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This story is pretty ugly…
When most people in Western Europe and North America were horrified to see the human suffering during the Yugoslav Wars in the 1990s, one man decided to jump in his 1979 Chevrolet Camaro and do something about it. Helge Meyer wasn’t just another guy, he was a veteran of Denmark’s elite Jaeger Corps, a special forces unit similar in nature to the US Army’s Delta Force, so he already knew what management was like. war-torn areas. By applying his unique expertise, the man was able to do what others couldn’t or wouldn’t, becoming a hero to many in Bosnia during desperate times.
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Although foreign countries tried to help, many of their supply trucks were destroyed or commandeered before they could reach the civilian population. Food, medicine and other necessities on board fell into the hands of military units, police, militia, etc. and were hoarded. People were starving and Meyer felt it was his calling to do something.
The plan was to use the 1979 Camaro he bought to make high-speed runs to besieged Bosnian towns, delivering much-needed supplies to innocent civilians caught up in the conflict. To reach them, Meyer would have to navigate roads where landmines and IEDs were common, which could easily tear up a Humvee, let alone a Chevy.
Instead of just charging with guns blazing, Meyer called in the United States Air Force. They saw the value in the plan of the Danish military veteran, lending logistical and technical support so that his efforts were not in vain.
As you can see in the photos, Meyer modified the muscle car with the help of Air Force technicians. A matte black paint job has been applied, helping the vehicle drive undetected at night. For good measure, this paint was infrared-blocking. Flat tires could take bullets and continue to roll. Ballistic windows, plus additional steel panels and Kevlar protected against bullets damaging the powertrain or puncturing the cabin. Keeping the 5.7-liter V8, it was tuned to produce 220 horsepower, which was decent for the time.
Additionally, a big nitrous system has been added, providing over 200 hp if needed. The interior has been stripped down to bare metal and only the essentials have been added, freeing up space to carry supplies. A night vision system helped drive without any lights on after dark, while body heat sensors made it easier for Meyer to spot hostile fighters before it was too late. The Camaro was even equipped with a minesweeper blade. 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.
As crazy as it sounds, Meyer wasn’t riding around in the ghost car, as it was called, with guns on him. The man was wearing a donated PASGT vest and helmet, plus he still carried cigarettes and his Bible, but that was all he had for protection other than the Camaro.
An American transport plane carried Meyer and his Camaro to war-torn Bosnia. He immediately made Vukovar the heart of his operations, routinely dodging and evading military units as well as police, militias and irregular fighters. Literally putting his life on the line to help innocent civilians, Meyer earned the respect of Air Force and military personnel. The man earned the nickname God’s Rambo due to his fearless and efficient methods.
The ghost car is still owned by Meyer and stored in his garage, although he has removed the infrared matte black paint, favoring orange for his civilian life.
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