Safari Jeep and Forest Ranger

Released by RG Mitchell in 1996, the Forest Ranger and Safari Jeep were two open-top two seater cars sold as part of their Premium Rides range.


Safari Jeep - 2000 RG Mitchell Catalogue

The Forest Ranger was yellow with green strips and red wheels and interior, while the Safari Jeep was striped white and black with a blue interior.


Skegness Pleasure Beach, June 2017.  Unfortunately, this unit was mute.  Such a shame that a once common ride is now impossible to find, especially in fully working order.

Both rides had "rolling road" display screens and four push buttons for realistic jungle or animal sound effects inside.


Forest Ranger - 2000 RG Mitchell Catalogue

This mould was also used for an open-top version of the 4-Track jeep.  It was much rarer than either the Safari Jeep and Forest Ranger, or the original 4-Track, but I have seen them in a few different colours over the years.


"Open-top 4-Track" - Southend Pier, September 2018

4-Track

 This 4x4 was released as part of RG Mitchell's "Toy Town Premium Rides" range in 1996.  It was sold in several different colour schemes, but white and purple was by far the most common.


4-Track - 2001 RG Mitchell Catalogue

The 4-Track's special features included a "rolling road" display and an interactive sound effects panel with four push buttons.  It was a very popular ride, especially at Mothercare and various supermarkets at the time of release.


Funland, Blackpool, August 2018

Another version, released a couple of years later, was Mr Postie.  This red post van used the same mould but obviously had a completely different colour scheme and concept.  This time the ride was red with a yellow interior.  Mr Postie never gained the same popularity as the 4-Track and I only ever saw a small handful of them.


Mr Postie - 2001 RG Mitchell Catalogue

A Police 4-Track variant was also apparently released in the late 1990s but I've never even seen a picture of that one to the best of my knowledge.

According to RG Mitchell advertising material, the rides measured 65" x 30" x 54" and weighed 308lbs.  All versions cost £2,645.00 each to purchase as of the 2001 price list.

Musical Mushroom

 Manufactured by RG Mitchell of Skegness, the Musical Mushroom was released in January 1996.  There was space for two children inside the mushroom, which rotated gently back and forth once a coin was inserted.  It was coloured in cream and red with various peaceful "countryside" pictures on the outside (including birds, grass, trees and rabbits).


2000 RG Mitchell Catalogue

"This unique two seater incorporates two separate educational and hugely enjoyable features.  One child plays a tune whilst the other matches buttons with eight animals on the interactive display panel."


Skegness Pier, September 2018.  Unfortunately, the dog button didn't work on this unit which prevented me from continuing with the matching game.

The Musical Mushroom measured 46" x 74" and weighed 220lbs.  It cost £2,795.00 to purchase as of the 2001 price list.

Sooty

 Manufactured by RG Mitchell of Skegness, the Sooty Campervan ride was released in 1996.  It features an interactive game with a voice over by Matthew Corbett.


Joyland, Great Yarmouth, April 2017

Veteran Car

 This blue and red two-seater car was released by Whittaker Brothers in the mid-1990s.  I believe it played Chitty Chitty Bang Bang when in motion, and had a push button for a horn sound effect.


1990s Whittaker Brothers Leaflet

It never seemed to be as popular as some of the other Whittaker rides of the era, and I actually only ever remember riding on one as a child.


Walton-on-the-Naze Pier, August 1996

The car measured 61" x 28" x 25" and weighed 198lbs.


Blackpool Zoo, October 2023.  While this unit plays Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, I don't believe this was the original version used on the ride.  I'm also pretty sure the car wasn't ever sold in yellow originally, but don't know if this refurbishment was completed by Whittaker Brothers or another company.

Alligator

 Manufactured by Whittaker Brothers, the Alligator was released in the mid-1990s.  It shared a similar design to many other Whittaker animals rides of the time, with a cut-out in its back, and space for two riders, with each having a random steering wheel!


1990s Whittaker Brothers Leaflet

The ride played a cut version of "The Unicorn Song" when in motion.  It also had a push button for a "growl" sound effect.


Blackpool Zoo, October 2023.  Unfortunately, this unit was mute.

As with many other Whittaker Brothers rides, the Alligator underwent a colour makeover around the turn of the 21st century to give him a more modern appearance.


2002 Whittaker Brothers Leaflet

According to an old Whittaker Brothers leaflet, the ride measured 64" x 30" x 63".

Hippo

Manufactured by Whittaker Brothers, this hippo ride was released in the early 1990s.

Walton-on-the-Naze Pier, August 1998

I believe it originally played "Mud Glorious Mud" when in action.

Blackpool Zoo, October 2023.  Unfortunately, this unit was mute.