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Original PeopleMover ride vehicles from the Kevin Doherty Collection

Currency:USD Category:Collectibles / Disneyana Start Price:200,000.00 USD Estimated At:200,000.00 - 300,000.00 USD
Original PeopleMover ride vehicles from the Kevin Doherty Collection
SOLD
Winning Bid Undisclosed
This item SOLD at 2015 Nov 21 @ 15:47UTC-8 : PST/AKDT
All items are sold as is. Contact Van Eaton Galleries for condition reports and shipping information. 18% Buyers Premium for payment by Cash, Cashiers Check, Money Order, or Bank Wire. 21% Buyers premium for payments made by Credit Card, Debit Card, or PayPal.
The PeopleMover attraction opened at Disneyland on July 2, 1967 as part of the New Tomorrowland, and ran until August 21, 1995. The attraction took park guests on an aerial view of Tomorrowland in a slow-moving cruise. In total, it is estimated that the PeopleMover attraction has serviced nearly 100 million guests during its time.
The two PeopleMover ride vehicles showcased in this auction are among 13 known to still exist. Of the other 11, one is at Mickey’s of Glendale, two are at “The E-Ticket” at back stage Disneyland, and the remaining eight are in private hands. However, of these 13, there are many features that make this pair very unique.
None of the other 11 units have their original lower drive chassis which holds the wheels, suspension, and the initial open and close drive-mechanisms. This pair however, has a recreated lower drive chassis that was painstakingly designed, tested, and fabricated over the course of 2 years. This chassis was recreated using the original blueprints and received help from the original designer of the PeopleMover, Imagineer Bob Gurr.
As for the rest of the PeopleMover, all of the upper ride vehicle parts are original, with the exception of the screws which were replaced using stainless steel. Additionally, cabin lighting was added in the roofs using reading lamps from a 1967 Rolls Royce. This added touch of class allows for evening lounging within the vehicles.
Additionally, this pair of vehicles comes with a custom-fabricated control panel, created from original blueprints, shop manuals, and parts lists that were used to make the original PeopleMover control panel at Disneyland. The switches, buttons, hand-set and microphone used in this control panel are all as originally specified by WED Imagineering. The security control buttons are modified so that the vehicles can be remotely opened and closed. The control panel also allows for the control of the interior and exterior lighting of the vehicle, as well as features a working PA and music system. The system now plays a 2 minute explanation of the PeopleMovers by a 1967 tour guide.
This is by far, the most complete and functional example remaining of the PeopleMover attraction. Not only can this pair still be viewed and appreciated, but with the included audio and control panel, it can still function and be enjoyed. This surviving pair is a true relic of a well-remembered and loved ride. Due to their operational life at the park, it is estimated that these two ride vehicles could have serviced as many as 1 million park guests during their operation. The number of fond memories of the park that people still carry today that could have come from these two vehicles specifically is a testament to their historical significance.

While the PeopleMover attraction is sadly no longer at Disneyland, many people today still remember the slick red, blue, yellow, and green ride vehicles slowly passing by overhead in Tomorrowland, or remember getting the best view of the nighttime fireworks with someone special in these timeless vehicles. Fortunately, this pair remains in such excellent and functional condition, as a reminder of a unique and well-loved attraction at Disneyland. For their next owner, the PeopleMover is sure to provide as many joyful and memorable times as it once did to so many happy park guests. Overall size of the set is 59.5” wide x 78” high x 225” long (18.75 feet long). Special shipping rates will apply.