$50 can be yours!! Historical CP challenge...

Ok, I think I got the attraction on the left side finally figured out:

http://i1260.photobucket.com/albums/ii572/CPpixx/100_2242_zps0d7b3979.jpg

I'm still trying to figure out the yellow/white tent on the right.

My mom and aunt used to talk of a pony ride that the kids could go on in the summer of 1962. I'm thinking this was the site of the attraction before it was moved due to the Scamper coaster being built. It does look like it from overhead. I do know where this pony ride was in 1962 (its final year).

Even though the park introduced their Zugspitze ride in 1966, everything I've heard seems as though this yellow/white tent ride could have been an earlier version of the Zugspitze (a hybrid of Matterhorn/Himalaya) which might make sense. Anyone have another view pic of one? (from a different angle) besides this:

http://rollercoasterfreak.com/Cedar_Point/Zugspitze.JPG (credit to Jason
Hammond from his site)

That ride appeared to be at a very steep incline like the mystery ride.

PS: I just came across yet another mystery photo from the mid 1960's if anyone solves this....

I was reading that the Himalaya was introduced to North America in 1959 (Canadian National Exhibition) and that by 1960 a couple of portable models were making the rounds. It is quite possible that the mystery ride is one of those portable versions since it is known CP was not only bringing in temporaries to bolster the "Million Dollar Midway", but that they were also looking at, and for, unique rides to add to their line up. And being new to North America is unique. The only other park to have a Himalaya by 1960 was Paragon Park.

Great pic by the way.

It sure looks like a Himalaya type ride so that could well be the answer. But, it is not on the Million Dollar Midway, that was opened in 1970.

There has been a Cedar Point map described as being from 1961 on eBay. There are no active listings, but here's a small image. I don't know if it's original or how accurate it is, but there might be some answers to be found there. Perhaps the seller has a better image or another copy.

He's the one offering the money for the identification of the mystery ride.

And "Million Dollar Midway" was more of a lose term/definition as the park was still in the beginning stages of its tranformation to its "Million Dollar" moniker in how it was adding/aquiring rides and attractions for it in those early years.

Million Dollar Midway was actually the Main Midway extension that was built for the 1970 centennial season. That's the midway that is now Celebration Plaza.

10 days later....some exciting news. MYSTERY SOLVED 11PM WED 5/15/2013. Yellow/white striped canopy mystery ride has been named and $50 is not up for grabs temporarily (waiting for documentation of the 1961 CEDAR POINT ride, from person in Southern Ohio). I'm 100% confident this person is right after doing my own follow up research. Just got an email message this afternoon (from person I shall name later,after documentation). Finally, here is an example of a much smaller alternate version of this ride (not the 1961 mystery ride ) for proof:
http://i1260.photobucket.com/albums/ii572/CPpixx/mysteryexample_zps36c7e18b.jpg
Note the hole in the roof (in the middle of the canopy) similar to aerial overhead picture posted earlier of the 1961 mystery ride. Finally a partial answer!!

Those who stated it wasn't the Matterhorn or Himalaya were correct.

Here's the answer, if you can provide the documentation, I'll still give you $25 for that. The ride under the yellow/white canopy was called THE CATEPILLAR. It featured a smaller green canopy that covered riders heads midway during the ride. Also the entire ride didn't go under that BIG yellow/white overhead canopy until its final year (1961) when it was moved down the midway to make room for the 1st version of the Rotor. It sat across from the midway carousel for years. The answer came from Mr.Al Berardi and his brother (his grandparents, owners of the 1st famous french fry stands at CP, used to own various rides in the park that were leased to CP back in the day). After doing much follow up research, here are some links (examples with different cars) of this ride. His brother is in the process of digging up old B/W photos of the actual ride for some documentation. Enjoy!!
http://i1260.photobucket.com/albums/ii572/CPpixx/cat5_zps353d09c1.jpg
http://i1260.photobucket.com/albums/ii572/CPpixx/cat3_zps2709d3be.jpg
http://i1260.photobucket.com/albums/ii572/CPpixx/cat2_zpsbe8512f9.jpg
http://i1260.photobucket.com/albums/ii572/CPpixx/cat4_zps7d719426.jpg