Chance Skydiver Car. Neven + Neven Moderne, Hudson, NY
It’s sad when retired carnival rides go unsold or are broken up for parts. We can only hope the old cars find an appreciative new home. For $3,500, you can spin yourself silly in this restored Skydiver ride car being offered by Neven + Neven Moderne, an art dealer in Hudson, New York. “Has wheels (not attached), for moving. Can be mounted to spin, or can sit on wheels,” according to the item’s description.
Produced from 1965 to 1979 by Chance Manufacturing, the Skydiver was a Ferris wheel-like ride whose cars were equipped with a steering wheel that let riders do barrel rolls. It’s considered a classic by ride aficionados but very few parks and carnivals have Skydivers nowadays.
During its heyday, state fair midways featured as many as three Skydivers in a row for the flash. Coney Island had a Skydiver as well as Chance’s one and only double Skydiver, called the Tumbler. Both rides were owned and operated by the McCullough family, who had rides in Coney Island for more than 50 years.
If you want to ride, you can still find a Skydiver at Lakemont Park in Pennsylvania, Silverwood in Idaho, and at fairs played by the traveling carnivals Christiansen Amusements, Campy’s Amusements and Powers Great American Midway.
Related posts on ATZ…
September 4, 2012: Exclusive: McCullough’s Kiddie Park Closing After 50 Years in Coney Island
May 18, 2012: Rare & Vintage: Pinto Bros. Pony Cart from Coney Island
December 19, 2010: Rare & Vintage: Original Coney Island Motordrome Bike
May 21, 2009: Astroland Closed But Your Kid Can Still Ride the USS Astroland This Summer!
Amusing the Zillion 
At the end of The Warriors, when the gang is walking down the Bowery between West 12 and Stillwell, you can see the Chance Skydiver at the corner of West 12 and the Bowery.
Wow! A role in the Warriors
I didn’t realize the Tumbler was so rare. I didn’t know Coney Island had one. We had one at Rye Playland in the 70s. I grew up literally right next door to Playland and I used to ride the Tumbler several times per week. Poor, deprived kid, huh? ;)
It was a sad day when they took the Tumbler away. I didn’t even know it was going to be dismantled. I just noticed it was gone one day.
I would love to buy one of the Skydiver cars, but I’m still working diligently on my c. 1920 Mangels Whip Car and I don’t want to spread too thin.
Anyone can visit my Whip Car restoration at the coneyisland dot com message board (forum). It’s in the “History” section.
Keep up the great work here, Tricia. It’s always a delight to visit.
The Tumbler left Rye Playland to go to Coney Island!
Good luck with your Whip car restoration
for those who dont know the scene i am talking about, here is a screen capture
Great photo! Thanks for sharing it
That’s a nice looking Skydiver car! It would be interesting if someone rigged it to run as a go kart or something equally ridiculous. I beleive Majestic Midways out of PA also has a Skydiver, although it’s not listed on their site.
I emailed Majestic to ask if they still have it but didn’t hear back yet. Sad to think there’s just a handful operating.
enjoyed the Skydiver post—the ultimate Skydiver post!–on your blog The DoD3: “White Trash Carny Ride #1: Sky Diver”
PGAM’s Skydiver has new LED lights and looks fantastic. I rode it at the NC State Fair this year. They run it WIDE OPEN, too.
Video of PGAM Skydiver lights!
that is so cool!
That was cool, I didn’t know anything like this is kinda rare. I was reading through the comments and I got curious about The Warrior, googled it and turns out it was a film in 1979. I think I should watch it too.
The Warriors is a classic movie with often quoted dialogue. I purchased a Warriors t-shirt from a local beach shop here in Coney Island wore it to Disneyworld. I was stopped several times about the shirt. They liked it. There are at least two versions of the movie. The classic movie released and a directors cut released a couple of years ago. Jury is out which is better. Personally, I like the directors cut. There might even be a third version with some extra video in the beginning of the movie shot on the Boardwalk here in Coney.
I used to work with someone, turns out he was a extra in the big gang scene near the beginning of the movie. teased him constantly with the phrase… Warriors.. come out and play a yea ;)
Bruce
Thanks for the info Bruce, I have downloaded the movie already. Haven’t able to watch it yet though
The Skydiver In The Scene From The Warriors Was Owned And Operated By John H Tilyou Of The Steeplechase Tilyou’s.
whats the value on a skydiver cart that I would give a 9.5 out of 10 with the seat restored?
I remember riding one at the CNE in Toronto, and 33 years ago I rode it in a sudden downpour, the drive tire went flat, and I was stuck on it for a half an hour! Good thing I was facing downwards halfway up (almost towards the base)!