Black Ghost - Hemi Challenger

[southernfriedcj]

Originally Posted by TarheelRyan

I was just one of several hundred people at Mecum that day that overpaid for a car...nothing less and nothing more. My garage is open to anyone at anytime. If anyone that reads this message is ever in the Bradenton, Florida area, shoot me a message as you are welcome to stop by...and yes The Black Ghost will be there.

You didn't overpay. You paid what the car was worth to you.

Next time I'm down your way I'd love to see the car. I'm one of the folks that prefers Challengers over Cudas. I owned a couple Challenger T/As myself.

[lowmile]

Every town in America had guys and cars that street raced. Did this story seem over done sure it did. A few years I was standing around in a group of seven or eight guys at a cars show about 30 miles from my home town. I didn't know any of them but they were swapping street racing stories, one of them brings up my name and starts in on a story. They don't know its me standing there and I don't say a word. The guy tells the story and I sound like a street racing legend so of course I just sit back and listen because to hear him tell it I was a lot meaner and my car was a hell of lot faster than it ever was. I walked off and chuckled to myself. not about to set the record straight. I said all that to say this, no car from that era ever gets slower or the the story less intense, as time passes. I would the imagine that the person who purchased the car did it for the car itself and took the story for for what it is, one more embellished tale about a time and passion that we'd all like to revisit.

[the427king]

Its safe to say the car didnt get into the library of Congress as a historically significant vehicle, displayed at the National Mall in front of the white house , as the subject of a movie ,and used as a last call version of the 2023 dodge challenger solely because its a high optioned , low production 2 family member owned challenger. It needed embellishment and people pushing the car without fully fact checking evidently to get there. I believe someone from Dodge said in an article they were on board with the car the second they were told about it,they didnt hesitate. It was said to be undefeated in one article, and in another it "usually " won. Everyone is quick to say they dont care if the story is made up, its a great car anyway ...really????? YES, the true complete story about the car does matter if that "story" is the reason all the acccolades/attention/pedigree was given to the car in the first place. Just my 02 cents that dont matter

[GotGrunt]

From the hagerty article:

“He taped a $100 bill to the dash and told me … ‘When I say go, if you can reach it, it’s yours,’” Gregory says. Just as Gregory began to reach for the bill, his father hit the gas, and he was immediately pinned back against the seat. “I couldn’t get it … and I was scared. I remember that.”

Must be one helluva 13 second car I can’t even count the number of times I’ve heard this same story about the $100 bill. You hear it at every car show.

[cook_dw]

I used to do the same thing when I was a teenager and I took my buddies out in my dad's black SS/RS L78 (L34 originally) car. It would just destroy a set of cheap ole 15" radials of the early 90's. I was using $5's not $100's though.. We were just dumb hick kids though. Sorta like the guy in the video (which is ok in my book).. We all had greasy finger nails and didn't give a shit what people thought of us. Still don't.

[whitetop]

Here is a real deal 427 Nova line em up serious street racer from my area back in the day. Not a poser or show car...it was built to run races on the street.
Notice the crude gauge mounting setup-all about function, not show car looks, toggle switch behind steering wheel to shut off the tailights, cb radio.
Has not been out since the late 70's.
I took these photos back in the 90's.

[70 copo]

Originally Posted by the427king

Its safe to say the car didnt get into the library of Congress as a historically significant vehicle, displayed at the National Mall in front of the white house , as the subject of a movie ,and used as a last call version of the 2023 dodge challenger solely because its a high optioned , low production 2 family member owned challenger. It needed embellishment and people pushing the car without fully fact checking evidently to get there. I believe someone from Dodge said in an article they were on board with the car the second they were told about it,they didnt hesitate. It was said to be undefeated in one article, and in another it "usually " won. Everyone is quick to say they dont care if the story is made up, its a great car anyway ...really????? YES, the true complete story about the car does matter if that "story" is the reason all the acccolades/attention/pedigree was given to the car in the first place. Just my 02 cents that dont matter

Excellent analysis above.

I might be the only person on this forum that actually negotiated successfully with the same corporate partners to get a car in the cube and recognized by the HVA.

We had all the proof needed. In the end it was a financial calculation by the corporate interests... was the story compelling enough to make money on?

Once that line was crossed they were in hook line and sinker. I commented on and even authored the press release materials. I insisted on 100% facts and no embellishments. That was THE struggle because a corporate interest always has a marketing plan.

[bashton]

Congrats go out to Ryan on his acquisition of a truly unique and incredibly interesting and very real car.

A few facts to ponder;

1. Tony DeFeo, who certainly is knowledgeable and has been around for a while, has absolutely become a hack who seems to have no purpose but to add to his YouTube subscriber list. Heck...he can't even pronounce Mecum properly. He wasn't there then and he doesn't do his research. I have lost ALL respect I may have had for him after watching his various YouTube videos over the past few years, even before this.

2. I was born and raised in Detroit and spent a considerable amount of time partaking in various forms of, shall we say, unauthorized after hours activities as a teenager. I made a considerable amount of money in my (then) brand spanking new black 1977 Sport Fury that received a massaged 440-6 after the 12k warrantee was up. Has Tony ever heard about that one? While I was racing after Godfrey was, many of us knew all about him. And NO...I wasnt faster than the Silver Bullitt and knew enough to stay away from him.

3. NO...I never raced the Silver Bullitt or the Gapp & Roush Mustang or Steve Lisks Challenger or anything else that clearly would have devoured me, as I am sure Godfrey wouldn't have. I'm also sure they would not have unloaded from the trailer to race Godfrey.

4. There were literally hundreds of cars street racing at that time. Those of us out there certainly wouldn't waste our time (and money!) racing those cars unless we had something to bring to the table.

5. I absolutely was fully aware of the "very fast" black Challenger and also knew it was being run by a Police Officer even before I was ever out there.

6. There was a LOT of activity that took place outside of Woodward and Telegraph. Wonder if Mr. DeFeo ever heard of French Rd? Probably not...

7. Much of the racing took place SOUTH of 8 Mile road. Being a DPD Officer, Godfrey may have chosen to not cross the line, as he was obviously well connected in that area.

8. The Quall's Family NEVER contacted the HMVA. In fact, I spent hours with the family back in 2015 assisting with a plan to properly bring the car out into the public.

9. Gregory's plan from DAY ONE was to honor his Father and his legacy for a few years. When I learned that he was a decorated Vietnam Vet, an honored DPD Motorcycle cop and that he went BACK into the military to serve again, I knew people would love to hear the story of a TRUE American Hero. There is no disputing this.

10. Mr. DeFeo's totally false implication that Greg's intention was to make a movie is 100% off. The "trailer" that is online was created by an outside person with absolutely NO input from Greg or his family. It was created by a fan of the car who suggested to Greg that it would be really neat to see a movie about Godfrey. Hopefully in the future we WILL see a movie based on Godfreys amazing story.

11. Godfrey NEVER told Greg to never sell the car. He told him it was a very special car and to do some research. I believe he was telling Greg that the car had significant value and that it could benefit his family. That was most likely why he held onto it for so many years as he certainly could have sold it himself. I have spoken to several people that offered him a significant amount of money over the years. I believe Godfrey made sure to sign off the title to Greg so that the end result would be beneficial to Greg, his wife and his two Grandkids.

This is a PRIME example of someone jumping on an opportunity to build up their YouTube subscriber list without doing the proper research. "Yeah...I read it on the internet, so it must be true!"

I'll step off my soapbox now....

Mr. DeFeo;shame on you. Karma is real and you'll get yours.

Ryan; CONGRATULATIONS! I am so happy to see a true enthusiast who "gets it" and who shares his passion and enthusiasm with those of us who live and breath all the POSITIVE things this hobby offers.

Bashton

[Xplantdad]

Thanks Bob!

[Steve Shauger]

I just came upon the thread this afternoon. When the thread was opened who knew the motivation of the buyer. We had a lot of opinions, but what takes the cake is Youtube Tony. Based on what I have observed take Tony's opinion with a grain of salt, he had no intimate knowledge and again attempted to trash the car and family with no facts. Thanks Bob (Ashton) for providing facts and context to the Black Ghost.

To the buyer who purchased the car for its styling, performance and rarity kudos. Ryan is an example of a true enthusiast because he uses his cars (not wall art) he appreciates the styling, embraces the flaws of 60's musclecars and shares his cars, so others can learn and appreciate them. I like the idea of giving the Porsche, Lamborghini, Ferrari folks at the Cars and Coffee a little ribbing and perhaps converting a few.

Congratulations and enjoy your stellar collection!!!!!