Wow, just stumbled onto this discussion. I was also born in 78 and have distinct memories of the Americana Haunted House from about 1982/3. It was definitely a ride-through. I remember it being in the left when you entered, in a pretty unremarkable rectangular building. Little black cars. Doors banged open. Inside, most of the gags were masked figures behind fencing. As you passed, they would light up and a loud buzzer would sound. My favorite was the falling barrel gag— a stack of barrels would tip toward the car, but stop short of falling on you.
That ride gave me a push into a lifetime of home haunting.