Black Ghost - Hemi Challenger

[69 Post Sedan]

Originally Posted by DW31S

Actually, the Silver Bullet’s mill was closer to 500 cubic inches. It was “poked & stroked” by Chrysler engineers and was also put on a helluva diet, as it had fiberglass nose, doors, etc. It was a freakin’ beast that ran through 4 Cadillac mufflers. It ran bottom 10s. The “Sudden Death” Mustang (Mustang II) was even quicker as it ran mid 9s. The Black Ghost wouldn’t have been a threat to those two.

Spot on….487ci….definitely a hired gun!!!

Kurt

And to top it off…..it had Cragars…..j/s

[EZ Nova]

Thanks Lee, never knew or thought about my much-love '68 Hemi cars being a A990. I know a few guys from the streets in D in the mid 90's till now. No one ever mentioned this BLACK Challenger.

I think this car could very well be defeated, but not as a big streetracer? Maybe the minor leagues but not with the hitters back then. A Motion ANYTHING car, Mr.s Norms stuff, Nicky/Dana cars would have killed this even if it was worked on some.

I have a friend, that raced his 1969 4sp L78 Nova he bought new in 69. Headers, recurved dist, slicks with 4.10's, the car ran 11's. Ain't no was that hemi would run do his Nova with it's stock motor/manifolds. I "could" see tuned and preped to a mid 12 ot even a low 12. But no way would it run with cars like that.

NOt sure IF the MAX WEDGE BROTHERS were runnin there stuff back then either, I don't think they had there hitter at the time, think they were a bit after.

[GrumpyJeff]

I'm Sure late at night it whooped up on it's share unsuspecting Stock Muscle. So it may of had a known reputation? But a Street Racing Legend in Detroit in that time frame ? As someone else said "Minor league threat on the streets of some Very Heavy Hitters ... Cool car & owners Story tho

[70 copo]

Uncle Tony is spot on. That car is fantastic in its own right, but there is a very simple way to find out... spin it down the quarter mile and see what she runs. If the trick mods are there you will be able to tell pretty quick right?

That is the point of the video and on the numbers He is correct.

So if the car doesn't somehow crack into the 10's then I would agree that the hobby is being played by another hoax.

[Mr70]

What's this?,manipulation with the intent to gain more money in the classic car hobby? Say it isn't so.
Unfortunately this has been going on since the wheel was invented.
I 've always taken that particular cars story with a grain of salt,for so many reasons.
It stands on it's own for how it was built,it doesn't need a outlandish story like that.

[markjohnson]

Twice, I see much-respected Tony DeFeo described as a “hack” in this thread. He’s owned, raced, driven Fuel cars, Hemi cars, was a pioneer in the Fox-body Mustang movement, etc. He’s a long-time wrench spinner operating at a Jedi-level. He’s the “hack” that will get your car started for you at a car show before you can even call AAA on your phones.

[67BelAir427]

Originally Posted by markjohnson

Twice, I see much-respected Tony DeFeo described as a “hack” in this thread. He’s owned, raced, driven Fuel cars, Hemi cars, was a pioneer in the Fox-body Mustang movement, etc. He’s a long-time wrench spinner operating at a Jedi-level. He’s the “hack” that will get your car started for you at a car show before you can even call AAA on your phones.

Tony Defeo is not a hack. I have followed him since his days at Cars Illustrated. Honest to a fault and not beholden to auto companies, part manufacturers or auction houses.

[Lee Stewart]

It may be a case where The Black Ghost was very selective about which cars he ran against. Take on anything out of the showrooms - guaranteed he would win, except maybe another Hemi, and he probably avoided racing them.

If you street race and win a lot, you get a reputation which you then have to defend. Better to not race and keep your reputation intact then lose and get a ding to your reputation.

But beating a professionally built Super Stock car running on the street . . . never happened.

It's evident that with all the street racing, only a handful of cars became legends. And yes, the Black Ghost was one of them.

A legend is presumed to have some basis in historical fact and tends to mention real people or events. Historical fact morphs into a legend when the truth has been exaggerated to the point that real people or events have taken on a romanticized, "larger than life" quality.

[70 copo]

Legends have proponents. Follow the money.

[Lee Stewart]

Originally Posted by 70 copo

Legends have proponents. Follow the money.

What is the job of an auction house? You might say to put a seller and a buyer together. And that would be a fact. But they do more than that.

Their real job is to get the highest price possible for the seller. Their commission depends on it as does their reputation.

I remember when Mecum was standing in the shadow of Barret-Jackson. Now IMO, it's reversed. Mecum is getting the high dollar cars and B-J isn't. They earned their current standing. And getting big bucks for the Black Ghost is just one example of their prowess.