[SPAN id=intelliTXT] SANTA MONICA, Calif. (AP) - It won't come with the ocean views, but you can still catch some thrills from riding your very own Ferris wheel, taken straight from the Santa Monica Pier. The nine-story wheel that's been at Pacific Park since 1996 was put up for sale Tuesday on eBay. The wheel overlooking the Pacific has 20 gondolas and is outlined in 5,392 light bulbs. It has provided some 3 million rides and has been seen in movies, on television and in numerous photos. Next month, however, the Pacific Wheel will be replaced by a $1.5 million modern model. The old wheel is operational and still in "great" shape, said Cameron Andrews, a spokesman for the amusement park. The wheel cost $800,000 when it was built. It was modified in 1998 to become the world's first solar-powered Ferris wheel. The auction will last 10 days and the minimum price is $50,000. Half the winning bid - minus fees - will be donated to the Special Olympics. A support base for the wheel costs another $135,000, Andrews said.
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