The sinister 1970 Dodge Challenger gained a notable reputation for flexing its muscles in the 1970’s – now the classic muscle car could be yours.
While Detroit may be Motor City, it is also home to a rich local automotive enthusiast culture, much of which centers around the famous Woodward Avenue which runs from downtown Detroit into northern suburbs of the city.
One such famous Woodward legend is the Black Ghost, a 1970 Dodge Challenger which made appearances at the height of the muscle car era in the early 1970s on Woodward.
Known for being a competitive street racer and its stealthy appearance, the muscle car gained quite a reputation and now the original family who’s owned the car for over five decades is putting it up for sale according to Hagerty.
The History Of The Black Ghost Dodge Challenger
The sinister 1970 Dodge Challenger R/T SE used its HEMI V8 engine power to establish quite a reputation for itself.
The car has black exterior paint, a Gator Grain black vinyl top and black interior, a dark color combination to conceal its identity to unexpected challengers.
The car rarely got seen for long, often showing up, winning a race and then immediately disappearing into the night, often not seen again for a month or two at least.
In an article for Hagerty discussing the car, it got said: “The Ghost showed up on Woodward in the spring of 1970, blew the doors off every competitor, and then drove off into the darkness before anyone could answer the question, ‘Who was that?’. Weeks would pass, and the menacing classic muscle car would reemerge from the shadows, dominate, and disappear once again. Its legend grew. And then it vanished for good.”
Solving The Mystery Of The Black Ghost Muscle Car
Street racing is common on Woodward avenue but the Challenger made quite the impression, known widely in the community at the time. It would likely come as a surprise to know that the owner of the Black Ghost was a Detroit police officer, partially explaining the desire to stay undercover.
The car still remains in the same family, with the original owner and infamous street racer passing away a few years ago. The car is even on the National Historic Vehicle Register.