The Auto Race (then known as the Auto Ride) opened at Kennywood in 1930. It was designed by Harry Traver, the mastermind behind the Tumble Bug ride and some of the most extreme wooden coasters of that 1920s "golden era." Today, the Auto Race is the last of its kind in the world.
The ride's facade has an animated, neon mural. The flashing wheels are neat... when they work. The below picture was taken more recently following a repaint.
It's inevitable to compare this 1930s car ride to the type that popped up at parks all across the country in the vein of Disneyland's Autopia. Kennywood actually added a steerable ride of that kind called the Turnpike in 1966 (with no gas pedal). However, it closed after 2009 for a new roller coaster. As far as the Auto Race goes, its cars run through a wooden trough and are powered electrically.
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| Before the current cars were installed in the 1950s, there were even small hills along the track. |
The 2014 update also resulted in a computer system to keep track of where the cars are on the track. That is what the "bumps" on the sides of the trough (not seen in the above picture from 2012) are for.
10 comments:
Andrew, am I understanding correctly that you can control the speed with a gas pedal (up to 10 mph)? It's the steering that you obviously cannot control.
It's great you're experiencing all these wonderful rides, and that you keep up the good work of reporting them to us! I know I'll probably never see some of these in person, but am enjoying them through your eyes.
Like Sue, I am glad that you are getting to see these historic parks and attractions. I'm also glad that you are documenting them! Thanks for sharing your documentation with us!
I love the neon signage! I'm assuming it is vintage?
Is that a young you, in car #98?
Sue, you cannot control the speed. The cars have a totally different "feel" than a typical "Turnpike" ride. I'm happy that you feel like you're living vicariously through these posts. :-)
TokyoMagic!, it's not like there's no picture or video of these rides online, but I do appreciate the compliment!
The neon sign dates back to the 1950s and was added when they updated the cars. And yep, that's me at two years old on my first Kennywood visit.
Andrew, too cool! Wait...make that, two cool! ;-)
To be fair, I was a week away from being three...
Andrew, I love that picture of you (and your mom?)!! Now that you're driving, you need to take a similar picture in "your" car (and post it). So sweet!
I love the neon mural. The last time I saw it it was flickering beautifully.
Nothing like a car ride, even if you can't steer, accelerate or brake.
Nice post, Andrew, thanks. Looks like you have come by your love of amusement parks at an early age.
JG
Sue, :-)
Melissa, who doesn't love neon when it's flickering beautifully?
JG, it's too bad that the hills in the track are gone; it would be fun seeing people argue whether it's a roller coaster or not! I'm serious! I have many stories about how I instantly liked learning about amusement parks as much as I liked visiting them. There's an hour long PBS documentary about Kennywood, and when I brought it in to school in 1st grade, the teacher actually showed it (though she skipped a good chunk the instant they said "a few people have died at Kennywood") :-0.
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