Turbo
My all time favourite ride, the Turbo, was manufactured by Chance in 1970 in collaboration with Gerry Barber who had earlier designed the Radar. Chance manufactured 23 Turbo’s before production ceased in 1976.
Turbo is now extremely rare with very few working units found only in USA and Australia. At the time of Turbo’s premiere it sold for around US$75,000 but as with many other rides who had ‘earned their money back’ all but 1 of the 23 built are now neglected piles of rust in sheds and backyards.
The Turbo is superb to watch and even better to ride. The ride consists of two giant wheels resembling spider web structures. On each of these wheels are 10 circular cages attached at a slight angle. (each cage holds 2 adults or 3 children). Each wheel turns while both rotate around the base of the ride in the opposite direction. The result of these combined movements is a thrill seeker’s dream. The cages randomly spin around at varied angles flipping upside down, sideways or swooping riders face-down towards the ground - just inches away from it. The ride moves with smooth, random (and very fast) style unmatched by any other in my opinion.
Ingeniously, the whole ride fits on two 40ft trailers - one for the cages, the second for the entire tower and wheel structure. Inside the base is an arched trailer (wheels included) that is hinged hydraulically bearing the two spider web wheels that fold out like umbrellas .
The ride can be set up in roughly 6 hours with two people.
Until ten years ago Australia had 3 working versions of the ride; all travelling, in very good condition. Unfortunately one was in a freight train accident where some of the cages were smashed beyond repair; another was sold to China while the third is a work-in-progress set to re-appear at a future date. The remaining idle units can be found only in North America, and rumoured but unconfirmed, South America.
Have you seen or ridden a Turbo? Please share your memories below.
If you are on Facebook, a friend of mine started a Facebook Turbo Fan Club page; 4 members thus far!
Mark Hackett - April 21st, 2009 at 5:24 am
I live in Owensboro, Kentucky and I was surprised to see about 3 rusty Turbo cages sitting on my local carnival operator’s property next to all the racked up current rides. It was neat to see some of these right here near my own town so I thought I’d tell you.
Alex M. - April 29th, 2009 at 7:17 am
Alex… You live in Owensboro? So do I and I have seen the Turbo equipment you are talking about. Years ago, this particular Turbo was located on property on the corner of 54 and Fairview Dr and belonged to Harper Amusements. Unfortunately, I never got to see it up and running.
Drop me a line sometime and we’ll talk rides. cumberlandvalleyshowsfan@yahoo.com
John - May 1st, 2009 at 12:53 am
I have seen a Turbo sitting in a field on its two trailers rusting in Sacramento California. It’s a shame! From what I hear it’s going for fourty thousand and its in working condition. I wish I had the cash to purchase it just to watch it in motion. It’s amazing to watch. It’s have had the chance to ride the Turbo several times in the past and I have to say it was and still is the best ride ever created. Let’s talk to Bill Gates and see if he can bring it back to life!
Kirk - May 2nd, 2009 at 4:47 am
Kirk,
Where did you hear the turbo from sacramento california are selling for 40 grand with working condition? can you give me details then i would like to contact and buy off from them and start to rebuild. I am looking for unfinished project or rusted so can start to restoration it.
John.
John Tziolas - May 4th, 2009 at 11:59 pm
When l was a teenager, in the summertime during school vacation l ran the “TURBO” ride at Crescent Park located in Riverside, RI. Only the Carousel is left there now. It was the coolest ride in the park, l really enjoyed operating it. So, everyone who wanted a GREAT excitement would ride it. Sometimes more then just once.
STAN - May 12th, 2009 at 7:56 am
Even more rare is the Chance Raven which was an early version of Turbo, but with ferris wheel type seating. There is at least one still in existance and being sold for $20.000 on Used Rides.com with pictures.
Ken - May 13th, 2009 at 3:43 pm
My poor little mum bit off a bit more than she could chew when she got into a turbo car one day. She left her lunch in there and never back again.
Melissa Kelzke - May 16th, 2009 at 8:19 pm
The TURBO is my ABSOLUTE FAVE ride!!! I haven’t seen it about for a while though :( It’s been over 10 years since I played on one in Ausralia, I live and hope! GOOOOOOOOOOOOO TURBO!
Seawave - May 16th, 2009 at 8:34 pm
I saw one at the easter show in Auckland Newzealand in about 1996 went for a ride its was outstanding never seen one again wonder if it came over from Aussie for the show the 2 main ride operators in nz dont have one but it one great ride
Bruce - May 24th, 2009 at 6:03 pm
I also remember the TURBO at the Royal easter show in New Zealand. It was the first, and only time I ever saw it too. I remember my only ride on it very well!. Made me feel so sick, I had to sit down for 20 minutes afterwards! A very unique ride experience.
Skippy - May 31st, 2009 at 11:00 pm
Yep the Turbo came from Aussie for the show, they were trying to sell it but was two big for the road limits. The operator talked about bringing it back for the Christchurch show but I’m not sure if it came back or not.
Kiwi - June 1st, 2009 at 3:19 pm
Stan, who worked at Crescent Park - thanks for all the rides! I was about 11 years old when the Turbo and Trabant arrived at Crescent Park in 1971, and we rode the hell out of that ride. We quickly discovered it was safer to squeeze three of us into those tubs we called “hamburgers”, as it was impossible to hold on with just two kids sliding and banging around in there. Since it was only about 20-30 minutes from our house in Taunton MA, I would guess I rode that beast hundreds of times during the 7 years it ran at Crescent Park. I have some great pics from the Providence newspaper in 1972 discussing the “ride wars” between Rocky Point Park and Crescent Park, and also a particularly sad photo taken years later. There is the rusting Turbo structure standing alone in the weeds for a few years after the park closed, minus the “hamburgers”. Don’t know where the tubs went … believe me, we looked all around the abandoned property!
John - June 1st, 2009 at 11:54 pm
in california the chance turbo made it’s rounds from 1972 to 1978. the best part of the ride is when the capsule twists and you are facing head-first, staring at the ground whizzing by.
wade crowe - June 7th, 2009 at 3:45 pm
Hi kiwi the turbo ride never made it to Christchurch thats where i live & was working in fair grounds then just wonder if theres any of these rides in Aussie now the the closest to it was the power surge ride at rainbows end in Auckland but the turbo ride was wilder would love to ride one again soon where??
Bruce - June 8th, 2009 at 5:50 pm
Turbo sólo pasó por Panamá en 1985 por la emrpesa salvadoreña Play Land Park International. Jamás volvió… Desafortunadamente.
Recuerdo que era la versión original, con luces fluorecentes amarillas y verdes.
Unos años más tarde, en 1991, regresó en su versión Radar. No me pareció muy divertida. Aún así, me subí. Pienso que Turbo hubiera sido mucho más divertido.
English Translation
I saw it in Panama in 1985 by the Salvadoran Play Land Park International. It never returned… Unfortunately. From memory it was the original version, with yellow and green fluorecent lights. Years later, in 1991, Radar returned in its place. It did not seem as enjoyable as Turbo. Even so, I rode.
Rafael Aguilar E. - June 9th, 2009 at 2:51 am
This is my #2 all time favorite carnival/portable ride (Zipper is #1). It showed up for 2 years @ the Piedmont Interstate Fair in Spartanburg, SC in the early ’70s and was THE ride to conquer. I couldn’t believe the different positions and motions this ride produced! Heading down face first was especially unnerving! The last Turbo I rode was in Montreal @ LeRonde (way before it was a theme park.) Sun Fun Amusement Park in Ocean Drive, SC had a ride similar to the Turbo called Caravel but the seats were like ones on a Paratooper or Cobra. That ride went crazy fast and even though you obviously didn’t flip upside down was much more intense!! I’d love to ride a Turbo again and wish someone had the money and time to refurbish one here in the states.
edward - June 12th, 2009 at 1:15 am
HI all Aussies im going over to Aussie later in the year does any one know if there are any turbo rides in Austraila would love to ride one again
Bruce - June 12th, 2009 at 5:12 pm
Bell’s Amusements now one of Australia’s largest owners of Amusement rides are currently re storing the ex-brooks unit. But this refurb has been going on now since about 03 when Bell’s bought it. Apparently it is close to running and could be out next year. I’ll try and get more info as to when it will make its way back onto our shows.
Adam - June 21st, 2009 at 8:07 am
I remember the carnivals from the 1970s. The SKYDIVER, ZIPPER, AND TURBO were often featured together. Now THAT is a real combo SUPERSIZED!!!!
STAN - June 21st, 2009 at 12:41 pm
This showed up at a strip shopping center in Whitehall (Columbus) in 70 or 71. If the cage was turned down when you got to the ground, it seemed that your face was just inches from scraping the parking lot. My brother Tim 14 cried to make the carny stop the ride. Other friends from Country Club Rd. gathered torn tickets off the ground, Elmer glued them together, and we rode for days. One of the top two rides ever, along with the Trabant (not incliding costers).
roy lee - June 21st, 2009 at 1:34 pm
Hey everyone…I remember seeing this ride as a kid at the San Joaquin county fair in the late 70s. I never got to ride and was always curious as to what it was like since it seemed very Zipper like and I am a fan of the Zipper. In 2001, I made a stop with some friends at the Ensenada, Baja CA Mexico fair and they had one that was up. Unfortunately, they weren’t operating it the night we went.
JJ - June 22nd, 2009 at 1:39 pm
Hay Adam thanks for that when its up & running again i will have to come over the ditch again and ride it its a wonder they are not making them again as i can remeber the long lines of people waiting to ride it a also liked the trabant havnt see one of those in years Rex Newton in NZ had one for many years but havnt see one in years
Bruce - June 28th, 2009 at 6:04 pm
Great Turbo stories!
Unfortunately I haven’t seen one of these amazing machines since 1999 or so and am eagerly awaiting Bells Amusement’s Turbo to be up and running. IMO, the ride is best when riding alone, completely out of control!
Ben - July 8th, 2009 at 4:00 pm
THANKS FOR THAT BEN WOULD BE KEEN TO KNOW WHEN BELLS HAVE THAT ONE UP AND RUNNING AM I WRONG OR DID LUNA PARK IN SYDNEY HAVE ONE A FEW YEARS AGO WAS OVER THERE AND SAW SOMETHING LIKE A TURBO THERE BUT I COULD BE WRONG THANKS
Bruce - July 9th, 2009 at 6:31 pm
I Know where two turbos are for sale. there is one in sacremento California, I Think Ken Johnson Owns it for 20,000. And there is one in mexico for 80,000. it is operating.
Michael Barber - July 14th, 2009 at 5:36 pm
Does this ride still exist in Australia?
Adam - July 17th, 2009 at 3:29 pm
HI Adam got a feeling that luna park in sydney has or had some thing very much like a turbo this was afew years ago rode one in NZ it was a wild ride love to ride one again cheers Bruce
Bruce - July 17th, 2009 at 5:40 pm
I’d love to ride a Turbo, from everything Ive read, it would be a dream come true.
I live in the UK, we have occasionally had Zipper & Skydiver rides tour here although I haven’t seen either here for at least 12 years or so.
I’ve occasionally seen Zipper & Skydiver rides at Carnivals while on holiday & I think they are simply beautiful to watch, similarly the double Sky Wheels which we also no longer have in the UK.
If anyone does know of a Turbo, static or travelling anywhere in the world, I’d dearly love to hear about it.
Perhaps some genious engineer will take the bait & redesign the ride for a modern park or carnival.
Alan - July 30th, 2009 at 6:31 am
here is a link to see turbo in action http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WvV7UR_r4×4
or you can find it in youtube!: Chance Turbo - amusement ride in action (off ride)
psaenz - August 5th, 2009 at 5:33 pm
Bells Amusements were doing brookd old turbo up a few years ago (I helped with some of the cars) but I don’t know if it ever made it back on teh road. Can anyone tell me?
Kat - August 16th, 2009 at 6:17 pm
The one in Sacramento is the one I remember from my childhood. Ken Johnston is the owner, and I knew him from Jr and Sr high school. We were in the same high school class. He used to give me free rides on some of his dad’s rides when we were kids. I used to enjoy watching the Turbo, and I wish I could see it again!
Dan Sadler - August 28th, 2009 at 7:36 pm
Bring back the Turbo. I would like to ride this for two-three hours non-stop, which is of longer in time when I rode the Zipper for one hour non-stop a few years ago. Can be reached at bdbell1940@yahoo.com.
Bruce - October 11th, 2009 at 9:11 am
wants to ride that soo badly, too bad their in astruila
Ride enthuist - October 21st, 2009 at 4:47 am
Wow. The TURBO was great! I actually had the opportunity to operate this ride in the summer of 1992 when we had one at the Maple Leaf Village Amusement park in Niagara Falls Canada. It is very much missed, and a great ride!
Darren - October 30th, 2009 at 5:34 am
John from Taunton, MA. Your welcome. I probably gave you rides on the “TURBO”. It was a “GREAT” ride. Sometimes l would even take some of my friends there on my day off to ride the TURBO with them. And, if there wasn’t anyone waiting to go on the ride we would stay on the ride extra long. It was a very extreme and fun time for us all. I also ran the “SKY FROLIC” the was next to it as well. Do you remember that ride?
STAN - December 14th, 2009 at 3:39 pm
I have a few pics of old Turbo at our carnival “Johnston Amusements” in myspace. http://viewmorepics.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=user.viewPicture&friendID=61278928&albumId=1685449
Thank you
Larry J. Plants - December 16th, 2009 at 10:36 am
Kirk, Where in Sacramento is the Turbo rusting away?
Scott - December 17th, 2009 at 1:26 pm
Turbo is last operated in 97 but they been in store in Winter Quarters for 12 years ago becomes rusty and sometine in fiberglass cage got torn apart. They are location in south sacramento but that is private property in winter quarters. Along with 1940 tilt, 1960 tilt, octopus, old bumper cars, sidewinder (roll-o-plane) and Rampage pics.
Larry J. Plants - December 19th, 2009 at 8:30 am
hi larry j. plants. will johnston amusement selling the complete chance turbo what i saw your space photo. if they going to sell can i have their contact information? cheers john
John - January 24th, 2010 at 9:30 pm
Chance Turbo is for sale in Ebay that is sell for $25,000 but need some TLC also very fair and poor condition. Also found on http://www.usedrides.com has it but who is hell was Jerry? He is steal from Ken Johnston rides and he sell it to make money. They are location in Elk Grove.
Larry J. Plants - February 19th, 2010 at 7:41 pm
I remember seeing one at Petticoat Junction Amusement Park in Panama City Beach FL when I was a little kid.
Mike - April 23rd, 2010 at 8:28 am
The turbo was a great ride I went on it yesterday, there’s one in North America
Peter - May 25th, 2010 at 2:33 pm
Hi Peter You rode one in May? Where? I’d travel from the UK to try this legendary ride & my ultimate goal is to locate one for sale that doesn’t need to much work & bring it to our forthcoming ‘Heritage Amusement Park’ in Kent set to open (all going well) in the next 3 years.
Alan - June 17th, 2010 at 8:30 am
The Turbo is the best thrill ride I ever rode. It appeared in the early 1970’s on Degeller’s Magic Midway at the Anderson, Indiana Free Fair. I Also saw one with Gooding’s Magic Midways, and Crown Amusements. The last time I saw one was at Old Indiana Amusement Park in the 1990’s. That park was purchased by Six Flags but they never operated it and they dismantled all of the rdes and shipped them to California.
Bob - June 20th, 2010 at 6:52 am
Those were the days! A local fair with a midway containing a Double Sky Wheel, Sky Diver, Turbo, Trabant, Toboggan, Flying Coaster, Paratrooper, Himalaya, Roll-O-Plane, Spider, Saturn 6, Round Up. Dodgem, Yo-Yo, Tip Top, Scrambler, Tilt-A-Whirl. Now we are lucky to have five so-so adult rides.
Bob - June 20th, 2010 at 7:17 am
Mark Hackett and John…. My great-grandparents were the owners of Harper Amusements I ask my grandmother the other day about it and she said you all were right it was a very popular ride.
Austin - July 6th, 2010 at 1:30 pm
Hey guys there is a Chance Turbo for sale in Sacremento for 25k, the guys name is Jerry and the phone number is 1-813-484-6406
Ryan Fix - July 28th, 2010 at 11:15 am
http://www.usedrides.com has a Turbo in Sacramento CA. The ad ID # is:’ 11523 The owner is named Jerry @ 813/484-6406 (That’s a Florida area code.) The price shown on usedrides.com is shown at $25,000.00 Good luck and keep me posted. Regards, pfpf
Paul Fabre - August 5th, 2010 at 9:06 am
I vividly remember my one and only ride on a Turbo. I think it was when I was in high school, so it must have been in 1970 on a brand-new machine. It came with a traveling carnival that set up at the Moonlite shopping center in Santa Clara, California, which carnival distinguished itself by playing “What’s New, Pussycat?” over and over at ear-splitting volumes over the PA system (I could hear it from my house a quarter-mile away). The Turbo didn’t LOOK that bad — like a Ferris wheel’s wilder first cousin. It was probably the single most horrible experience of my amusement-park-going life. I remember that afterwards I managed to stagger outside the fence before my legs gave way and I collapsed onto the ground. I don’t recall if I threw up or not, though I do remember thinking that it would be a really good idea. I have managed to impress hardened ACEers (American Coaster Enthusiasts) by citing my Turbo ride. My husband desperately envies me.
There’s a very nice write up and photo of a Turbo in “White Knuckle Ride” by Mark Wyatt (1996). Favorite quote: “when those wheels start to rotate, you’ll feel like that little ball in an empty spray paint can.”
Anne - August 28th, 2010 at 11:05 am