Chance Rides#Chance Wheels

{{Redirect|Chance Operations}}

Chance Manufacturing was incorporated in 1961 by Richard H. (Harold) Chance. Harold Chance had been involved in the amusement business since 1946, building small trains for the Ottaway Amusement Company. He designed a {{Track gauge|24in|lk=on}} narrow gauge replica of the C. P. Huntington, a well-known steam locomotive built in 1863 for the Central Pacific Railroad.{{cite web|url=http://www.parks.ca.gov/?page_id=21608|title=Southern Pacific Railroad Steam Locomotive No. 1|publisher=California Department of Parks and Recreation|access-date=June 2, 2014}} Titled by the same name, Chance's C. P. Huntington is the company's most successful product line. In 1967, Chance began producing Starliner Trams under the subsidiary Chance Coach. In 1970, Chance acquired the assets of the Allan Herschell Company. Richard G. Chance (Dick Chance) assumed control of the company and formed Chance Industries, Inc. in 1985 to oversee the various divisions – Chance Rides, Chance Coach, and Chance Operations. In December 1986, Chance then acquired Bradley & Kaye, a ride manufacturer specialized in children's rides and carousel figures.{{cite web|title=About the Author |url=http://makerofdreams.com/about-the-author/ |publisher=Maker of Dreams |access-date=August 23, 2016 |quote=In December 1986, when Chance Rides, Inc. acquired Bradley & Kaye, a Long Beach, California based ride manufacturer specializing in children’s rides and carrousel animals, Swinson saw a new opportunity for Chance Rides in the shopping center industry, which he was already familiar with because of his commercial real estate background. |url-status=bot: unknown |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150213010146/http://makerofdreams.com/about-the-author/ |archive-date=February 13, 2015 }}

For several years, Chance Rides Manufacturing products were sold under the brand Chance Morgan. In 2011, the company reintroduced the Chance Rides brand which encompasses Chance Morgan Coasters, Inc. and Chance Rides Manufacturing. On September 17, 2011, trade publication Amusement Today presented Chance Rides with the Golden Ticket Award for Supplier of the Year, in honor of the company's 50th anniversary.{{Citation | last = Seifert | first = Jeffrey | title = For 50 years, Chance Rides delivers rides, fun to the amusement industry| journal = Amusement Today | volume = 15 | issue = 6.2 | pages = 32 | date = September 2011 }}

In 2023, Chance Rides was sold to Missouri-based private equity firm Permanent Equity.{{Cite web |title=Wichita amusement park ride manufacturer sold to private firm |url=https://www.kake.com/story/49140279/wichita-amusement-park-ride-manufacturer-sold-to-private-firm |access-date=2023-07-01 |website=www.kake.com |language=en}}

File:Miniature Railway.JPG.]]

Chance Rides began to fabricate their 2 ft narrow gauge C. P. Huntington locomotive in 1961. These locomotives can be powered by gasoline, diesel, propane or electric motors; as of 2025, only the electric model is being offered. Its drive wheels are not powered, but roll on the rails while fake side rods reciprocate in and out of fake cylinders. Power is instead provided by the front and rear trucks.

With more than 400 examples built as of 2022, the C. P. Huntington has become the most popular park train since the Allan Herschell Company merged into Chance Industries in 1970 and production of the S-24 Iron Horse train ceased. Locomotives and coaches can be customized in a variety of ways.

Chance Carrousels (deliberately spelled with two "R"s) were introduced in 1971 following the acquisition of the Allan Herschell Company the previous year. Chance modified the Herschell design giving it a more ornate style. After Chance purchased Bradley & Kaye in December 1986, Chance was able to use the molds and manufacturing rights to 62 carousel figures produced by Bradley & Kaye owner, David Bradley. He had carefully reproduced prized carousel animals from famous carvers over the previous 20 years and new molds were cast at the Chance facility under his direction, until Bradley died in 1988.{{cite web |title=Beverly Park and Ponyland: The 'Kiddieland' that Inspired Walt Disney |last=Meares |first=Hadley |publisher=KCET |url=http://www.kcet.org/socal/departures/columns/lost-landmarks/beverly-park-and-ponyland-the-kiddieland-that-inspired-walt-disney.html |date=November 1, 2013 |access-date=February 5, 2015 }} These famous reproductions with spectacular detail have been included on Chance carrousels since the late 1980s. With the merger of the D. H. Morgan line of carousels, some of the unique Morgan figures have been added to the collection as well. All Chance Rides carousel figures are made from fiberglass. By 2013, Chance had produced over 300 carousels, making it the largest carousel manufacturer in the United States.{{Cite web|last=Voorhis|first=Dan|date=May 26, 2013|title=Carousel Painters at Chance Rides Add Artistic Touches|url=https://www.kansas.com/news/business/article1116174.html|work=The Wichita Eagle|access-date=April 10, 2025|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160923012437/https://www.kansas.com/news/business/article1116174.html|archive-date=September 23, 2016}}

The first Ferris wheel from Chance, the Astro Wheel, was sold to showman Don Franklin and debuted at the 1967 Iowa State Fair. It featured 16 cars with two passengers per car.{{cite book|last=Chance|first=Harold|title=The Book of Chance|year=2004|publisher=Wichita Press|location=Wichita, Kansas|isbn=0-9649065-0-3|page=44}} The first park model, an 80-foot Giant Wheel, was built in 1975 at Valleyfair amusement park in Minnesota.{{cite book|last=Chance|first=Harold|title=The Book of Chance|year=2004|publisher=Wichita Press|location=Wichita, Kansas|isbn=0-9649065-0-3|page=56}} It features 18 cars holding four passengers per car and is still in operation. The Giant Wheel/Century Wheel was introduced in various sizes in both park and portable models in 1988.{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2001/05/20/nyregion/ferris-wheel-comes-full-circle.html|title=Ferris Wheel Comes Full Circle|date=May 20, 2001|newspaper=New York Times|access-date=January 17, 2016}}

In 2006, Chance worked with Ronald Bussink Professional Rides of Switzerland and Dutch Wheels BV, a division of Vekoma Rides, to produce larger wheels such as the Niagara SkyWheel which stands {{Convert|53.3|m|ft|0|abbr=on}} tall.{{cite magazine|url=http://www.amusementtoday.com/dutch-wheels-expands-its-activities-into-the-north-american-market/|title=Dutch Wheels expands its activities into the North American market|date=October 31, 2012|magazine=Amusement Today|access-date=November 4, 2012}} It features 42 air-conditioned cars seating eight passengers per car.{{Cite web|url=https://www.prweb.com/releases/niagara/skywheel/prweb403069.htm|title=One of a Kind 'Giant Wheel' Debuts in Niagara Falls, Canada|website=PRWeb|access-date=August 23, 2020|archive-date=July 31, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200731131014/http://www.prweb.com/releases/niagara/skywheel/prweb403069.htm|url-status=dead}} According to Chance Rides director Angus Jenkins, the larger wheels are known as observation wheels as opposed to Ferris wheels, since they carry riders in enclosed cars rather than in open seats.{{cite web|url=http://www.kansas.com/2014/01/16/3232787/chance-rides-of-wichita-building.html|title=Chance Rides of Wichita building 175-foot-tall observation wheel for resort outside D.C.|last=Voorhis|first=Dan|date=January 16, 2014|publisher=The Wichita Eagle|access-date=June 2, 2014|archive-date=June 5, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140605055615/http://www.kansas.com/2014/01/16/3232787/chance-rides-of-wichita-building.html|url-status=dead}}

On October 19, 2012, Chance Rides announced a long term license agreement with Bussink Design GmbH for the exclusive rights to manufacture and sell the R80XL Giant Wheel in North America.{{Cite web|url=https://www.chancerides.com/r80wheel/|title=R80XL Giant Wheel – CHANCE RIDES}} Chance Rides will market the R80XL, which is over {{Convert|250|ft|m|0|abbr=on}} tall, under an affiliate company, Chance American Wheels. The first R80XL wheel was manufactured by Maurer German Wheels in Munich, Germany, and was delivered to the city early in 2013.{{cite magazine |url=http://www.amusementtoday.com/chance-rides-signs-exclusive-deal-with-bussink-design/ |title=Chance Rides signs exclusive deal with Bussink Design |date=October 20, 2012 |magazine=Amusement Today |access-date=October 21, 2012}} The first U.S. version built by Chance was the Capital Wheel at the National Harbor, Md. It opened May 23, 2014.{{cite web|url=http://washington.cbslocal.com/2014/02/18/capital-ferris-wheel-en-route-to-national-harbor/|title=Capital Ferris Wheel En Route to National Harbor|publisher=CBS DC|date=February 18, 2014|access-date=September 2, 2018}}{{cite web | title = Bussink Design sets new World Record with R80 XL! | url = http://www.r80xl.com/index.php?mact=News,cntnt01,detail,0&cntnt01articleid=6&cntnt01returnid=62 | publisher = Bussink Design | access-date = 15 January 2013 | archive-url =https://web.archive.org/web/20150403105022/http://www.r80xl.com/index.php?mact=News,cntnt01,detail,0&cntnt01articleid=6&cntnt01returnid=62 | archive-date = 3 April 2015 | url-status = dead }} Chance Rides/Chance American Wheels will continue to manufacturer and sell R60 wheels in North America under an exclusive license from Dutch Wheels BV.

Notable wheels include:

• The Great Escape Giant Wheel (1989){{cite news | last = Rice | first = Bill | title = Much to do in Lake George | newspaper = Schenedtady Gazette | date = June 10, 1989 | url = https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=-XIhAAAAIBAJ&sjid=rogFAAAAIBAJ&pg=1134,2494383&dq=great+escape+giant+wheel&hl=en | access-date = October 22, 2012 }}
• I-X Center Ferris wheel (1992) {{convert|125|ft|m|adj=on}} tall. It was the world's tallest indoor wheel when it opened.{{cite web |url=http://cleveland.about.com/od/partyvenuesandcaterers/p/ixcenter.htm |title=Cleveland I-X Center |date=April 10, 2012 |publisher=About.com |access-date=October 21, 2012 |archive-date=January 17, 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130117091408/http://cleveland.about.com/od/partyvenuesandcaterers/p/ixcenter.htm |url-status=dead }}{{cite web |url=http://www.ixcenter.com/dynamic/Facility_Overview |title=I-X Center Facility Overview |year=1999 |publisher=I-X Center |access-date=October 21, 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121101063938/http://www.ixcenter.com/dynamic/Facility_Overview |archive-date=November 1, 2012 }} Relocated in 2023 to Canton Football Hall of Fame Village.{{cite web | url=https://www.cantonrep.com/story/news/local/2023/03/17/hall-of-fame-village-debuts-new-red-zone-ferris-wheel-style-ride/70016734007/|publisher=The Repository|date=March 17, 2023|last=Balint|first=Ed|title=Soaring 125 feet over Canton: What's it like atop the Hall of Fame Village Red Zone wheel?|access-date=April 30, 2023}}
• Hersheypark Ferris wheel (1996){{cite press release | title = Chance Giant Wheel Draws Guests to new addition at Hersheypark | publisher = Chance Rides| date = July 18, 1996}}
• Clementon Amusement Park Giant Ferris Wheel (1997){{cite press release | title = Chance Giant Wheel and other Chance products help Clementon Amusement Park cash in on family appeal | publisher = Chance Rides| date = August 6, 1997}}
• Niagara SkyWheel (2006){{Cite web |url=https://www.chancerides.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/11/niagara_falls_6_20_06-1.pdf |title=Breathtaking views of Niagara Falls Aboard the First Chance Morgan R60 Giant Wheel |access-date=2012-10-21}}
• Myrtle Beach SkyWheel (2011){{Cite web |url=https://www.chancerides.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/10/r60_myrtle_beach_11_12_10.pdf |title=New R60 Giant Wheel Coming to Myrtle Beach, SC |access-date=2012-10-21}}
• Seattle Great Wheel (2012){{cite web|url=http://blog.chancerides.com/blog-0/bid/204508/Seattle-Great-Wheel-adds-Bling-on-the-Waterfront|title=Chance Rides Blog|date=August 8, 2012|publisher=Chance Rides|access-date=October 21, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121202020640/http://blog.chancerides.com/blog-0/bid/204508/Seattle-Great-Wheel-adds-Bling-on-the-Waterfront|archive-date=2012-12-02|url-status=dead}}
• Capital Wheel (2014)

Chance Manufacturing's first coaster was the Toboggan, a portable ride in which a small vehicle climbed vertically up a tower then spiraled back down around the same tower. The ride was invented by Walter House of Amarillo, Texas, and Chance acquired the manufacturing rights and started producing it in 1969. It was designed to be a carnival ride, fitting on two trailers, but several units were purchased by amusement parks where they were set up as permanent attractions. Chance manufactured 32 of these units, two of which still operate at a permanent park.{{cite book|last=Chance|first=Harold|title=The Book of Chance|year=2004|publisher=Wichita Press|location=Wichita, Kansas|isbn=0-9649065-0-3|pages=48}} In 1998 Chance introduced the Big Dipper children's coaster. With the integration of the D. H. Morgan line into Chance Rides in 2001, the company acquired track manufacturing technology and the ability to offer a variety of coaster designs. D. H. Morgan was an offshoot of Arrow Development, original developer of tubular steel track, first used on Disney's Matterhorn Bobsleds attraction. In 2006, Chance formed an alliance with Vekoma.{{cite web | title = Vekoma Rides Manufacturing BV - Sales & Marketing| url = http://www.vekoma.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=71&Itemid=58| access-date = 25 February 2012 }} Chance Rides represented Vekoma in North America and manufactured the steel track for select projects. On October 17, 2012 Chance Rides and Vekoma discontinued their agreement to produce rides together for the North American market.{{cite magazine |url=http://www.amusementtoday.com/?p=2758 |title=Chance Rides & Vekoma Rides decide to discontinue North America coop |date=October 17, 2012 |magazine=Amusement Today |access-date=October 18, 2012}}

As of 2023, Chance Rides has built 44 roller coasters around the world.{{Cite web|url=https://rcdb.com/6887.htm|title=Chance Rides (Wichita, Kansas, United States)|website=rcdb.com}}

{{div col|colwidth=30m}}

• {{cvt|20|ft|m|2}} Carrousel
• {{cvt|28|ft|m|2}} Carrousel{{cite web|url=http://www.chancerides.com/rides/carrousel_index.html|title= Chance Rides Carrousels|year=2013 |publisher=Chance Rides, Inc. |access-date=1 July 2013}}
• {{cvt|28|ft|m|2}} Double Decker Carrousel
• {{cvt|36|ft|m|2}} Carrousel
• {{cvt|36|ft|m|2}} Double Decker Carrousel
• {{cvt|50|ft|m|2}} Grand Carrousel
• Aviator{{cite web |url=http://www.chancerides.com/rides/aviator.html |title=Aviator |year=2013 |website=chancerides.com |publisher=Chance Rides, Inc. |access-date=8 July 2013 |archive-date=11 July 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130711005238/http://www.chancerides.com/rides/aviator.html |url-status=dead }}
• Century Wheel{{cite web |url= http://www.chancerides.com/rides/centurywheel.html |title=Century Wheel |year=2013 |website= chancerides.com|publisher=Chance Rides, Inc. |access-date=8 July 2013}}
• DGW35 Gondola Wheel{{Cite web|url=https://www.chancerides.com/dgw35_gondolawheel/|title=DGW 35 Gondola Wheel – CHANCE RIDES|access-date=2018-01-02|archive-date=2018-10-04|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181004144927/https://www.chancerides.com/dgw35_gondolawheel/|url-status=dead}}
• DGW45 Gondola Wheel{{Cite web|url=https://www.chancerides.com/dgw45_gondolawheel/|title=DGW 45 Gondola Wheel – CHANCE RIDES|access-date=2018-01-02|archive-date=2018-10-04|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181004103853/https://www.chancerides.com/dgw45_gondolawheel/|url-status=dead}}
• Electric Cars{{cite web |url=http://www.chancerides.com/rides/electric_cars.html |title=Electric Cars |year=2013 |website=chancerides.com |publisher=Chance Rides, Inc. |access-date=8 July 2013 |archive-date=11 July 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130711005251/http://www.chancerides.com/rides/electric_cars.html |url-status=dead }}
• Electric C.P. Huntington replica {{RailGauge|2ft}} narrow gauge miniature train{{Cite web|url=https://www.chancerides.com/cphuntington_train/|title=CP Huntington Train – CHANCE RIDES}}{{Cite web |title=Electric C.P. Huntington Train – CHANCE RIDES |url=https://www.chancerides.com/electric_cphuntington_train/ |access-date=2023-11-23 |website=www.chancerides.com}}
• Family Coaster{{cite web |url= http://www.chancerides.com/coasters/familycoasters.html |title=Family Coasters — Big Dipper |year=2013 |website= chancerides.com|publisher=Chance Rides, Inc. |access-date=8 July 2013}}
• Freestyle{{cite web |url= http://www.chancerides.com/rides/freestyle.html |title=Freestyle |year=2013 |website= chancerides.com|publisher=Chance Rides, Inc. |access-date=8 July 2013}}
• Giant Wheel{{cite web |url= http://www.chancerides.com/rides/giantwheel.html |title=Giant Wheel |year=2013 |website= chancerides.com|publisher=Chance Rides, Inc. |access-date=8 July 2013}}
• Hypercoasters {{convert|150 to 300|ft|m|2}}{{cite web |url=https://www.chancerides.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/05/hypercoaster_spec_sheet.pdf |title=Hypercoaster |author= |year=2013 |website=chancerides.com |publisher=Chance Rides, Inc. |access-date=1 July 2013}} Mamba, World's of Fun
• Hyper GT-X Coaster{{cite web |url= http://www.chancerides.com/coasters/hyper_gtx.html |title=Hyper GT-X Coaster |year=2013 |website= chancerides.com|publisher=Chance Rides, Inc. |access-date=October 21, 2013}} Lightning Run, Kentucky Kingdom
• Pharaoh's Fury
• GXL200* {{cvt|200|ft|m|2}} Observation Wheel{{Cite web|url=https://www.chancerides.com/gxl200_wheel/|title=GXL 200 Wheel – CHANCE RIDES|access-date=2020-08-23|archive-date=2020-08-06|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200806002822/https://www.chancerides.com/gxl200_wheel/|url-status=dead}}
• R60 Giant Wheel{{Citation | last = Rutherford | first =Scott | title = Chance SkyWheel lights up Myrtle Beach tourism business |journal=Amusement Today | volume = 15 | issue = 8.2 | pages = 30 | date = November 2011 }}
• R80XL Giant Wheel{{cite web |url= http://www.chancerides.com/rides/wheels_index.html |title=Chance Rides Wheels |year=2013 |website= chancerides.com|publisher=Chance Rides, Inc. |access-date=October 21, 2013}}
• Revolution 20{{cite web |url=http://www.chancerides.com/rides/revolution_index.html |title=Chance Rides Revolution |year=2013 |website=chancerides.com |publisher=Chance Rides, Inc. |access-date=8 July 2013 |archive-date=11 July 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130711005301/http://www.chancerides.com/rides/revolution_index.html |url-status=dead }}
• Revolution 32
• Tramstar HD
• Tramstar LFT
• UniCoaster{{cite web |url=http://www.chancerides.com/rides/unicoaster.html |title=Unicoaster |year=2013 |website=chancerides.com |publisher=Chance Rides, Inc. |access-date=8 July 2013 |archive-date=12 July 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130712094354/http://www.chancerides.com/rides/unicoaster.html |url-status=dead }}
• Unicoaster 2.0{{Cite web|url=https://www.chancerides.com/unicoaster2/|title=Unicoaster 2.0 – CHANCE RIDES}}{{Dead link|date=August 2023 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}
• Wipeout{{cite web |url=https://www.chancerides.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/06/wipeout_specsheet.pdf |title=Wipout |year=2013 |website=chancerides.com |publisher=Chance Rides, Inc. |access-date=8 July 2013}}
• Yo Yo
• Zipper

{{div col end}}

{{div col|colwidth=30m}}

• Alpine Bobs (also available in Rock and Roll/Swingin' Safari/Thunder Bolt themes)
• Astro Wheel{{cite book|last=Chance|first=Harold|title=The Book of Chance|year=2004|publisher=Wichita Press|location=Wichita, Kansas|isbn=0-9649065-0-3|pages=35–67}}
• Casino (variation of the Trabant)
• Chaos{{cite web |url = http://www.ride-extravaganza.com/thrill/chaos/ |title = Chaos |last = Burton |first = David |website = Amusement Ride Extravaganza |access-date = October 21, 2013}}
• Falling Star
• Flying Bobs (originally by Herschell)/Thunderbolt (rethemed Bobs)
• Inverter{{cite web |url = http://www.ride-extravaganza.com/thrill/inverter/ |title = Inverter |last = Burton |first = David |website = Amusement Ride Extravaganza |access-date = October 21, 2013}}
• Music Fest (variation of the Flying Bobs){{cite web | url = http://www.helmandsons.com/rides/ride_details.asp?ID=32 | title = Rides & Attraction — Music Fest | website = Helm & Sons Amusements | access-date = October 21, 2013}}
• Observation Tower{{cite web |url=http://www.chancerides.com/rides/o_tower.html |title=Observation Tower |year=2013 |website=chancerides.com |publisher=Chance Rides, Inc. |access-date=8 July 2013 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130719180013/http://www.chancerides.com/rides/o_tower.html |archive-date=19 July 2013 }}
• Olympia Bobs (originally by Herschell)
• Pump-It Handcar
• Radar
• Rok-N-Rol (originally by Herschell)
• Rotor
• Sea Dragon (predecessor to the Pharaoh's Fury)
• Sidewheeler
• Skydiver
• Sky Wheel (originally by Herschell)
• Slingshot {{cite web | url = http://www.ltci.co.uk/LTC_Technical_Bulletins/CHANCE_Sling_shot_catapult_cable.pdf | title = Chance Rides service bulletin | website = Leisure Technical Consultants Limited | access-date = October 21, 2013}}
• Space Shuttle
• Star Fighter
• Suspended Family Coaster
• Toboggan
• Trabant
• Tumbler (a lifting, double-wheel version of the Skydiver- was known as Wheel Barrow. Only one built){{cite book |last=Hollis |first=Tim |title=Images of America: Six Flags Over Georgia |year=2006 |publisher=Arcadia Publishing |location=Charleston, S.C. |isbn=0-7385-4358-6 |page=101}}
• Turbo
• Twister
• Wagon Wheel (variation of the Trabant)
• Wagon Wheeler
• The Zipper
• Zumur

{{div col end}}

{{reflist}}

{{commons category}}

• {{Official website}}
• [http://www.rcdb.com/r.htm?ot=2&co=6887 Chance Rides listing at Roller Coaster DataBase]

{{Roller coaster manufacturers}}

{{Amusement rides}}

Category:Amusement ride manufacturers

Category:Roller coaster manufacturers

Category:Companies based in Wichita, Kansas

Category:Tram manufacturers

Category:Companies that filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in 2001

Category:Rolling stock manufacturers of the United States

Category:Amusement rides manufactured by Chance Rides

Category:Roller coasters manufactured by Chance Rides

Category:Carousels