Known in the USA as the Scrambler, UK as the Twist and Australia as the Cha Cha, the design remains a ‘must-have’ among park and carnival operators because of its timeless popularity and low-maintenance operation.
The Eli Bridge company produced the first Scrambler in 1955 - an amazing success which took the amusement industry by storm. By the end of 1955, 16 units had been manufactured by Eli Bridge, with over 200 orders from waiting buyers! With this kind of demand, other manufacturers and showmen soon latched onto Eli’s success and developed their own versions such as the Gabrik Merry Mixer.
47 years later, it is almost impossible to visit a carnival or amusement park that fails to have a scrambler / twist / sizzler on its attraction list. Put simply, Scramblers offer a great ride experience to people of all ages with a minimum of capital & ongoing expenditure for its owner.
Similar versions of the original Eli Scrambler operated around Europe include A.R.M’s Twist (now Chance Morgan), Wisdom’s Sizzler of which approx 190 units have been manufactured since 1973. Many units of the Sizzler were also manufactured in Australia by Ferrari Manufacturing under licence. The Sizzler, unlike Eli Bridge’s cog-drive, uses hydraulic drives to rotate the cars. By reputation, the hydraulic rotation does not give riders a proper kick-spin like its cog-drive Scrambler cousin - with many ride enthusiasts preferring the latter.
You haven’t been to a carnival until you’ve ridden a grass cutter (as they are affectionately known) whether you’re on a hot date or with the whole family, this ride is enjoyed by all.
favorite ride
tftnfg - May 14th, 2009 at 6:06 am
My Most favorite ride. I’ve been riding it since I was 7!
Manda - June 19th, 2009 at 4:45 am
Hey this is my favorite ride.
ba-boss-bomb - July 2nd, 2009 at 7:58 am
Do NOT sit in the outside seat if you seatmate/mates (up to three can ride in each car)are heavier than you! Your ribs will suffer. DO seat your hot young sweetie on the inside: she’ll be in your arms whether she likes it or not! Great ride!
Thomas T. - July 3rd, 2009 at 2:31 am
this is one of my top 3 favorite carnival rides. i went on it today and it was so fun……
tyler mccane - July 12th, 2009 at 2:50 pm
I love the speed it gives and i like to hope it stays around for some time
Betty Gentry - July 17th, 2009 at 4:12 am
Not been on any park models, but ridden loads of travelling ones, great fun, although you get a bit squashed lol
Danny - July 22nd, 2009 at 5:35 am
awesome ride:)
Nun-ya-buz - August 14th, 2009 at 2:11 pm
The best Scrambler rides are the ones in a bubble!
Ralph - September 20th, 2009 at 5:35 am
My fair don’t have this ride this is one of my all time favorite rides:(
Prince06 - September 30th, 2009 at 3:09 am
Does Wisdom still make the Sizzler ride?
jaymorgan - March 19th, 2010 at 1:35 pm
First ride I ever rode, if you’re going in a full cart, make sure you’re either in the middle or at the left end……
Dylan - May 25th, 2010 at 10:59 am
A few years ago, I bought an unrestored Eli Scrambler to restore. This one still had all the original “Big Eli” labels and should be finished (thought I don’t plan on operating it) next year.
Bryce - June 21st, 2010 at 5:26 am
I went on this ride with my very muscular friend. I made the mistake of sitting on the right and my ribs felt like they were going to be crushed and snapped.
Alice - July 18th, 2010 at 3:41 am
Scramblers are so cool.
mb - July 21st, 2010 at 12:50 am
You got to see how I puked after I came off an Ely Bridge Scrambler at Dorney Park. Merry Mixers are better
mb - July 30th, 2010 at 5:12 am
Whats wrong with you guys!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
mb - August 17th, 2010 at 7:13 am
Scramblers are the bomb! They were great for drying off if you had just been on a log flume ride, or for cooling off if it was hot and humid out. I didn’t like the ones that would change direction and go backwards– ack.
Moon - August 23rd, 2010 at 2:58 pm