Highway Patrol

1966 Edwin Hall Catalogue

Released by Edwin Hall & Co. in January 1961, this machine consisted of an Indian motorcycle imported from Lenaerts of Belgium, and assembled as a coin operated ride at Hall's workshop.  This was quite unusual as Hall designed almost all of his other kiddie ride models himself.

Both one and two-seater versions were made.  Originally released under the name of "Highway Patrol", it was later sold as plain old "Motorcycle".  When a coin was inserted, the motorcycle's wheels would turn and the machine would vibrate and rattle. The same motion was used on some of Hall's other rides, such as Genevieve and Noddy's Car.  The earliest models had the coin mechanism housed inside a miniature Belisha beacon.

It became one of Edwin Hall's most popular rides, still being produced into the early 1970s.  

Measurements given in the 1966 Edwin Hall catalogue are 59" x 28" x 58" with a weight of 308lbs.

Pleasureland, Whitby, June 2014.  This particular bike has apparently been at Pleasureland from new.  I can remember riding it as a child in the 1990s for sure!  I feel very privileged to have had the chance to film this ride.  It was in amazing condition for its age, with most of its original paintwork.  The coin mechanism was a bit temperamental but a kind member of staff managed to get it working (hence the lack of coin insertion in this video).