chrome ignition box: high voltage at the outside?

However, it is easy to spark at 1 atm pressure, and even easier in a vacuum where sparks readily jump many meters. In an automotive engine, the spark must work at 200 psi cylinder pressure, which is much harder and why a 0.060" gap is about the limit for most ignitions.

Learned that in shop class about 1971 using and old air pressurized spark plug cleaner/tester. :D