Pongo

In case the name didn't give you a clue, Pongo was a dog...a dalmatian to be precise.  He was released in 1965, designed by Les Quaintance as part of Whittaker Brothers' Musical Animals range.  The tune that he played was "How Much Is That Doggie In The Window?"


Whittaker Brothers Advert - The Coin Slot, December 1970

Les Quaintance himself said that Disney was a big influence in the design of his rides and this one if, of course, no exception.  While the ride was never officially licensed, Pongo was heavily based on the 101 Dalmatians film of 1961.

Pongo was one of the rides that Whittaker Brothers continued to produce after modernising their musical animal kiddie rides range in 1974.

JM Kiddie Rides also manufactured this dalmatian under the simple name of "Dog".  The earliest reference I've found of their version is an advert printed in the Coin Slot in March 1976.


JM Kiddie Rides Pongo - Merrivale Model Village, Great Yarmouth, September 2012.  Sadly, this particular unit was mute.  I don't know what music the JM Kiddie Rides version would have played originally, probably whatever was to hand in the workshop at the time!  He has obviously been repainted too, in much bolder shades than the original, although I believe his spots and other markings have been left pretty much in their original places.