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Constructed in the early 1960's
this ride began as an open air kiddy-car ride that put children
behind the wheel of their own Model T. These electric antique
cars were manufactured in Germany by the Jhle Company. Within
a couple of years the heart of the ride was enclosed, leaving
only a small portion of track outdoors. A short trip out of
the darkness - then back into the darkness again. A dark ride
it was - but more kooky than spooky. Filled with fluorescent
fun and lighted by black light your antique car steered you
through bang doors galore in this cartoon world. Themed after
the popular Mack Sennett comedy troupe of the 1920's this ride
had a variety of animated characters that were often referred
to as "mop heads" by the employees. These characters
were the creation of local ride designer Jamie Sanford of Amusement
Enterprises Inc. There were clowns... a firehouse band... barbershop
quartet... and of course those bungling kops. And what young
boy could forget those scantily clad dancing girls out front!
Eventually the ride was moved toward the front of the pier to
make room for the new Log Flume and remained in operation until
the bitter end. This dark ride was 60's psychedelia at its best
and remains one of my favorite memories of Hunt's Pier.
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