COIN-OPERATED KIDDIE RIDES 1 2 3 4 LION OIL KIDDIE RIDE CHAMPION HORSE KIDDIE RIDE COIN-OPERATED PONY KIDDIE RIDE PEGASUS KIDDIE RIDE 5 1998 HARLEY-DAVIDSON SPRINGER KIDDIE RIDE 6 7 LUCKY THE COW MECHANICAL RIDE 1956 CHRIS CRAFT SPEEDBOAT KIDDIE RIDE 8 1972 INDIAN MM5 MINI BIKE COIN-OP 9 1984 YAMAHA TR-Z50 COIN-OP KIDDIE RIDE 10 ALLAN HERSCHELL CO. GUN-CARRYING TANK KIDDIE RIDE Outside of the animal representations of some of the top sellers, the rest of the top 2020 kiddie ride lots share a different common theme: transportation. The top contender of the automotive theme was the 1998 Harley-Davidson Springer Kiddie Ride offered at Mecum Las Vegas, and it had all the appeal of a real-life motorbike. Including hand brakes, saddle bags and lights, the 50-cent operative ride is brought to life not only by its realistic accessories, but also by its animated lights and sound. However, it wasn’t just Harley-Davidson that stole the show; from a 1972 Indian MM5 to a 1984 Yamaha TR-Z50, the vehicular-based models proved to be just as noteworthy as their nature-themed counterparts. Both previously mentioned lots sold for $6,195 at the Mecum Las Vegas auction, and both were products of topline restorations. Originally parked outside of grocery stores and other retail outlets, the kiddie rides are now settled into new, appreciative homes. Rounding out both the vehicular section of kiddie rides as well as the 2020 top 10 are two less-common modes of transport. A 25-cent restored 1956 Chris Craft Speedboat Kiddie Ride finished in red and brown brought in a total of $6,490 at the Kissimmee auction and was representative of some of the more unique kiddie rides in existence. And, finally, the Allan Herschell Company Gun-Carrying Tank Kiddie Ride, as featured previously in Mecum Magazine, finishes off the list. The all-steel aluminum ride featured custom paint, full sound effects and custom upholstery, making it quite the draw for collectors who bid on the Eddie Vannoy Collection. AUCTION KISSIMMEE 2020 GLENDALE 2020 EDDIE VANNOY COLLECTION 2020 GLENDALE 2020 LAS VEGAS 2020 DAVENPORT 2020 KISSIMMEE 2020 LAS VEGAS 2020 LAS VEGAS 2020 EDDIE VANNOY COLLECTION 2020 SOLD PRICE $9,440 $9,440 $8,496 $7,670 $7,670 $7,080 $6,490 $6,195 $6,195 $5,900 From lions and horses to motorcycles and boats, the kiddie ride industry has featured them all, and this year’s top 10 lineup is only the tip of the kiddie-ride-collecting iceberg. From 2020 to 2021, the demand for these commodities has not lessened, and as the years pass by, their desirability, and their value, is likely only to continue to grow. MECUM.COM • 103
