Remember the early 2000s, a time when viral videos were rare, and jump scares were unexpected? For many of us, one of the most terrifying online experiences came from the infamous ‘Ghost Car’ commercial. What seemed like a calm, serene car advertisement turned into one of the first viral jump-scares ever created. But did you know something spooky happens when you search for the iconic ‘Ghost Car’ location on Google Maps? Let’s dive into what happens when you look up the infamous coordinates.
The Origins of the ‘Ghost Car’ Video
In 2004, K-fee, a German energy drink company, released what is now considered one of the first viral jump-scare videos. Initially, the ad seemed like a typical car commercial, featuring a vehicle driving peacefully through the countryside. Soft music played in the background, and all seemed calm—until the car suddenly disappears behind some bushes, and a screaming zombie-like figure bursts onto the screen. The tagline of the commercial, “So wach warst du noch nie” or “You’ve never been so awake,” perfectly captured the shocking effect of the jump-scare. K-fee used this terrifying technique to promote their energy drinks as something that would jolt you into alertness.
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Jump-Scare Culture and Early Viral Content
This particular advert holds a special place in internet history. It spread rapidly across email chains and early video-sharing platforms before the rise of social media, becoming one of the first examples of “shock content.” People vividly recall their reactions to seeing it for the first time. One Reddit user described being “traumatized” after their teacher showed it to their class early in the morning.2 The ‘Ghost Car’ ad set the stage for the jump-scare trend, which would go on to become a staple of both horror cinema and prank videos. People loved to scare their friends by sending them the link under the guise of a harmless car commercial.
The Google Maps Connection
Nearly 20 years later, the terror of the ‘Ghost Car’ video has found a new home—on Google Maps. If you enter the coordinates “36°46’9.27″N, 119°15’21.93″W,” something eerie happens. When you input these exact coordinates into Google Maps, an image of a car strikingly similar to the one from the video appears. The car is parked in a desolate area, and while there’s no zombie in sight, the haunting association with the infamous advert makes the whole experience feel unsettling. It’s as if the ghost of the commercial still lingers in the digital landscape.
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Why the ‘Ghost Car’ Still Haunts Us
Why does this jump scare, created nearly two decades ago, continue to haunt us? For many, the unexpectedness of the zombie’s appearance in what seemed like a serene setting was what made the video so terrifying. As one viewer pointed out, “I remember first seeing this back in elementary school. Some friends of mine suggested I’d watch it. Now I no longer see them as friends”. This ad’s enduring impact can also be attributed to its role in shaping internet culture. Jump-scares have since become a common feature in both horror and prank videos, but few can replicate the raw shock value of the original ‘Ghost Car’ ad.
Social Media Reacts
Even years later, people continue to discuss the ‘Ghost Car’ ad on social media, recalling their first terrifying experience with the video. One Twitter user commented, “That was a good jump-scare, I couldn’t feel my hands for a second”. Others pointed out the importance of reading the comments before watching potentially scary content. One user even said, “This video is proof that reading comments before watching certain videos is important”. The widespread fear and shock generated by the ‘Ghost Car’ video has cemented its place in internet folklore, where it continues to be referenced as one of the greatest jump-scares of all time.
Check at Your Own Risk
