In a way, the thought of a vintage bumper car sort of brings back painful memories from my childhood, as operators often called me out for driving them too aggressively as a youngster in the seventies on the Dodgem ride at Fair Park in Nashville, and later on the Country Bumpkin Bumper Cars at Opryland. I still recall being fascinated watching the sparks fly where the metal conducting rods hit the electric ceiling, although I always thought they’d be more realistic if each individual car had its own gas-powered engine. If you feel the same, you’re in luck, as this vintage Lusse unit here on Facebook Marketplace has been converted into petrol power. Located in Massillon, Ohio, you can get behind the wheel of this one for just $1,650, and we’d like to acknowledge reader JDC for sending in such a fun tip here!
If a builder is intent on modifying a bumper car, choosing a good one to start with is imperative. That certainly appears to be the case here, as many amusement ride enthusiasts hail the Lusse Auto Skooters as among the finest ever made, with some fans noting their ability to turn harder and go faster on the rink than competitors. Although the older Lusse-brand offerings have a more vintage automobile shape than this one, it still has the classic bumper-car vibe, with the seller reporting that the body is in good condition. The red finish shows a bit of fading, so I wouldn’t be surprised if that’s still the original paint or molded color.
With the pole removed and no overhead system to provide electricity, this one now runs on a Briggs & Stratton gasoline engine, and the 7 HP rating sounds like plenty to get it moving capably. My biggest concern here is the mounting location, as it’s between the steering column and very near the seat, which could present a few potential safety issues. However, the padding has been retained on the steering wheel, so at least some parts of your body will be protected if there’s an accident.
Unfortunately, this one is said to have been inoperative and sitting for a number of years, so it is not currently running. The seller mentions that the engine seems to turn freely when the cord is pulled, so perhaps with some fuel-system work, that can be remedied without a complete rebuild. Though this creation may have a somewhat limited buying audience, I can appreciate the mods and craftsmanship displayed here, and it seems like a fun automobilia or amusement park novelty for a reasonable price. Any thoughts to share on this Lusse bumper car?
Cool, but not only the engine location, but it looks like not much floor to put your feet.