Cop By Day, Mysterious Racer By Night: The Legend Of The Black Ghost (20 Photos + 1 Video)

During the day he kept order in a police uniform, and at night he rushed through the streets. Sounds almost like a movie script, but it was reality. Godfrey Qualls lived an extraordinary life and drove an extraordinary car.





America in the late 1960s and early 1970s was a paradise for lovers of fast cars. Gasoline cost nothing, control cameras speed has not yet been invented, and manufacturers are in pursuit of loyalty customers installed real racing engines in civilian cars. Well, what will young and "free" people do when they have garages are super powerful beautiful cars?! Of course there will chase! We can say: motorsport stepped into the masses;)



In 1969, Godfrey Qualls was demobilized from the 82nd Airborne division of the US Army and joined the Detroit Police Department. By according to relatives and friends, Godfrey was the embodiment of the motto of the US police "serve and protect", an honest and decent person, and for courage in During his military service, he earned the Order of the Purple Heart. All in all, the man was worthy.

Godfrey Qualls in the army...





...and in the police force.



Returning to civilian life, Mr. Qualls, so as not to lower the level adrenaline in the blood, purchased a 7-liter Dodge Challenger 1970 model of the year. The Hemi engine was officially producing 425 horsepower by the end of the 1970s. forces, but in fact all 470. Just think about it, almost 500 horsepower strength! Until the fuel crisis hit, power was really accessible to the broad masses of the American population. Beyond racing engine, Godfrey Qualls ordered the Challenger with a manual gears (that year, the combination of the top engine and "mechanics" was chosen only 23 people).







Interestingly, the roof of the car is covered with imitation crocodile skin, but Godfrey wanted a plain black vinyl top when ordering. It was "cant" Dodge, so Qualls' Challenger has unique characteristics and finishes, there is no other like it. Although all these the nuances pale in comparison to the shady lives that Godfrey and Dodge led challenger. They were running illegal races on the streets of Detroit!







The joke was that in no case should a regular policeman was to get caught by colleagues or reveal their identity. So Dodge unexpectedly appeared at the races, won the race and disappeared "in English", sometimes for several weeks. And no one knew who was sitting behind driving the Challenger! The most interesting thing is that during the absence of the Internet and social networks, the fame of the secretive Challenger has spread throughout America, making the driver and the car itself legends! dodge deserved respectful nickname "Black Ghost" - "Black Chost", included in American car culture! The policeman's family knew how owns a powerful car, once Godfrey put his son in a car and sticking 100 dollars on the panel said: "You can reach the banknote - it's yours!" and stepped on the gas! The kid could not reach the money, and even scared crazy car dynamics. But that the father is involved in illegal racing, no one knew!

The cop knew the truth about the state of law and order in Detroit, so the gas cap was ordered with a lock ;)



The hitch was necessary for transporting a trailer with a motorcycle. No one suspected of illegal races! Just a family car...



Under the hood is a crazy unit! Almost 500 horses in 1969!



Only in 2014, Godfrey told what he did in his youth. To Unfortunately, at that moment he was already on the verge of life and death. Strong the man had already beaten cancer in 2008, but the disease returned and is no longer retreated. After telling the story of his youth and leaving the car to his son, Godfrey Colles has left our mortal world.





The car was abandoned in the garage for many years, because in some moment, priorities changed and illegal racing gave way to concern for family. The son put the Challenger on the move, even to perfect condition long away. But a place in US automotive history is Godfrey Qualls' Black Chost occupies with dents on the body ...





When was a car listed on the National Historic Register in 2021? vehicles of the United States, Gregory Qualls told how his father before death asked him to keep the car and that it is very important for him families. But, as one famous movie hero said: "All power is in money, brother!". And now, the Dodge Challenger R / T SE is a legend of the American automotive culture, will be auctioned by Mecum in Indianapolis. Bidding will take place in May 2023, cost estimates yet no, but the heirs can definitely count on a million dollars. Same it was with the Ford Mustang, filmed in the cult film "Bullitt" with Steve McQueen...

But who am I to judge anyone? All the best!