In 1998 South African inventor Charl Fourie designed a defensive system for use against carjackers - I guess he might have been furious eh!
The system used LPG (liquid petroleum gas) flame thrower nozzles installed on the sides of the vehicle that would, at the flick of a switch, project five metre high plumes of flame upward into the faces of would-be attackers.
There was much debate about this design - including speculation by the South African Automobile Association - as to maybe would such defensive systems increase the trend of carjackers to just shoot first as they approach their targeted victims.
The devices were not a commercial success - selling only in the low hundreds due partly to the high selling price - and manufacture ceased in 2001.
LPG fuel conversions were for many years popular here in New Zealand, as a means of reducing transport costs. The conversions were subsidised with a Govt. grant and the LPG fuelled Taxis are still used as the cost savings are worthwhile on higher mileage vehicles. The two basic options were to switch entirely to LPG or to retain the original fuel system switchable to yield a 'duel fuel' system with much increased distances between re-fuelling stops.
Big Fords and Holdens (General Motors Australia) are available new LPG fuelled for a couple of grand premium - but conversion costs here are in the area of NZ$5000. American readers will need to distinguish between Gas fuelled vehicles and gas fuelled cars.
Carjacking is not a problem here - and any such flamethrower system would certainly be frowned upon immediately unless intended for recreational camping barbecues and lighting - but there wouldn't be much extra technology and cost in the required pipework and nozzle fittings to adapt an existing installation for camping.
*WARNING* - Do not do this at home !
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