Chance Rides
Company History

65 years of leadership in amusement rides—driving innovation, expansion and the future of guest experiences.

  • 1961

     

    Chance Manufacturing Company, Inc., was founded by Harold Chance in Wichita, Kansas. It all started with a C.P. Huntington™ train, today there have been over 430 trains produced.

  • 1963

     

    The Trabant amusement ride, produced by Chance Manufacturing Company, Inc. starting in 1963, was a very popular spinning, tilting platform ride.

  • 1966

     

    Skydiver was a ride previously produced by Chance Manufacturing Company, Inc. The ride was comparable to a ferris wheel with vehicles that could rotate as they revolved around the structure.

  • 1968

     

    The Zipper was created by Joseph Brown with Chance Manufacturing Company, Inc. in 1968 in Wichita, Kansas. The ride has amassed a cult following over its decades in operation, and was named by Popular Mechanics as one of the strangest amusement park rides in the world.

  • 1970

     

    Dick Chance started with the company in 1970, after graduating from college. (Photo Dick and Harold Chance)

  • 1970

     

    Chance Manufacturing Co., Inc. purchased the assets of the Allen Herschel Company. At the time, Allan Herschel was the largest manufacturer of amusement rides in North America. This acquisition allowed the company to increase its product line to include carousels.

  • 1971

     

    Harold Chance organized the first amusement ride safety seminar that continues today as AIMS, the Amusement Industry Manufacturers & Suppliers, International.

  • 1973

     

    The 1970s and early 80s were a period of rapid innovation and creativity for Chance Manufacturing, including the development of the classic YO-YO. 

  • 1985

     

    Harold Chance retired from Chance Manufacturing Company, Inc. Later, his son Dick Chance formed Chance Industries, Inc., with subsidiaries Chance Rides, Chance Coach and Chance Engineering. (L to R Harold, Mike, Dick Chance)

  • 1989

     

    Chance Manufacturing experienced impressive growth, expanding its product line to include ornate carousels, and urban transit buses, notably the Replica Streetcar bus.

  • 1998

     

    Mike, Dick’s oldest son, joined the company and helped expand the theme park side of the business. His influence and drive allowed the company to begin building rollercoasters. (L to R Dick, Harold, Mike Chance)

  • 2001

     

    The early 2000s was the period of thrill ride growth for Chance Rides. In 2001, Michael acquired the roller coaster designs of D.H. Morgan Manufacturing in California and formed Chance Morgan Coasters, Inc. The manufacturing was moved to its Wichita headquarters while engineering remained for a time in California. Michael served as Chance Ride’s president until he passed away in 2016. 

  • 2004

     

    Chance American Wheels, LLC teamed with European partners to produce R60 (60 meters high) Observation Wheels, holding exclusive rights to the design for North America. 

  • 2011

     

    Celebrating 50 years of the family in the amusement ride business, in 2011 the Chance Rides name was reintroduced.

  • 2016

     

    John Chance joined the business, focusing on engineering and product development. He led the conversion of the C.P. Huntington Train from internal combustion to fully electric, significantly increasing sales.

  • 2017

     

    Aaron Landrum joined the company as President & Chief Operating Officer, strengthening leadership for continued growth. Following Dick Chance’s retirement in 2023, Landrum assumed the role of President and Chief Executive Officer.

  • 2023

     

    Dick Chance retired after selling Chance Rides Manufacturing, Inc., to Missouri-based Permanent Equity.

  • 2025

     

    Chance Rides is driving global growth through international partnerships and expanding its offerings with innovative, sustainable solutions.

  • Today

     

    As Chance Rides celebrates 65 years, the company is building on its legacy with a focus on innovation, growth, and pushing the boundaries of what’s possible in attractions and guest experiences.

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