BEAUTY Point's Jesse Bull has been gutted by a car swap that ended in flames on Wednesday.
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Black smoke billowing from his 1998 Toyota Hiace van drew crowds to Myer's Paterson Street car park about 1pm.
Mr Bull had only had the van for two days before an engine defect left it a charred wreck.
''It started smoking around near the Star Bar (on Charles Street),'' he said.
''When I pulled into Birchalls, the air compressed and it just blew, it started leaking coolant and smoking really badly.
''A fire started underneath the car and black smoke was sky rocketing out of it.
''I just thought 'could my day get any worse?' I've had the worst luck, but what do you do?''
He said he swapped the van, estimated to be worth about $1000, for his VU 2001 Commodore in the hopes of gaining a new restoration project.
''I knew there was a little bit wrong with it, the exhaust was leaking and what-not that'd need fixing,'' Mr Bull said.
''I didn't even want to swap it really, not I regret it - I have no transport now.''
Tasmania Police constable Josh Hayes said the van would be towed.
''You don't want to leave it here, CarePark is pretty strict on their parking restrictions,'' Constable Hayes said.
''We attended the same time as the firies ... just after 1pm.''