Turbo

My all time favourite ride, Chance’s legendary creation - the Turbo, was designed and built by Gerald Barber in the late 1960’s; the prototype was originally named the Caravel and had similar seating to a paratrooper.

In 1970, with Gerry Barber’s assistance, Chance began manufacturing the Turbo, based on Gerry’s Radar design, producing 23 Turbo units before production stopped in 1976. At the time of the ride’s debut, each unit was selling for around $75,000. Turbo is therefore extremely rare, with working units (very few of the original 23) found only in USA and Australia. Unfortunately many of the original 23 are now neglected piles of rust, stored in sheds and backyards - a real pity.

The Turbo is absolutely superb to watch - and even better to ride. The ride consists of two giant wheels resembling spider-web-like structures. On each of these wheels are 10 circular cages attached at a slight angle. (each cage holds 2 adults or 3 children). The ’spider-web’ wheels then turn - one clockwise, and one counterclockwise, furthermore both rotate around the base of the ride. The result of these combined movements is fantastic - the cages spin around at oblique angles, randomly flipping upside down - and at other times turning the riders face-down towards the ground, just inches away from it. The ride moves with smooth, rhythmic style (pretty fast though!). This ride has CLASS, unmatched by any other ride in my opinion. It ceases to amaze me why Chance ever stopped production - perhaps this is what makes the ride so unique.

Ingeniously, the whole ride fits on two 40ft trailers - one trailer for the cages and one for the entire structure. Underneath the covers around the base is an arched trailer - wheels included, which is raised hydraulically bearing the two spider-web wheels which fold out like umbrellas (See patent diagrams below). The ride can be set up in roughly 6 hours with two people.

Until recently Australia had 3 working versions of the ride; all travelling, in very good condition. Unfortunately one unit was involved in a freight train accident where some of the cages were smashed beyond repair; the other unit was sold to China.

To share your personal thoughts / stories on riding the Turbo, please contact me!



Home Rides Breakdance Bungee Rocket Chaos Enterprise Explorer Galaxy Coaster Giant Drop Gravitron Hurricane Kamikaze Mad Mouse Miami Octopus Pirate Radar Rainbow Ranger Rok ‘n’ Rol Rotor Roundup Scrambler Super Loops Swingin’ Gym Tilt-A-Whirl Tower of Terror Troika Turbo UFO Wave Swinger Zipper FAQ Links Guestbook About myself Contact	Turbo My all time favourite ride, Chance’s legendary creation - the Turbo, was designed and built by Gerald Barber in the late 1960’s; the prototype was originally named the Caravel and had similar seating to a paratrooper. In 1970, with Gerry Barber’s assistance, Chance began manufacturing the Turbo, based on Gerry’s Radar design, producing 23 Turbo units before production stopped in 1976. At the time of the ride’s debut, each unit was selling for around $75,000. Turbo is therefore extremely rare, with working units (very few of the original 23) found only in USA and Australia. Unfortunately many of the original 23 are now neglected piles of rust, stored in sheds and backyards - a real pity. The Turbo is absolutely superb to watch - and even better to ride. The ride consists of two giant wheels resembling spider-web-like structures. On each of these wheels are 10 circular cages attached at a slight angle. (each cage holds 2 adults or 3 children). The ’spider-web’ wheels then turn - one clockwise, and one counterclockwise, furthermore both rotate around the base of the ride. The result of these combined movements is fantastic - the cages spin around at oblique angles, randomly flipping upside down - and at other times turning the riders face-down towards the ground, just inches away from it. The ride moves with smooth, rhythmic style (pretty fast though!). This ride has CLASS, unmatched by any other ride in my opinion. It ceases to amaze me why Chance ever stopped production - perhaps this is what makes the ride so unique. Ingeniously, the whole ride fits on two 40ft trailers - one trailer for the cages and one for the entire structure. Underneath the covers around the base is an arched trailer - wheels included, which is raised hydraulically bearing the two spider-web wheels which fold out like umbrellas (See patent diagrams below). The ride can be set up in roughly 6 hours with two people. Until recently Australia had 3 working versions of the ride; all travelling, in very good condition. Unfortunately one unit was involved in a freight train accident where some of the cages were smashed beyond repair; the other unit was sold to China. To share your personal thoughts / stories on riding the Turbo, please contact me!


Copyright © 2008 David Burton