We’ve been helping reader Don L thin his collection (check out his Packard), which includes more than just cars! He has an interesting mix of automobilia as well and he’d like to clear some of it out as well. So, the first of his automobilia that he’d like to offer here as a Barn Finds Auction is a cool one! This coin-op Corvette Kiddie car has been sitting in his barn for a number of years and is covered in dust, but it works great still! So, if you’ve been looking for a cool piece of automobilia to park in your garage, office or living room, be sure to bid on this tiny Corvette!
Coin-op rides like this have been putting smiles on faces for decades. I’m sure we all have memories of this type of ride, whether it was in front of the local grocery store or in a mall. Just think how excited your children/grandchildren will be when they see this sitting in your garage! And the best part is, they will be able to climb in it and go for a “spin”. Don recorded a quick video to show that it works as it should, it’s not the best quality but it does give you a good idea of how it operates.
We’ve featured a few coin-op rides, but none quite like this one. It’s clearly styled after the late ’70s Stingray. The majority of these arcade rides we’ve looked at are one piece of molded fiberglass, whereas this one has separately mounted steering wheel, wheels, and rubber tires. It looks like you could remove the car from the base and have it sitting on the floor or hanging on the wall, but since the electronics work, we’d leave it together so the young car enthusiasts in the family can enjoy it! According to the sticker on the coin box, this is a Kiddie Amusements, Inc of Florence, Mississippi ride. Other than some business filings, I wasn’t able to find any information on the company, so I’m unsure if they built the ride or if they ran the business that placed these in malls, outside grocery stores, and at amusement parks.
Growing up in a small town, there weren’t many rides like this around, but I have a few very happy memories of climbing behind the wheel of a Mustang styled ride in a nearby community. There was just something exciting about climbing in, grabbing the steering wheel, and pretending I was on the open road! Unfortunately, I don’t think I’d be able to fit in this one to relive that experience, but that doesn’t mean I wouldn’t love to have it sitting in the man cave.
While it needs some cleaning and a few touchups, this Corvette Kiddie ride is in really nice shape. If you happen to know more about Kiddie Amusements, Inc we sure would love to know the story behind these rides! So, be sure to take a closer look, leave any questions in the comments below, and cast your highest bid!
- Location: Junction City, Kansas
Bid On This Auction
Phand bid $800.00 2019-12-03 10:23:03
Dodos Trading Post bid $100.00 2019-11-28 03:32:46
Auction your car here on Barn Finds for only $99!
Does it have a Bloomington gold award??
Wheeee! Just think, for two bits a ride, it makes it the most cost efficient classic car ride today, and that’s so sad, I think I’m gonna cry,,,
FYI, “Kiddie Amusements” would have been the company that put the ride on the sidewalk and split the quarters with the location (I was once in that business). Reminds me of some of the rides I once owned.
Hi Fred, amazing, hey, and still made money. I saw an old post card rack, said, “postcards, .02 cents each”, and somebody STILL made money. I guess today, why bother with that chump change, when everybody’s attention has shifted to making tens of thousands on a VW bus.
Can you please list the size of the vehicle? Length? Width would help, too. Guestimate of the weight? and City and State of pick up? Also do you have the key to the coin box? Looks great, I’d love to buy it, but I live in Erie, PA and I have to make sure it’s worth the trip, and that I can get it back home for a reasonable cost. Thank you!!
I’ll see if Don can measure it for you!