Meet The Ghost Car: Mad Max Meets Real Life
The war in Bosnia took its toll on its people. Military machines were used to wreak havoc in the worst of conditions while others trying to avoid the conflict, ran supplies to those in need. There was one car that stood out, however.
A 1979 second gerneration Camaro was given the battle treatment before its owner and driver, Helge Meyer, used it to run both night and day missions. With the fact that (amazingly) he didn’t carry a weapon throughout the war, he was nicknamed ‘God’s Rambo’, and the car ‘the Ghost Car’.
Of course, a standard car wouldn’t have lasted too long with the constant onslaught of bullets, so some changes needed to be made. The rear window was replaced with metal, and the US Air Force supplied him with kevlar plates, paint that absorbs infra-red light, run-flat tires, heat detection, night vision and nitrous. Yes, you read that right – nitrous, which made the car’s overall power something close to 440HP.
Without the NOS shot, it only ran 220HP from its 5.7-litre V8. But you don’t need much power when you can plow your way through most blockages. The metal bar that runs across the front was also used to clear mines.
It’s rumoured that on his runs, Meyer stashed in the car 400kg of food and supplies, plus things for emergencies such as spare tyres and radio equipment.
The fact that Meyer knew the roads around the area like the back of his hand helped him avoid confrontation on many accounts, and the much-needed armour protected him when the bullets did start coming. Being undetectable by radar was also a needed facility that was also responsible for giving the car its name.
The car still belongs to Meyer, but it’s undergone some slight changes. Mainly the paint, which is now bright yellow. It’s also nearing 1-million kilometres on the clock. This car is obviously well loved and well used.
