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This story is pretty badass…
While most people in Western Europe and North America were horrified at the sight of the human suffering during the Yugoslav wars in the 1990s, one man decided to jump into his 1979 Chevrolet Camaro and do something. Helge Meyer wasn’t just any guy, he was a veteran of Denmark’s elite Jaeger Corps, a special forces unit similar to the US Army’s Delta Force, so he already knew what it was like to deal with war-torn areas. Applying his unique expertise, the man was able to do what others could not or would not, becoming a hero to many in Bosnia in desperate times.
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Despite foreign countries trying to help, many of their supply trucks were destroyed or requisitioned before they could reach the civilian population. Food, medicine and other supplies on board would fall into the hands of military units, police, militia, etc. and hoarded. People were starving and Meyer felt it was his calling to do something.
The plan was to use the 1979 Camaro he purchased to get to besieged Bosnian towns at high speed and deliver much-needed supplies to innocent civilians caught up in the conflict. To reach them, Meyer would have to navigate roads where land mines and IEDs were common, something that could easily tear apart a Humvee, let alone a Chevy.
Instead of attacking with firearms alone, Meyer called on the United States Air Force. They recognized the value of the Danish military veteran’s plan, who provided logistical and technical support so that his efforts would not be in vain.
As you can see in the photos, Meyer modified the muscle car with the help of Air Force technicians. A matte black coat of paint was applied, allowing the vehicle to drive unnoticed at night. For the record, that paint was infrared-destructive. Run-flat tires can take bullets and keep rolling. Ballistic windows, plus extra steel panels and Kevlar protected against bullets damaging the powertrain or piercing the cabin. Retaining the 5.7-liter V8, it was tuned to produce 220 horsepower, which was decent for the time.
In addition, a large nitrous oxide system was added, reportedly delivering over 200 horsepower when needed. The interior was stripped down to bare metal and only the essentials were added back in, freeing up space to carry supplies. A night vision system helped drive without lights on in the dark, while body heat sensors made it easier for Meyer to see enemy combatants before it was too late. The Camaro was even equipped with a mine clearing knife. Finally, a ground-to-air radio system was added, allowing Meyer to communicate directly with Air Force pilots. A beefy bull bar was added later.
Crazy as it may sound, Meyer didn’t roll around in the Ghost Car, as it came to be known, carrying guns. The man wore a donated PASGT vest and helmet, and he always carried cigarettes and his Bible, but that was all he had in terms of protection except the Camaro.
An American transport plane flew Meyer and his Camaro to war-torn Bosnia. He immediately made Vukovar the heart of his operations, regularly ducking and evading military units, as well as the police, militias and irregular fighters. By literally risking his life to help innocent civilians, Meyer won the respect of U.S. Air Force and Army personnel. The man was nicknamed God’s Rambo for his fearless and effective methods.
The Ghost Car is still owned by Meyer and is in his garage, although he has removed the infrared matte black paint and preferred orange for his civilian life.
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