Happened to run across this picture of an old 'friend'.
This truck carried the Tilt-O-Whirl with the steel girders and track panels on the lower portion and the cars on the top yellow section.
We had just removed the ride from this truck as part of a carnival set up in Hinsdale, IL. for the 4th of July, 1969.
It looked better back then being shiny red and bright yellow.
Many good memories of that job and this truck in particular.
Probably can add a bunch of stories about the job as the summer progresses.

This message has been edited. Last edited by: Steve 22X,

Now that must be a slow roll down memory lane

If I had your history with it (and the $$$ to do so) I would buy it and restore it as a camper.
Cool old truck!
And after all this time, how did you find it?

Yeah, that would make a sweet RV/camper conversion or if getting her running is too much, an in-place camper.

Dizid yizue lizearn sizome cizarny?


Thanks for sharing.

1969, eighth grade, next town over in LaGrange. Might have ridden that T-O-W at some point. Remember the Dispensa & Sons name!

Good story. Esthetics don't matter as much as the memories. If you can get it running and mechanically sound, do that and enjoy it as it is. It's only original once.

quote:

Originally posted by YooperSigs:
If I had your history with it (and the $$$ to do so) I would buy it and restore it as a camper.
Cool old truck!
And after all this time, how did you find it?

I was thinking restore it and it would be a good vehicle to take to races and other outdoor events...

I told my wife if I hit the big time, I am quitting all this nonsense.

I want a carnival ride and a small campter (airstream bambi) and then I will go full time. my dog, my truck, my ride, the camper, two glocks, and an AR. . . . maybe a phone and laptop. No, I dont need those.

Would love to read about some of your adventures back then.

P.S. in lieu of the ride, I would do a simple food truck that only does hand dipped corndogs, funnel cakes, and lemonade.

Just to be clear, I only found the picture not the actual truck.

On 7/4/1969 about this time of day (1:30 pm) the 4th of July parade passed the carnival.
Ray Raynor, a local personality and TV clown was waving at the crowd in his persona of Ronald McDonald.
Although the carnival operation continued, most of the crowd went to see as Ronald passed by.
I believe he was the first person to portray that role and as such people wanted to see the unusual TV personality up close.

quote:

Originally posted by Sailor1911:
1969, eighth grade, next town over in LaGrange. Might have ridden that T-O-W at some point. Remember the Dispensa & Sons name!

I worked set up and disassembly of the Tilt O Whirl.
Although I weighed about 130 lbs at the time I was expected to keep up with the college guys assembling the iron work and tracks.
Because I was shorter than them, I got to push the cars on/off the upper deck where four of them would raise/lower them.
I would run my hand behind the seat cushions and would often find small change.
Even 25 cents is a bonus when one was only making $1.25 per hour.

The ride my friend Don and I actually ran during the carnivals was the Rock O Plane.

7/20/1969
Running the Rock O Plane ride at the Palatine, IL carnival.

• Stung by a bee
  
• Caught a giant moth (9"~10" wingspan) later taken by a fireman.
  
• Watched the moon landing or stated more accurately, Neil Armstrong setting foot on the Moon.

One of the owners sons had brought a small portable black and white TV to the carnival.
At approximately 9:35 pm (CDT) all of the rides were stopped and as many as could fit gathered around his TV.
At 9:39 pm (CDT) Armstrong set foot on the moon.
The rides resumed operation around 9:45~9:50 pm (CDT)