Car flamethrowers were first used in American hot-rodding circles in the early 1950s. They can now be freely bought online and attached to the back of your car.
The importer says they are legal, while the land transport authorities say they are dangerous and should be banned.
We are used to the sight and sounds of tricked up cars around the country, but flamethrowers are one accessory that may be going just too far.
For about $200 and a few hours' work, you can have flames bursting out of your tail pipe.
"It's been happening the states for years," says the importer, Tony O'Toole. "They actually have flame-off competitions over there, where whoever producers the biggest flame wins a prize, so in little old New Zealand we are literally miles behind."
If you have a quick glance on YouTube, there are quite a few clips showing off flamethrowers - from regular kits to crazy flames out the back of a pizza delivery van.
There is even one guy who lights his bonfire with his car.
Most of these are custom made, but the ones Tony O'Toole is selling are straight off shelf, ready to install.
Campbell Live bought a flame kit, and asked electrician and car enthusiast Louis to fit one to his old Holden.
"I think if you could fit a car stereo you could probably fit one of these," he says.
Mr O'Toole says that these kits are for off-road use only, but they are not illegal. But can you can get a WOF with them?
"Yes," he says.
And he has researched that?
"Yes."
It is true - there might not be a specific law against car exhaust flamethrowers, but could you actually get a warrant of fitness with one fitted?
Louis had his tested.
"And this is where you come to the modified exhaust, he has got his flame coil here and an inductor into the pipe which is a definite no," says Colin Boyd, vehicle inspector.
And there a big risk with the fuel tank near by.
"All you need is some fumes coming off that and she's a brew up," says Mr Boyd.
"We have never seen these before and there is no way that would get a warrant of fitness."
Mr Boyd says he would like to see the flamethrowers "banned before it comes in through import, 'cause once it gets onto the customers' or distributors' shelves, it's too late then."
It is too late. Mr O'Toole has sold 100 of these kits in less than a year, but denies he is being irresponsible.
"We have got warnings all over the boxes, all over the brochures that say 'strictly for off road use only'," he says.
But even he admits his time might be limited, and believes they will be banned.
"Probably would think so," says Mr O'Toole.
Is he going to keep selling them until that point?
"Yeah, pretty much."
source: newshub archive
