Autopia, January 1960
Well homies, it's high time that I used up the last four scans from a lot of slides that featured the Autopia - and ONLY the Autopia. How often does something like that happen? Only once, in my case. See the other posts HERE and HERE. I probably should have saved the best for last, but I didn't.
Check out this lucky fella, driving his fabulous Mark V vehicle, with no center rail to cramp his style. The Tomorrowland highway looks very much like one that you might see in one of your larger metropolitan areas (does your metropolitan area have a Monorail beamway?). This photo makes me happy.
The focus is juuuust a little bit soft here, but we must persevere. The girl in the blue car must be slow, cars are lined up behind her. Good thing they didn't put horns on those Autopia vehicles. I wonder if that was ever a consideration? Probably for about ten seconds until cooler heads prevailed.
This looks like one of my photos. Maybe the photographer was attempting to create a sense of tension and unease by placing anything of interest almost completely out of frame? Thus inspiring an existential crisis in the viewer? And also something something society? (I'm working on it).
Here's our girl, in her bewildered-looking blue car. Doesn't its "face" look like it just saw a streaker?
25 comments:
Major, if they put horns on the Autopia cars it would instantly become like one of those Goofy cartoons where he's driving on the freeway. Mayhem would ensue. Drivers would get so annoyed and frustrated that they would eat the steering wheel!
That 3rd one really is a head scratcher. Maybe the photographer had an involuntary twitch in his shutter finger and snapped a bit too soon. Or maybe he was fascinated by the oil slick in the center of the frame.
Number 4: Haha. The car's face looks like an Animatronic figure with its rubber skin removed; lidless eyes, armatures to make the eyebrows and mouth move.
Thanks for the joyride, Major.
In that last photo, the photographer had shouted out to the girl, "Don't look Ethel!" But it was too late. She'd already been mooned!
I's just in here gettin my tires checked
An' he just appeared out of the traffic
He come streakin' around the grease rack there
Didn't have nothin' on but a smile
I looked in there, and Ethel was gettin' her a cold drink
I hollered, "Don't look, Ethel!"
But it was too late
She'd already been mooned
Flashed her right there in front of the shock absorbers
(No, Andrew, I did not make up these lyrics.)
The bumpers are the fourth coming rail seem to take some fun and independence out of the ride- but I suppose both were necessary. I don’t remember a time on this ride that the person behind me did not go bashing into the back of me. Talk about needing a guard rail. I think this ride should go to all electric and be mini monorails that are self navigating on a trackless track that goes all over the place and each car has its own unique ride- some cars actually can switch directions and the others follow suit…so I’ve just redesigned Autopia- Disney: you are welcome. Autopia would not be the same without the noise and the smell- but I would not call fossil fuel the fuel of the future- since they ruin everything, this rides days are numbered. Cool cars- someone somewhere has got to have a complete collection of these cars. Jay Leno or something. Not a fan of this ride, but enjoy the vintage-ness of it all, and streakers even if off-camera. Funny thing is that during the streaker “years” I’m not sure if anyone streaked through Disneyland. Something to investigate this morning. Thanks Major.
Love these pre-rail Autopia pics. Especially the first two pics showing off the multi-layered Tomorrowland of Disneyland '59.
Thanks, Major.
Sue, sadly, there wasn't any hope for Ethel....that "shameless hussy." Say it isn't so, Ethel!"
Bu, when I was younger, I could handle the bumping and crashing from the people in the cars behind me. Now, I will only go on Autopia if the person I'm with is really pushing for it. But then they have to agree to ride in the car behind me, and to not bump into me. I really liked Tokyo Disneyland's Grand Circuit Raceway (Autopia), because they had an automatic braking system on their cars, which would not allow the cars to crash into one another. Not that the Japanese would ever do such a thing on purpose. It's us Americans, who really need a feature like that.
I think the Mark 7 Autopia’s are definitely my favorite design .... followed by today’s Autopia’s models - even though I know Bob Gurr didn’t care for today’s images. So many designs updates and changes were proposed after the MARK 7 ‘s , but were never implemented. Even for the 1999 new Autopia’s there were many nice designs proposed - even showed to the press at the groundbreaking .... but the 3 designs they chose are awful!! ESPECIALLY the “convertible” VW looking thing. The high end Mercedes car looks like it had too much yeast and overhangs to far over the wheelbase . The “suv-sport” is probably the best looking design of the three , but in general : not that great.
There have been many proposals regarding the electrification of AUTOPIA .... the Honda sponsored Autopia at Hong Kong Disneyland featured a anti collision feature and were also electric. As each car came into the loading zone a connection pad recharged the battery. The cars featured futuristic sound FX as they drove. The track layout was the shortest of any Autopia attraction. The car designs were very similar to the fat-frumpy cars Disneyland Paris uses.
Incidentally Tokyo Disneyland polls show guests greatly miss The Grand Circuit Raceway attraction in Tomorrowland.
Tokyo Disneyland’s retired Grand Circuit Raceway vehicles replaced all of the original Walt Disney World 1971/1975 Grand Prix Raceway vehicles .... however I am not aware if the anti-collision feature is working at WDW or not.
Most people missed the “Tomorrowland Auqua-Racers shown in the TRON COASTER Wdi concept art .... a proposal to replace the Speedway with a Aqua-Track.
WDI has some DL mark 7 Autopia’s , a few Grand Prix Raceway Cars and A TDL car, as well as a s few Mark 6 body shells ....and two midget Autopia cars ..... but no others. For one of the events leading up to the 1998 NewTomorrowland , DL events and the Disney Gallery held a Tomorrowland vehicle show and in preparation a search had already been done for the unbuilt TOMORROWLAND TRANSPORTATION WAREHOUSE RESTAURANT... and no older Autopia cars were found past the Mark 6 ( a special Walt Mark I was borrowed from the Disney Family ) no 1956 Skyway buckets , no Atomobiles , no Flying Saucers were discovered ...there were rumors that the spun aluminum nose cone to the Moonliner was saved .... and it appears it was .... however its whereabouts have been lost ..... probably inherited by family members who had no idea what it was ....
Sadly Autopia is one of the last of the attractions creating movement of tomorrowland that presents any activity or energy to the Tomorrowland - the infrequent appearance of the monorail .. and the AstroOrbitior way up front mostly not visible from the land’s interior. Electric or Gas ... it’s movement and energy is greatly needed in Tomorrowland.
Mike, I was surprised to see the Oriental Land Company get rid of Tokyo DL's "Autopia" and their Star Jets. That's interesting about the "guest poll." I have wondered if their guests lament the loss of attractions as much as we do here in the U.S. I was so enamored with their two parks,initially, but once they got rid of their Cinderella Castle Mystery Tour, and their Mickey Mouse Revue, I realized that they also ruin everything! Maybe it's just not at the same pace as the U.S. Disney parks.
Major and JB, Knott's Berry Farm's Antique Auto Ride (Tijuana Taxis) had dual steering wheels, with dual horns. I remember going on them and honking through most of the ride, especially in the tunnel! Then as an adult, I visited Castle Park, where Bud Hurlbut had relocated the attraction when Knott's got rid of it. I just had to ride it, and relive those childhood memories. I honked the horn on and off throughout the ride, and when I got back to the "station," the employee informed me that I got the car with the last working horn. Wheeeee!
Hallmark released an ornament of Mickey in an Autopia car this year, complete with the all-surrounding bumper! It goes with their Jungle Cruise ornament from last year. Of course, I need more Hallmark ornaments like I need another hole in my head.
I bought them anyway...
Love vintage pre-center rail Autopia photos.
Pic #1 "Oh yeah, I'm good. So ready for my behind-the-wheel driver license test next week!
Pic #3 "Isn't this how you drive? Mom's always bumping into the curb."
Pic #4 "Sigh, she doesn't drive any faster here than in a real car."
Major-
The photographer's favorite number is '10'. Hence the framing.
Vroom, vroom Major.
Major, not my favorite ride, but I’ll take these photos gladly. Thank you.
That car does look startled. I’ve read that some car designs work purposely to remind us of faces. I like this one, the “Smart Car”, not so much.
Love to read the stories, thanks everyone.
I’m curious, this attraction never seemed to have much “backstage”. It seemed that the vehicle storage, refueling and repairs took place right in sight of the queue. But this is no longer the case? Where did these activities move to? Are they under the elevated queue? (Which was a brilliant idea, by the way, the attraction would not work today without it.)
JG
JB, I always liked those Goofy cartoons, especially when he turned into a devil behind the wheel. Just like me! i think you are right about the twitchy photographer, they snapped just a second too early. And you’re right, the car does kind of look like an animatronic with the skin removed!
TokyoMagic!, that story is Shakespearean, when you think about it.
Lou and Sue, did you know those “lyrics” right off the top of your head??
Bu, yes, getting rear-ended by the dumb kid behind you is part of the Autopia experience. I remember one ride, when everything was backed up (not sure why) and the older kid behind me just kept bashing into my car. I wanted to murder him. People have proposed an electric version of the Autopia for many years, but I would bet that the powers that be would rather just tear the whole ride out and use that real estate for something that we probably won’t like. Interesting, I do wonder if anybody ever streaked at Disneyland!
K. Martinez, yeah, I’m kind of sorry that this batch is done, but no good thing lasts forever I suppose. I’m glad you liked these!
TokyoMagic!, I remember when I heard that song as a kid, I could not help picturing Vivian Vance whenever the “singer” mentioned Ethel. I wonder how that automatic breaking system works (the one in Tokyo)? Infrared beams? Sonar? Hyperintelligent hamsters? I think people have been trained by bumper cars that it’s OK to crash into others. I’ve never cared for bumper cars either!
Mike Cozart, I have to agree with you, the current Autopia cars are pretty crappy. Big dumb toy designs that do not inspire. ALL of Bob Gurr’s designs were sleek and sporty and appealing, even the cars that he deemed to be a failure. “Too much yeast”, HA HA! Exactly. My sister works in transportation and she has told me about electric charging systems that could be built into the street, they can somehow charge up an electric bus in much less time than I could ever imagine. Whoa, I did not know that Tokyo got rid of their Autopia (or “Grand Circuit Raceway”), what did they replace it with? It would sure be cool if one example of all of the old Autopia vehicles (or at least the shells) survived, but I doubt that most of them are still around. I wonder if they purposely destroyed them because they didn’t want others out there with a Disneyland vehicle? Or maybe it was a liability thing. At this point I think that the whole idea of a “land on the move” has been rejected, sadly.
TokyoMagic!, ha ha, and here I thought you liked everything about Tokyo Disneyland! I’m sure that they have die-hard fans there too, and they probably get upset about ride removals, although they might be more polite about their disapproval. Thanks for the story about Bud Hurlbut’s Antique Autos, very cool that you were on the last vehicle with a working horn - and funny that the employee clearly noticed that you liked to lean on the horn!
Stu29573, I’ve seen some Hallmark ornaments that are pretty cool (the Batcopter, Star Trek’s “Enterprise”, etc). It’s a smart idea though, make good quality miniature versions of beloved movie/TV artifacts. I only bought one Hallmark ornament (the aforementioned Batcopter) for my brother, and it must have gone right into a box, never to see the light of day again.
Yikes, I need to type faster!
Grant, ha ha, I wonder how many kids actually thought that they were ready for the REAL freeways? I’m imagining the grinding sound of that metal bumper hitting the curb in photo #3. MY EARS! It’s probably a good thing that they limit the speeds on the cars, imagine the amount of maiming that would happen even if they could go 2 or 3 mph faster.
Nanook, you must be right!
JG, my brother has told me about vintage cars that were supposedly not popular with the public because they perceived that the “face” of the car was angry or sad. Seems hard to believe, and yet…! Good question about where all of the current vehicles are serviced. Maybe they truck them to someplace off-site (or backstage)?
These pictures are full of whee! The kids look so happy.
Tokyo : yeah I don’t have the same Fascination with Tokyo Disneyland now that Meet the World , Mickey Mouse Revue and Mystery Tour are gone. I understand that the Mickey Mouse Revue was one the the favorites of one of the founders of the Oriental Land Company and that’s why it remained as long as it did.
At WDI across the hall from the model shop planing / scheduling office sat the Mickey Mouse Revue “Minnie Mouse” AA figure in her yellow dress .... on the floor against cubicle walls ... I’m not sure why she was there...,,
Major: recently Tokyo Disneyland expanded their fantasyland into Tomorrowland displacing Star Jets , Grand Circuit Raceway and Tomorrowland Terrace .... they added a Big Hero Six tow and whip ride ( it certainly isn’t an attraction) similar to the little green men and Tow Maters Tractor tow and whip ride.....
How about the horns on those kiddie "Convoy" truck rides? I think there's one at Knott's Berry Farm. The horns sound like clown horns, and each vehicle has four of them. SQUEAK SQUEAK
I wonder if the workers go crazy hearing those horns all day, or if they can just blank it out??
3 months working the Autopia was enough for me! Gas fumes, the engine noise...let alone hearing them turning into bumper cars in the back area...we always had someone on the lookout but he/she couldn't be everywhere. Now imagine adding the sound of horns to the mix. Good grief!!! Nope, my crew mates were great but, at my request, supervision returned me to Adventure/Frontierland...and I never went back! Funny thing, as a kid, I loved it! KS
Andrew, I forgot about the little truck ride at Knott's (in Camp Snoopy). Yes, those "clown horns" are horrible. I find it annoying just to walk by the ride!
Major, YOU thought of Vivian Vance's "Ethel Mertz" character, when listening to that song? I just knew you were a closet "I Love Lucy" fan! ;-)
I also always thought of Vivian Vance, when hearing Ray Stevens shout that name in the song. But I wonder why we weren't thinking of Ethel Merman, Ethel Kennedy, or Ethel Barrymore, instead?
Just as an FYI: I don't remember seeing any backstage anything for Autopia...but there were always cars backstage on the West side for repairs and whatnot. Sometimes you would see guys driving them around through the roads back behind Small World. The Autopia employees were a special breed...a little "harder" than the rest of the crowd. You would see/hear them yelling at guests all the time...which I suppose is better than someone getting run over. They went through a lot of ear plugs and would sometimes stop by the balloon room as we had a ear plug dispenser...or a big vat of them...don't remember which one. The ladies were just as tough as the guys...the only employees that came close to the toughness was the parking lot people. All this is my opinion only. They weren't gruff, just more like New Yorkers..."to the point". DO NOT BUMP THE CAR IN FRONT OF YOU PLEASE!
I wonder what happened to the gas powered free-driving “horse-less carriages” over at HENRY’S LIVERY at KNOTT’s Berry Farm??
"They weren't gruff, just more like New Yorkers..."to the point". DO NOT BUMP THE CAR IN FRONT OF YOU PLEASE!"
(hahaha!) As opposed to saying, "Let us please make this a magical experience for the guests ahead of us!"
Maybe the Autopia operators were frustrated DMV employees.
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