A Dumbo the Flying Elephant Ride Vehicle.

(Disneyland, 1960s) A rare original Dumbo the Flying Elephant ride vehicle. Few attractions embody the whimsy and magic of Disneyland quite like this beloved Fantasyland favorite. As one of the few remaining attractions from the Park's opening year, these large ride vehicles have been an unforgettable part of the Disneyland experience for 70 years. In the Park's early years, the Dumbo vehicles featured hinged ears that moved up and down. However, mechanical issues often caused the ears to become immobile, leading to a redesign that replaced them with stationary ears. This Dumbo has one toenail per foot, a trait of the Disneyland attraction's earliest vehicles, likely painted pink during a refurbishment. A similar one-toenailed Dumbo was donated by Disney to the Smithsonian on the Park’s 50th anniversary. Disney chose this Dumbo vehicle to repurpose into a photo op for Park Guests. At that time, Disney lovingly restored the paint and refurbished the fiberglass on the left flank of the vehicle, filling the area where the large armature had been attached. The ride vehicle was paired with a hand-painted red and yellow base with a circus aesthetic. Park Guests and powerful dignitaries alike have sat in this ride vehicle, both when it was flying through the air in Fantasyland and when it was the star of memorable family photos. This vehicle was also the first Dumbo ride vehicle ever publicly sold by Disney, won at auction on September 25, 1992 during the first Disneyana Convention. The certificate of authenticity from Disney states that this Dumbo vehicle is from 1955, although we believe it originates from the first redesign, as it features stationary ears.This is a rare opportunity to own an essential and iconic piece of Disneyland history. Dumbo measures 9.5 feet long, 7.25 feet wide ear-to-ear, and over 4.25 feet tall, with a total height of 6.5 feet tall including its 8 feet in diameter wooden base. The ride vehicle is in very good condition with large cracks under the knee and torso that do not affect display or structure, and expected wear, including cracks and paint chipping, from its decades upon decades of Park use. Due to size and weight, special shipping arrangements are required. Please inquire before bidding.