Tom Wright’s Street-Legal Bumper Cars
Bumper cars were crazy fun when I was a kid. Even as an adult today, they still look immensely entertaining and I'd probably be on one every weekend if only everyone else lined up to ride them weren't in grade school. Instead of drawing power from the floor or ceiling like regular flat rides, these bumper cars seen around the San Diego area not only run independently - you can drive them down public roads.
That's right, these bumper cars, which have been reconfigured to run on four wheels, are completely street legal. Even if they're not, though, I doubt cops will pull you over for a ticket - they'll probably ask to try it for a spin around the block, instead.
Created by California-based builder Tom Wright, the original set of modified bumper cars came from the Long Beach Pike amusement park's discards. Instead of watching them join the trash heap, he took out the Harley motors, replaced it with 750cc Honda and Kawasaki boxes, and redesigned them to pass city driving standards. His fleet now consists of eight crazy-looking street bumper cars (culled from different amusement parks), all licensed to give your hottest ride a run for its money.
A couple of the cars can reportedly go up to 160mph, which seems awfully scary for a car with such a short wheelbase. There's no word on whether he's selling any of these rides, but I doubt he'll have a hard time moving at least a couple hundred of them. Seriously, who wouldn't want to cruise down the streets on a real bumper car?
Update: We found some more pics for you on MR38's Flickr Page
Another Update (01/30/2010) : Check out some more info here at Little Guy Street Rods.
[via Jalopy Journal, Jalopnik]
Noel | Aug 27, 2009 | Comments 82
(10 votes, average: 3.80 out of 5)
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WOW!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
SUPER!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
GREAT FUN
SPEEDY MIKE
These people say that it’s illegal to drive in California. WHO TO YOU BELIEVE?
http://www.pe.com/localnews/inland/stories/PE_News_Local_W_traffic15.3ddb80c.html
I am very interested in knowing more about these amazing vehicles! How can I look into purchasing one? Karen
**Are they legal on the roads in NY?**
Where can I get info on purchasing
Where can I Purchase and do you know if street legal in IL.
I have a friend who wants one – please send info on how we can buy one or two of them. Thank you
Wow got an email from a friend about these Bumper cars. Would like to know where a person could buy one, how much, and our they street legal in Arkansas.
[...] these bumper cars from the Long Beach Pike Amusement Park from going to the dump. According to the coolthings.com website, “he took out the Harley motors, replaced it with 750cc Honda and Kawasaki boxes, and [...]
[...] What to do with your old Bumper Cars Tom Wright’s Street-Legal Bumper Cars | CoolThings.com | Anything and Everything Cool ______________________________________ 89,5.0,5spd hurst,410 gear,GT40P heads-(Fox Lake) TF [...]
hey tom give me the figures on one of these little cars … and how long it takes to get one …
i live in florida and i have got to have one …. send me more information on these ….thanks ken button at nightbark1@msn.com
MAN CAN YOU BUY THESE AND IF SO HOW MUCH
THANKS
What a fun trip down memory lane! A friend just sent me an email with these adorable restored bumper cars from the old Pike Amusement Park in Long Beach, California. I grew up riding these cars at the Pike with my brothers having the time of our lives. So thankful to Mr Wright for taking such good care of these beauties. Another fun story I will share with my grandchildren.
Now if only someone would restore the Pike’s old carousel roof sitting in Long Beach.
LB girl, Debi R
Awesome, creative, and environmentally helpful!
I would like to be the first on the block to have one. Is there any inventory for purchase?
I am interested in buying an old bumper car to restore. Can anyone tell me where I might find a place to buy one in or around Michigan? Thank you.
I can make the body tooling for short run steel stampings or I can cast the body panels as well as what evr parts are needed.
Just like everyone else, I think these are the collest mini cars I’ve seen in a long time. I absolutely loved Bumper Cars as a kid. I could use it year round here in Florida just like in CA!!!! Are there any available for pruchase? Approxinate cost?
That is a neat idea for old bumper cars. Are they for sale or will they be in the future. If so how much are they?
How can I purchase one? How much are they and are they street leagal in Massachusetts?
I would love to have one of these!!!!!