Bumper Cars

Bumper cars were crazy fun when I was a kid. Even as an adult today, they still look immensely entertaining and I'd probably be on one every weekend if only everyone else lined up to ride them weren't in grade school. Instead of drawing power from the floor or ceiling like regular flat rides, these bumper cars seen around the San Diego area not only run independently - you can drive them down public roads.

Check these out. I've seen them at car shows in La Mesa and Escondido...this is just awesome fun!

They are created by California-based builder Tom Wright, the original set of modified bumper cars came from the Long Beach Pike amusement park's discards. Instead of watching them join the trash heap, he took out the Harley motors, replaced it with 750cc Honda and Kawasaki boxes, and redesigned them to pass city driving standards. His fleet now consists of eight crazy-looking street bumper cars (culled from different amusement parks), all licensed to give your hottest ride a run for its money.

A couple of the cars can reportedly go up to 160mph, which seems awfully scary for a car with such a short wheelbase.

The only thing I would miss is watching the sparks fly from the ceiling!!!