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2026 Subaru Crosstrek ReviewGhost Camaro: The Muscle Car War Hero
An American muscle car drove into the middle of war to provide aid to the civilians. Find out about the Ghost Camaro.
Not Your Average Military Vehicle
When you think of military vehicles, it’s typically something like the AM General HMMWV or Willy’s Jeep. Most military purposed vehicles were meant to traverse off-road, carry personnel and heavy equipment, and rarely go over 60 mph. While that’s the norm for most on land military assets, that doesn’t mean it’s the only way to approach a mission.
The Bosnian War broke out in 1992, one of the worst military conflicts in Europe since World War II. The world was forced to watch as innocent civilians were caught in the crossfire of the Balkans conflict. Foreign involvement was commonality during this war, but not all that joined the fight were looking to participate in battle. Humanitarian efforts to get civilians supplies were made, but the United Nation’s bright white trucks full of aid were easy targets for traveling militia forces and other bad actors. Even if the drivers navigated attacks through the war zone, they’d also have to worry about landmines hidden along the roads to their destinations.
Helge Meyer, an ex-Danish Jager Corps operative, realized this and tried to help provide aid to the area with the help of his extensive background. After failing to join the humanitarian efforts via his own government and the United Nations, Meyer decided to go it alone. He found and prepared an American muscle car to sprint through battle to provide necessary aid to civilians in the heart of the war. With the help of the United States Air Force (USAF), Meyer’s car was transformed into one of the fastest military vehicles used in a modern conflict. We’re looking at the war hero known as “God’s Rambo” and his “Ghost Camaro”.
How This Chevrolet Camaro Was Outfitted
After being turned down by governments to join the ranks and help in sending aid, Meyer looked for a suitable vehicle to speed into battle with. After getting in contact with some of his war buddies, Meyer was direct to the US Rhein-Main Air Base in Frankfurt, Germany. There he purchased a 1979 Chevrolet Camaro off an American soldier and explained what he had planned for the vehicle.
The United States Air Force didn’t approve of the modification of this Camaro in official capacity, but the troops decided to help Meyer after hearing what he planned to do for the innocents caught in the raging battle of Eastern Europe. To start, the Camaro had its original 5.7L V8 that was choked by emissions equipment of the late ‘70s. This limited its output to 170 horsepower, so the team of American gearheads went to work removing anything that hindered the performance of this V8, added a blower, and retuned it to produce 220 horsepower. Not only that, but a nitrous oxide kit had been reportedly installed to double that output in case of an emergency that called for an extra quick getaway.
Next on the agenda was dealing with gunfire and explosives. Kevlar was inserted into the door cards and thick steel plating was positioned around the body and over the rear window. This not only protected Meyer but protected the engine and fuel tank from being damaged from stray bullets. At the front, a reinforced metal blade was installed to clear landmines out from under the vehicle should they cross the Camaro’s path. A bull bar was also installed so that it could ram anything out of the way or off the road. Run-flat tires filled with a specialized foam were also installed so that the car could keep speeding through battle even after being punctured.
The plan was to travel under the cover of night, so every unnecessary light was removed from the Camaro inside and out. The headlights were replaced with a special set of virtually undetectable infrared lights. Since this was being modified by USAF soldiers, a special matte black paint reserved for fighter jets coated the entire vehicle. This unique paint job not only completely blacked out the car and removed reflective surfaces, but it also helped defeat thermal imaging equipment and went undetected by radar.
This ‘79 Chevy Camaro ended up looking like an aggressive machine straight out of a Mad Max film. Since Meyer would be delivering to scared families, he decided to lighten the mood of his new steed. Sitting in the grille of this blacked out muscle car was a bright yellow rubber ducky that could be seen through the front bull bar.
Meyer was also given equipment for inside the vehicle to help in his mission. A state-of-the-art GPS system was installed to help guide him via satellite. Since there were no streetlights when you’re driving under the cover of night, Meyer was given a set of Night Vision Goggles to help him see through the darkness. These goggles worked together with the newly installed infrared lighting to give him brighter visuals as he drove. Thermal imaging equipment was also installed that helped paint hidden adversaries up ahead. A fire suppression system was installed just in case along with a radio in the event he needed to make a distress call.
God’s Rambo & His Ghost Camaro
Once the Camaro was completed, Helge Meyer was loaded up with supplies to deliver and preparing to head out into the fray. USAF soldiers provided Meyer with a Kevlar jacket and helmet for further protection. They also offered the ex-Special Operations operative a firearm to take along with him to which he denied and instead held up a bible as his protection.
Meyer felt this was a mission from God and used that drive to push him into the heart of danger hundreds of times – weaponless. He and his “Ghost Camaro” became a folk hero to civilians and soldiers alike. The people of war-torn Bosnia and Herzegovina would wake up to the sound of an American V8 rumbling into their town. They’d be met by the driver next to his black muscle car who’d hand out whatever food, first aid, and even toys he had stuffed into the trunk. It was a glimmer of hope those people needed, and Meyer knew that this incredible act meant the world to them.
Helge Meyer and his Camaro encountered plenty of gunfire, explosions, tanks, and war planes while out on those pitch-dark nights. And even after having a bullet lodge in his Kevlar helmet nearly putting an end to this exciting story, he continued to do it all as a pacifist carrying a bible in the passenger seat. Even though the war ended in 1995, the Ghost Camaro continued to run aid wherever it was needed up until 2005.
If you’re wondering where this war ready muscle car ended up, it’s still in the owner’s garage. Helge Meyer keeps his war hero of a car in his new home of Germany with his wife. The Ghost Camaro still carries a lot of the modifications that were made to it but now it’s painted orange and driving the speed limit around town.
Awesome!!!