible tires of the day. Slicks made a hell of a difference back then , combine them with Super Stock springs that planted the rear end and oh boy.I good running, completely stock 426 Hemi four speed car with a 4.10 rear gears is a 13 second car all day long. Notice I said good running. They weren’t easy to keep running good but if you had skills they were that quick.
You cant imagine the Joys of Tuning those Engines back then Points Condenser, Carb Air / Fuel Adjustments, Timing, Etc., Grew up doing that stuff but its something many of the younger generations will never get. They did not have Radar Guns, and the Electronics to measure E/T and other things like there is now so you have to keep that in mind. Yes Muscle Car's and Pony Car's with the Big Engines were hard to beat any car could be beaten back then and reaction time, grip is what won or lost on Track or Street still same today with that part. When discussing this saying oh that is not that fast etc., back then things were different period so if your not impressed you will simply never get it that simple. If you grew up knowing cars from the 60's and early 70's which were everywhere when I was growing up by all means a Hemi or 440 Anything Was a Beast in Big Block world and there were some Small Blocks from Hell back then as well. The 340 Small Block, 350 / 327 Chevy Engines Heck Grumpy Jenkins had the hardest to beat small blocks, Fords the 427 and 429 big Blocks the 351 Cleveland, were solid contenders.
Regardless the Ghost was such a rare car and shame that it's legacy with the Family End's and the Chapter is closed. I give it less then a year or 2 back on Mecum or Barrett Jackson.
Regardless the Ghost was such a rare car and shame that it's legacy with the Family End's and the Chapter is closed. I give it less then a year or 2 back on Mecum or Barrett Jackson.
FWIW, My B body 440 375 HP rated torquflite with 3.23 rear on narrow street radials turned 14.0. Changed to 3.91 and turned 13.0. I don't believe a Street Hemi was only a 14. second car.
I was able to manage a 13.91 with my 70 Duster 340 4spd with a sure grip 3.91 gear but not on the stock E70 14, I put L70x14 so a lot more tire patch, no engine mods.FWIW, My B body 440 375 HP rated torquflite with 3.23 rear on narrow street radials turned 14.0. Changed to 3.91 and turned 13.0. I don't believe a Street Hemi was only a 14. second car.
I watched that video. This guy makes some pretty big assumptions and claims to prop up his theory, and I don't buy most of his theory.
So a highly optioned car isn't a street racer - I call BS on that.
Hemi Challengers were mid 14 second cars - I call BS on that. Hemi cars in a healthy state of tune were faster than what this idiot claims.
The car looks like it has 145K on the odo - I call BS there, a car can be in storage as this car was and deteriorate. This car was simply put in a garage, no climate control, etc.
The story of the black ghost has been validated by people that raced on those streets. Has the story been hyped? Sure, like any yarn the tale gets taller each time it's told.
So a highly optioned car isn't a street racer - I call BS on that.
Hemi Challengers were mid 14 second cars - I call BS on that. Hemi cars in a healthy state of tune were faster than what this idiot claims.
The car looks like it has 145K on the odo - I call BS there, a car can be in storage as this car was and deteriorate. This car was simply put in a garage, no climate control, etc.
The story of the black ghost has been validated by people that raced on those streets. Has the story been hyped? Sure, like any yarn the tale gets taller each time it's told.
Too many Youtube know it all's and think they are experts once their videos get a ton of watches. So many seem to get the big head social media star syndrome.
I watched that video. This guy makes some pretty big assumptions and claims to prop up his theory, and I don't buy most of his theory.
So a highly optioned car isn't a street racer - I call BS on that.
Hemi Challengers were mid 14 second cars - I call BS on that. Hemi cars in a healthy state of tune were faster than what this idiot claims.
The car looks like it has 145K on the odo - I call BS there, a car can be in storage as this car was and deteriorate. This car was simply put in a garage, no climate control, etc.
The story of the black ghost has been validated by people that raced on those streets. Has the story been hyped? Sure, like any yarn the tale gets taller each time it's told.
Well said.
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