The Flying Cars. The Craziest Amusement Park Ride I've Ever Seen!

The Flying Cars were a German-made ride built for Chicago's great Riverview Park in 1954. 

Riders were strapped into a small car inside a large rotating barrel. The barrel had a track inside for the cars to ride freewheeling. The cars were held onto the drum by a rail and floating clamp system. As the drum would spin the 1 person car would follow the track and eventually begin to go upside down. 

The Flying Cars

The Flying Cars

The drum steadily increases its speed and the cars let it roll beneath their wheels as they follow the track. The cars' brakes are then applied to cause them to quickly accelerate up to the speed of the drum's surface which is around 30 mph causing the cars to go 360°. The operator of Flying Cars would spin the drum for two minutes and then release the brakes causing the cars to come to a complete stop while the drum also slows to a halt. 

It sounds like fun! Unfortunately, someone failed to properly fasten their safety belt and was killed after falling out. That was the end of the Flying Cars.

Compiled by Neil Gale, Ph.D.