Flying Cars

The Flying Cars was an attraction at Riverview Park in Chicago, Illinois, that was introduced in 1954.

The attraction consisted of a barrel with a track inside for cars to ride freewheeling. The cars were held onto the drum by a rail and floating clamp system. As the drum would spin, the single person cars would follow the track and eventually begin to go upside down. The drum steadily increased its speed and the cars would let it roll beneath their wheels as they followed the track. The cars' brakes were then applied causing them to quickly accelerate up to the speed of the drum's surface, around 30 mph. 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 slowed to a halt. In the mid 1950's, the four car ride overturned on the first embankment, seriously injuring several riders. There was also a fatality when a young female failed to properly fasten her safety belt and was killed after falling out. The attraction was shut down and removed shortly thereafter due to safety concerns.