Page 97 - Experience Magazine Spring 2022

TRENDING COLLECTIBLES TAKE A RIDE BACK IN TIME

APRIL 7-9 PALM BEACH, FL What if you could buy a time machine? Something that WITH A COIN-OPERATED KIDDIE RIDE

could transport you back to a specific moment or memory
in the past. Baby boomers and Gen Xers will remember
such mechanical amusements. Coin-operated, they were
usually found outside shopping centers, in malls or even at
SELLING OVER 300 ITEMS AT NO RESERVE! amusement parks.

These machines came in many forms, including cars, flying
saucers, cows, rocket ships, boats, horses and dinosaurs. For
just 10 cents, the rider could become a “spaceman” on the
way to the moon, Dale Evans, Roy Rogers or a racecar driver.
That’s a pretty exciting notion for any kid.

At Barrett-Jackson’s automobilia auctions (held each day
before the collector car auctions), numerous examples of
vintage kiddie rides — er, time machines — have made their
way across the block, where interest in them has been growing.
The origin of kiddie rides can be traced back to 1931 when
Missouri inventor James Otto Hahs built a mechanical
horse as a Christmas present for his kids. Realizing he had a
potential hit on his hands, Hahs developed a coin-operated
version, which was an immediate hit. In 1932, he won
an award for the best new piece of equipment from the
National Association of Amusement Parks.
In 1953, coin-operated kiddie rides were considered one
of the fastest-growing businesses. At its peak, more than 20
manufacturers were creating the rides. Billboard Magazine
called the phenomenon “a rare combination of wholesome
fun and clever merchandising.”
All good things must come to an end, though. Despite displayed in respected collections because of their iconic
massive popularity in the 1950s and ‘60s, the kiddie ride value and collectibility.”
craze faded into obscurity as quickly as it rose due to the
machines’ maintenance and a lack of reliability. The 2022 Scottsdale Auction proved to be an excellent example
of this. Notable sales included a 1950s Chris-Craft Woody
“Coin-operated rides have become one of the more unique Speed Boat Ride (Lot #9383) for $46,000, a Vintage Horse
and popular items featured in our automobilia auction,” Race kiddie ride (Lot #9584) for $63,250, Borden’s Elsie the
said Rory Brinkman, longtime Barrett-Jackson Automobilia Cow Kiddie Ride (Lot #9383.1) for $86,250 and, perhaps
director. “Ten years ago, we were selling them for $10,000- one of Barrett-Jacksons top-selling kiddie-rides to date, a
$15,000 but lately, that’s considered a low starting bid for most Disneyland Donald Duck ride (Lot #9488.1) for $172,500.
of the rides we offer. Many even crossing the six-figure point.”
There are sure to be many fantastic kiddie rides, with and
Brinkman added that, oftentimes, grandparents were without a coin slot, at the upcoming 2022 Palm Beach
purchasing these rides to entertain their grandchildren. Still, Auction, held April 7-9 at the South Florida Fairgrounds.
many early coin-operated kiddie rides have become highly – Nicole Ellan James
Daily on the Main Auction Stage sought-after due to their rarity. For more information on the kiddie rides selling at the Palm Beach Auction and the complete

“Kiddie rides foster childhood memories for most of us,” automobilia docket, visit Barrett-Jackson.com
LIVE, INTERNET, ABSENTEE AND PHONE BIDDING AVAILABLE. Brinkman said. “They’re becoming more prominently

For automobilia consignment and registration, contact Rory and Cindy Brinkman
at 480.663.6234 or automobilia@Barrett-Jackson.com FOR THE COMPLETE DOCKET 97