Why this Dodge Challenger R/T costs a million euros

(Photo: Mecum Auctions)

A while ago we wrote about cheap used American cars. This popular Dodge Challenger R/T SE doesn’t fit that list at all. The muscle car went under the hammer to an absurd extent.

At an auction in the United States, the winning bid went to Ryan Snyder. A Florida collector was willing to pay $975,000 for a Dodge Challenger R/T. The auction house collects an additional 10 percent, making the total amount converted to just a few euros of 1 million euros. But why?

The story behind the Dodge Challenger R/T

First of all, it is a very unique model. In 1970, Dodge built just 23 Challenger R/T models with the four-speed manual transmission and the Special Edition package. This article is one of them. The black alligator print on the roof is amazing. The owner had ordered a custom black roof, but a Dodge error caused this and the owner took it easy.

This particular example has a bad history. The Dodge Challenger R/T was popular in the 1970s muscle car appeared at every opportunity during street racing, where Dodge made mincemeat of the competition. Then he disappeared silently into the darkness again. Well, quietly? That wouldn’t be the case with the 7.0-liter V8.

Soldier by day, road runner by night

Interesting fact: the mysterious road racer turned motorcycle cop named Godfrey Qualls. It is not surprising that the Challenger and its owner did not want to be in the spotlight. That changed when the Dodge Challenger R/T SE, which has been given a new name Black Ghost had received, it resurfaced seven years ago.

Godfrey Qualls is now deceased. His son Gregory Qualls said in an interview that he never knew about his father’s nocturnal events. Of course he knew what kind of car was inside. “My dad stuck a $100 bill on the dashboard and said if I could get the bill, I could keep the money,” Gregory Qualls said. As he tried to move forward, an explosion of gas pushed Gregory into his seat. “I have never held a note. Besides, it scared me.”