Jazz Van

 The Jazz Van was a white and pink vehicle with a musical theme, manufactured by Whittaker Brothers and released in the mid-1990s.  The van was sold in both double and single seater versions, the latter having a dalmatian figure "passenger" on one of the seats.  The ride played "Pookie Doodle Puppy" when in motion, and there were three buttons for additional sound effects (two different barking dog sounds and a beeping horn).


Jazz Van with Dog - 1990s Whittaker Brothers Leaflet

As with many other Whittaker Brothers rides of this era, the van's colours were updated a few times to give it a more modern look.


Jazz Van with Dog - 2000 Whittaker Brothers Leaflet

The ride measured 57" x 28" x 60" and weighed 245lbs.


Central Pier, Blackpool, August 2018


Green and orange variant - Humber Pastimes, Cleethorpes, September 2021


Tie-dyed variant - Palins Holiday Park, Towyn, May 2017

The same mould was also used for updated versions of Whittaker Brothers' "Road Transport" rides (School Bus, Police Van and Post Van), released in the mid-1990s.  The puppy passenger was then offered as an optional extra for those as well.


School Bus with Dog - Merrivale Model Village, Great Yarmouth, September 2012


School Bus - 2002 Whittaker Brothers Leaflet

To add to the confusion, Whittaker Brothers then decided to make further versions of the Road Transport Series around the turn of the 21st century, this time with the Post Van replaced by a Fire Engine.  The dog passenger was also replaced, with a different human character made for each vehicle and Welephant the elephant becoming a second option for the Fire Engine!  These later versions don't seem to have been very popular and I never saw any of the non-puppy characters in real life.


School Bus with Child Passenger - 2002 Whittaker Brothers Leaflet

The mould itself was also slightly updated in the early 2000s with a small ridge added to the back of the roof of the car, among other things.


Jazz Van with Dog (New mould) - 2002 Whittaker Brothers Leaflet

Another variation of the Jazz Van which used this later mould was the Ice Cream Van.  Coloured in white and yellow and decorated with pictures of ice creams and lollies, this van was also made in single or double seater versions, with a yellow teddy bear being the passenger of choice on the single seater.


Ice Cream Van - 2002 Whittaker Brothers Leaflet