OSHKOSH, WI (WTAQ-WLUK) – A car driving around Oshkosh and the Fox Cities the last few weeks has been getting a lot of attention on the roads and on social media.
The pretty lights, however, also recently received the attention of a Wisconsin State Patrol trooper.
“At first, I saw it on a YouTube video from like five years ago, some people doing it,” said Tyler Kamholz, the 18-year-old driver of the vehicle, tells FOX 11.
Kamholz says at a cost of $30, he put five strings of Christmas lights around his car. However, his father warned him that price could end up being much more in the long run.
“I was not a fan of it,” said Larry Kamholz. “I was not on board with it at all to begin with.”
As a retired Madison police officer, Larry Kamholz tells FOX 11 he knew the trouble his son could get in, turning his Camaro into a car Clark Griswold would be proud of.
“I knew exactly what laws were being broken with these types of lights.”
So did the state trooper who pulled Tyler over about a week ago in the Fox River Mall parking lot.
“She pretty much said she really liked the lights, but she’s pulling me over for the lights.”
Luckily, Tyler only received a warning, and with help from the trooper, a bump to his social media following.
“She asked for a picture and took a picture. It ended up on Facebook everywhere.”
“We’ve gotten requests from nursing homes and neighborhood associations,” said Larry Kamholz.
“They want him to drive by. It’s actually been quite interesting. It’s moving just to see the joy and happiness of the lights on the car that he did that I wasn’t supportive of. Now, I’ve warmed up to and realized the impact it’s had just from having these lights.”
The lights will be staying on the car until Christmas. You’ll just need to be in the right place to see them turned on.
“Only on backroads where I’m only going like 20,” said Tyler Kamholz while laughing.
State statute says you can only have white or amber colored lights on the front of your car. On the rear, the only color you can have is red. Any other color could result in a fine of up to $200.
