Black Ghost - Hemi Challenger

[Bad67300]

Originally Posted by TarheelRyan

I have no plans of running it down the track as I think a Hyundai Sonata probably has a better 1/4 mile time than a bone stock 70 Hemi Challenger. Next month, I will probably load it in the trailer and take it down to the local cars and coffee meet where there will be a sea of Porsche's, McLaren's, etc. My hope is a young kid or 2 will see it and take interest in it or it will bring back a good memory for some old timer walking around. Too many of these cars are getting bought up and stored away in private collections. There are a few of us trying to buy these cars to share with others and keep the hobby alive, but then we have to deal with bullshit like the Uncle Tony's Garage video. The sad thing is Uncle Tony knows what he is talking about and he should be spending his time sharing his knowledge and celebrating the muscle cars of yesterday instead of trashing them to earn ad revenue. For the record, there was NOTHING Mecum said or did to impact my decision to buy this car. I was not scammed by anyone in my decision to buy the car. 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.

Congrats on the purchase! Doesn't matter whether people think you overpaid or not. If you are happy with the purchase then it was well-bought. At least that's the take I have when buying something I want. Quite frankly, I thought it would go for more and overall felt many cars were sold a bit soft. My one wish on it was that it wouldn't go overseas, so thanks for stepping up! I'm originally from Venice, FL, high school in Sarasota, and get down there from time to time. Would love to swing by B town and see the car in person!

[napa68]

Perhaps this would be a good time to rename this thread? Seems as though there are some interesting posts and information that are far more contructive than the title would indicate. Just my humble .02

[EZ Nova]

Originally Posted by TarheelRyan

As the high bidder of the Black Ghost, here is my 2 cents worth. It is a fully documented, triple black, "original" numbers matching Hemi Challenger R/T SE 4 speed with a gator grain top. The documentation for the car is in the top 1% of all Mopar's. As for the history of this car, I will listen to (1) Dodge Factory; (2) Hagerty; (3) Bob Ashton; (4) Dave Wise; and (5) the Qualls' family any day of the week over Uncle Tony's Garage.

Over the past 2 days, I have seen the absolute best and worst of the classic/muscle car community in its treatment of this car. As far as I'm concerned, it is a bad ass Hemi Challenger with a trailer hitch that has a pretty cool backstory...embellished or not.

Ryan, congrads on the purchase and this is definitely a great car as well as very very valuable. I can remember seeing a certain 1971 Hemi Challenger Convert for sale at a local meet for $35,000 US and thinking this guys need really good meds as that was crazy $$$ in mid to late '80s!!!!

The car is legit an all ways as being OG paint and triple black, Gator top Hemi 4sp.

[njsteve]

Originally Posted by EZ Nova

can remember seeing a certain 1971 Hemi Challenger Convert for sale at a local meet for $35,000 US and thinking this guys need really good meds as that was crazy $$$ in mid to late '80s!!!!

That would be way overpriced in the 1980's since Dodge never made a 1971 426 Hemi Challenger R/T convertible. It was only produced in 1970. The largest engine you could get in 1971 was a 383 in a non-R/T convertible. For 1971, Dodge killed off the R/T convertible option.

[EZ Nova]

Originally Posted by njsteve

That would be way overpriced in the 1980's since Dodge never made a 1971 426 Hemi Challenger R/T convertible. It was only produced in 1970. The largest engine you could get in 1971 was a 383 in a non-R/T convertible. For 1971, Dodge killed off the R/T convertible option.

So Rene's Purple and white is a 70??? Could very well be. I know better as the white RT strip on the side was the full length thin one, not the thick 2/3s car length one.

[njsteve]

Originally Posted by EZ Nova

So Rene's Purple and white is a 70??? Could very well be. I know better as the white RT strip on the side was the full length thin one, not the thick 2/3s car length one.

Yes, Rene's was a 70. I remember it well. Rene had it around the same time I had my yellow 1971 hemicuda ragtop. I think he sold it to Otis Chandler right after I sold mine to Otis.

[DW31S]

I don’t think anyone is doubting the rarity or provenance of the car. It’s a 1 of 1 and it survived. My idea of a “street racing legend” isn’t a 13 second boulevard cruiser. Congrats on the purchase… it’s a helluva car.

[turbojet427]

Yeah, that's exactly what you should do Ryan. Drop $975k on an original drivetrain car that's in the National Historic Vehicle Register and run its ass off trying to squeeze every hundredth out of it.

[JRC99]

Originally Posted by turbojet427

Yeah, that's exactly what you should do Ryan. Drop $975k on an original drivetrain car that's in the National Historic Vehicle Register and run its ass off trying to squeeze every hundredth out of it.

Shoot, I would. The entire point of the Hemi was racing. Otherwise it's a $975k paperweight.

[Formula455SD]

Internet hype paid off for the guy.

Cool car nevertheless....