One of NASCAR themed race cars from the Zamperla Speedway ride at Deno’s Wonder Wheel Park. March 2, 2015. Photo via Deno’s Wonder Wheel Park
This season in Coney Island, the famed Whip returns with a NASCAR twist. One of the three new family rides debuting at Deno’s Wonder Wheel Park this spring is the popular Speedway, a Mangels’ Whip inspired ride manufactured by Zamperla. Race cars revolve around an oval track and whip around the ends against a colorful backdrop of race scenes. Adults and children can enjoy riding together, which is a plus for parents taking kids for their first rides at an amusement park.
Speedway ride being assembled at Deno’s Wonder Wheel Park. March 2, 2015. Photo via Deno’s Wonder Wheel Park
William F. Mangels, the inventor of such early 20th century thrill rides as the Whip and the Tickler, is one of the amusement industry pioneers honored in the Coney Island Hall of Fame. The beloved vintage Mangels’ Fire Engine and Pony Cart rides in Deno’s Kiddie Park and the 1919 B&B Carousell were manufactured at the Mangels’ factory on 8th Street. The Whip, which was patented more than a century ago, in 1914, was a huge success. A 1924 ad described it as “Famous throughout the world –The WHIP! Thrilling amusement ride – a product of Coney Island – manufactured exclusively by WF Mangels- Coney Island NY USA,” followed by a list of foreign reps.
Fatty Arbuckle Rides the Whip in 1917 silent film comedy 'Coney Island'
Coney Island has had dozens of Whips, but the ride eventually disappeared from the place of its origin.
As William F. Mangels said when he was in his 80s, “This business is one of cycles. Old things come back into popularity.”
The Speedway ride will go for its first spin at Deno’s Wonder Wheel Park on March 29, which is Palm Sunday and Coney Island’s Opening Day.
Zamperla Speedway in Action. Photo via Zamperla
Related posts on ATZ…
January 20, 2015: Coney Island 2015: Deno’s Wonder Wheel Park Adds Scrambler, ‘Twist & Shout’ Drop Tower
February 28, 2013: Coney Island Shooting Gallery from 1940s Makes Comeback
February 1, 2011: Bring Back the Whip! A Birthday Gift for William F Mangels
May 21, 2009: Astroland Closed But Your Kid Can Still Ride the USS Astroland This Summer!
Amusing the Zillion 
I hate to ask, and will probably shed a tear, but before there is new, something old must go. I think I still see the canopy for the old boat ride, so that is still there. I wouldn’t mind seeing the elevator ride gone. But I hope the boats are still there. Not for popularity reasons, but historic.
The new Speedway will replace the Flying Elephants. I sure liked photographing that ride! By the elevator ride, I’m guessing you mean the Free Fall in the southwest corner of the park? It will be replaced by a drop tower that like the Speedway and one more new ride parents and kids can ride together.
I had a Mangels kiddie whip in Florida. Think it came off the Endy Shows. Re themed it as the Bat Whip during the Batman TV show era. Bought some parts from Mangels in Coney Island which was still operating at that time. Have some wonderful 8 mm film of my Mom and Dad riding it. Had a wooden fence which I made all my young help paint one section. They fast got out of the habit of standing with one foot on the fence and talking with their friends because it might have been ”their” painted section that they were messing up!
jack
how wonderful to be able to say “I had a Mangels kiddie whip”!! Would love to see the home movies of the Bat Whip. Maybe you can convert them to DVD
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