Seaside Heights. April, 2010. By Paul Goldfinger See our photo of the Palace Amusements Scooter Ride below.
By Paul Goldfinger, Editor Blogfinger.net. Check the comments.
Ken: I loved those bumper cars when I was a kid. They were one of the few rides that didn’t make me throw up. We didn’t come to the Jersey Shore then, but we rode bumper cars in Coney Island.
I saw these cars in Seaside Heights (2010). before the season began, and it seemed like they were just waiting to rev up their engines and cause mayhem for kids to enjoy. Kids love chaos and bumping into things. These cars look just right.
But Ken: You do need a ticket to ride.
—–Paul Goldfinger, Editor @Blogfinger.
BEATLES:
Ken : Unfortunately now a days merry-go-rounds no longer have rings/have the ring grabbing routine . Too much liability. Insurance companies won’t allow it anymore. Shame.
Mention of the merry -go-round has raised another memory; taking the risk reaching out to grab a “ring” as you passed by the arm holding them. A gold ring was good for a free ride.
ken.
Yes, I remember that burned smell too! We were yelled at if we hit someone else head on, but my brother kept doing it anyway.
Help me — in the Casino, overlooking the merry-go-round, up on one side was a “fun” house with lots of crazy mirrors and scary things popping out. It included a Marilyn Monroe-style walkway where a gust of air from below would raise the skirts of unsuspecting girls. On the other side, wasn’t there a “tunnel of love” where two people could take a small car and ride through the dark? I don’t remember what you would see inside the Tunnel of Love.
I don’t remember an electrical smell from the AP casino bumper cars but I do remember having a lot of fun on them when I was a kid.
We would head to the Casino as teenagers on cloudy, rainy, non-beach days to play pinball and ride the bumper cares and merry-go-round. Great memories!
In days of yore, I remember them on the Seaside Heights boardwalk. How do you think I learned to drive?
About 10 years ago, I jarred my molars on them at the Fantasy Island Amusement Park on Long Beach Island.
And, if Sandy didn’t destroy them and your back can take it, you might want to relive your childhood there again.
No you are not the only one. I love bumper cars ! Always have & always will. Keansburg amusement park used to have original 1950’s bumper cars. Not sure if they survived Sandy.
Tillie face(s) from the Palace in AP are well known/loved icon. Less known was OG/South side of Palace had huge mural of 2 bumper cars colliding. Save Tillie group used to have 2 bumper cars (along with a carousel horse) when they were in parades.
Related : Go karts seem to be enjoying a revival. A number of Go kart tracks have opened recently thoughout NJ.
I recall the heavy electrical smell of the bumper cars that were in the Asbury Park Casino building on the southwest corner opening up on the promenade.