Yes, it is the Meteor. The diagram shows one of the three rotating platforms. You were seated on this ride and the diagram shows one of the seats. When the ride began the three circular platforms rotated, first giving you a ride similar to that of the Scrambler (though it was nothing like it in appearance). The major difference is that the Meteor tilted up at an angle, similar to, but not as steep as the Round-Up. I remember The Meteor at Vancouver’s Pacific National Exhibition in the early 1960s. Can’t find a photo of this ride anywhere.
Jim Bower, if you call me with a physical address, I’ll mail you a copy of Meteor brochure from 1960’s. 509-990-2968 Pacific Time. Meteor at PNE probably Bob Bollinger’s (Oaks Park), serial# 700, 1st one built of 24 Meteors(1961-1966) Prettiest one was at 1962 Seattle World’s Fair with fiberglass “leaves” on curved light fixtures and custom fence as a showpiece for visiting ride buyers.
When I was on Reithoffer Shows in the 70’s, we had a Meteor and a Round Up. Later on they took delivery on a Super Round Up. Call Reithoffer. You can bet they have pictures.
Do you have any details of the electric brack mechanisms on a Hrubetz Round-up we are rebuilding one and the bracks internals have completly rusted away. Paul Beldom. Hunstanton, England. UK
Iv,e never ridden a Meteor ride that was or that might still be manufactured by Hrubetz ride company, but I still have dreams to someday see one again and ride it, and if their are any Meteor ride models operating in the United States in good condition.
Amusements of America had a Meteor back in 1964. It was a very smooth ride, I can still remember the sound it made. I don’t belive the ride was very popular, as I never saw it with any of their shows after that.
If you do a Google images search for 1962 Gayway (amusement area of the Seattle World’s Fair), you will find several images of a postcard that features the Meteor all lit-up at night. I have this postcard in my collection. Never saw a Meteor in person. There is brief footage of the ride in the Elvis film “It Happened at the World’s Fair”. Reminds me of a larger Tempest with only 3 platforms instead of 4.
I rode the Meteor at the Seattle World’s fair. It was very pretty ride. Later a traveling carnival came through Sunnyvale Ca. sometime in the mid 60’s and they had one. I know that Butler Amusements did lots of carnivals in our area so it may have been theirs.
If you Google or You tube video of the Seattle worlds fair there are some brief shots of it as well. Just be patient while viewing as some of the material is a bit long.
There was also one at San Francisco’s Playland at the Beach shortly before they closed. I bought a ticket and rode it but it did not lift off and tilt up.
Thought I would add, that we were on Bernard Shows before Conklin bought it. At the time, the Trebant was “the” ride, but we used to outgross them every week.
I saw one at the manufacturing plant in Salem, Oregon in about 1972 when I was in junior high school. It was on the back lot of the manufacturing facility, and non-operational. Hrubetz and his former employer, Jack Eyerly, inspired me to earn my electrical engineering degree.
I remember the one at Oaks Park very well. It was there when Funtastic Shows was still based at Oaks and lent them a ride every now and then. Very visually attractive; though the operators always complained about the brakes.
Back in the 70’s I setup and ran a Meteor ride at the Santa Clara County Fair. It belonged to Lloyd Hilligos of Redwood City,CA also known as Foley and Burke Fun Fair Shows. This was also the last spot played by this show as all of their equipment was seized and Foley and Burke fell into the history books. I know a lot of their equipment was parked in a lot next to the fairgrounds for a while. I wonder what happened to that Meteor.
I worked a 64 meteor on the old W.G.Wade shows
back in 70, I loved this piece of equiptment, It
was one of my favorites.
It was one of the best rides of the day
The Meteor was the first “scary” ride I rode on as a kid, around 1970 at a carnival in the parking lot of the Weberstown Mall in Stockton, CA. I’ve always questioned my memory of the name and ride, as I’ve never seen one since, but turns out I was right all along. I’d love to see a photo or, better yet, a video of one of these in operation. I still like “scary” rides…even at 50!
I remember riding the Meteor as a kid in the 80’s. They were very popular in the carnival circuit in Puerto Rico into the 90’s. I think there still maybe one floating around to this day. It would be nice to ride it again. It was one of my first thrill rides!
Wade Shows at one time had three Hrubetz Meteor rides. Frank Zaitshik told me once that he sold one, kept one, and he believed the third was a parts only piece that ended up being scrapped. He bought the show from Glenn Wade in 1980, and Glenn and Red Wood and Jim Elliott started Elliott Amusement Company right after that, 1981, I believe, and they carried a Meteor, most likely the second Wade ride. Wade had a Meteor at least through 1984, as I recall riding it at the Michigan State Fair, it had a ‘Star Wars’ theme painted on the panels. No perimeter lights on any of the satellites, just the lights in the center. The two Wade moved were painted red/white/blue. One had blue side panels on the satellites, the other had white. My second favorite ride of all time right behind the Chance/Allan Herschell Sky Wheel.
J Jones–Drews Meteor was sold years ago. It belongs to PBJ Happee Daze shows out of West Memphis, Arkansas. They still have it, and use it a couple of times a year from what I have been told. It is the last and only Meteor on the road in the United States.
I worked for Foley & Burke shows when Mr. Hilligoss owned it. I started on the ground mount scrambler, lot of pig iron. I was there for about 7 years learned to operate and set u p of several different rides Round up , tilt a whirl , tip top, bumper cars, just a few lot of fun
I haven,t seen a Meteor ride since the mid 1970,s, and the fair where I once saw that ride had long lines because the rides were free, I have big dreams about wanting to ride a Meteor, as well as the Turbo, Radar that were both made by Chance Rides, and other rides that I would like to ride for the first time, and if I someday see them in California.
I was there in the 70s Of course I was just a child..My parents worked for Greg Hilligoss my father had the Machine guns “MACHINE GUN MIKE”Along with many other joints that Gregg had…We where a Family that traveled with the show in the 70s…Some of the others that I remember is ” Zorro,Tear drop those are a couple of ride jocks,PopPop.Willie whomp whomp were jointies…anyone that knew them in the 70s I would love to here from you…
Julie King! I remember you….you were just a kid. I was married to Larry LaJeunesse who ran the Zyclone (I hope I spelled that right). It’s been a long time and I happened to wonder what happened to F & B Shows. I had heard that Butler bought them out, but based on an above comment maybe not.
You probably don’t remember this but Larry and I stayed with you and your family in Sunnyvale during part of the off season. Lol, in a regular tract house except that it had no bathroom, so we had to find another place because I was pregnant. It had to be 1975.
I remember Zorro and Teardrop…I saw Zorro in 1980 or so, I think he was with Butler Shows, it was in San Jose, at the fairgrounds. Their friend Bobby Lighter went to LA and I never knew what happened to him. I still have a photo of the 3 of them, they looked so scary but were really cream puffs.
What a nice trip back into the past…..hope you are well and happy.
the Alaska State Fair in Palmer had the Meteor Ride up till 1999. I haven’t seen it in a while. The last time I rode on the ride there was not sign telling you the name, everyone knew the ride as the “3 Circle Round Up”
Whatever happened to Bud. The guy with a hook in place of one of his hands. He worked Foley and Burke and West Coast Combined Shows. Also Paul (the blind kid) whose parents ran the Weirdo Maze (glass house)
The Meteor is the first ride I learned to operate for Mr Bollinger at Oaks Park in Portland, Or. in 1972. Helping with a class on “Out of Date Rides” and would like a picture if anyone has one. Thanks
Bill Curlee I used to work with you on Foley and Burke shows they used to call me skinny Danny I worked the meteor for three years then I went to the zipper oh what great memories
I worked F & B shows 1972 – 1974. Worked at Machine Gun joint, poster, joint and ticket seller. My “sister” Jenna, you’ll called her Red, and I were there. I was Teardrops Ole lady for a brief bit. Zorro always made sure I and my dog Harley were safe if a rumble broke out. God those were good days, I miss them so much!
I am trying to find the rare Meteor ride to experience it. Does anyone know if PBJ Happee Daze Shows still takes their Meteor out? I hope to contact them. Also, I read that there is one still operating at a city park somewhere in Puerto Rico. Anyone verify that claim? Thanks!
This is not a patent of a round-up. It is the Hrubetz Meteor.
Mark Blumhagen - August 17th, 2009 at 2:22 pm
Yes, it is the Meteor. The diagram shows one of the three rotating platforms. You were seated on this ride and the diagram shows one of the seats. When the ride began the three circular platforms rotated, first giving you a ride similar to that of the Scrambler (though it was nothing like it in appearance). The major difference is that the Meteor tilted up at an angle, similar to, but not as steep as the Round-Up. I remember The Meteor at Vancouver’s Pacific National Exhibition in the early 1960s. Can’t find a photo of this ride anywhere.
Jim Bower - September 18th, 2009 at 5:10 am
Jim Bower, if you call me with a physical address, I’ll mail you a copy of Meteor brochure from 1960’s. 509-990-2968 Pacific Time. Meteor at PNE probably Bob Bollinger’s (Oaks Park), serial# 700, 1st one built of 24 Meteors(1961-1966) Prettiest one was at 1962 Seattle World’s Fair with fiberglass “leaves” on curved light fixtures and custom fence as a showpiece for visiting ride buyers.
Mark Blumhagen - October 17th, 2009 at 1:55 pm
When I was on Reithoffer Shows in the 70’s, we had a Meteor and a Round Up. Later on they took delivery on a Super Round Up. Call Reithoffer. You can bet they have pictures.
Mike Campi - November 30th, 2009 at 11:29 am
Do you have any details of the electric brack mechanisms on a Hrubetz Round-up we are rebuilding one and the bracks internals have completly rusted away. Paul Beldom. Hunstanton, England. UK
Paul Beldom - February 12th, 2010 at 7:08 am
Iv,e never ridden a Meteor ride that was or that might still be manufactured by Hrubetz ride company, but I still have dreams to someday see one again and ride it, and if their are any Meteor ride models operating in the United States in good condition.
Carlos Saltz - March 21st, 2010 at 7:29 am
Amusements of America had a Meteor back in 1964. It was a very smooth ride, I can still remember the sound it made. I don’t belive the ride was very popular, as I never saw it with any of their shows after that.
Tony Duda - April 1st, 2010 at 2:54 am
If you do a Google images search for 1962 Gayway (amusement area of the Seattle World’s Fair), you will find several images of a postcard that features the Meteor all lit-up at night. I have this postcard in my collection. Never saw a Meteor in person. There is brief footage of the ride in the Elvis film “It Happened at the World’s Fair”. Reminds me of a larger Tempest with only 3 platforms instead of 4.
Mark Hackett - April 7th, 2010 at 11:19 am
I rode the Meteor at the Seattle World’s fair. It was very pretty ride. Later a traveling carnival came through Sunnyvale Ca. sometime in the mid 60’s and they had one. I know that Butler Amusements did lots of carnivals in our area so it may have been theirs.
If you Google or You tube video of the Seattle worlds fair there are some brief shots of it as well. Just be patient while viewing as some of the material is a bit long.
Dan Eberhardt - October 13th, 2010 at 6:50 am
There was also one at San Francisco’s Playland at the Beach shortly before they closed. I bought a ticket and rode it but it did not lift off and tilt up.
Dan Eberhardt - October 13th, 2010 at 6:51 am
My dad had one in the 70’s. We played all over Ontario with it.
Jacquie Cleaver - February 14th, 2011 at 2:25 am
Thought I would add, that we were on Bernard Shows before Conklin bought it. At the time, the Trebant was “the” ride, but we used to outgross them every week.
Jacquie Cleaver - February 14th, 2011 at 2:50 am
I saw one at the manufacturing plant in Salem, Oregon in about 1972 when I was in junior high school. It was on the back lot of the manufacturing facility, and non-operational. Hrubetz and his former employer, Jack Eyerly, inspired me to earn my electrical engineering degree.
Kevin Haddock - March 13th, 2011 at 9:22 am
I remember the one at Oaks Park very well. It was there when Funtastic Shows was still based at Oaks and lent them a ride every now and then. Very visually attractive; though the operators always complained about the brakes.
Todd Keranen - May 19th, 2011 at 1:10 pm
Back in the 70’s I setup and ran a Meteor ride at the Santa Clara County Fair. It belonged to Lloyd Hilligos of Redwood City,CA also known as Foley and Burke Fun Fair Shows. This was also the last spot played by this show as all of their equipment was seized and Foley and Burke fell into the history books. I know a lot of their equipment was parked in a lot next to the fairgrounds for a while. I wonder what happened to that Meteor.
Dan Gamble - July 4th, 2011 at 5:47 pm
I worked a 64 meteor on the old W.G.Wade shows
back in 70, I loved this piece of equiptment, It
was one of my favorites.
It was one of the best rides of the day
kevin chevalier - August 29th, 2011 at 3:53 pm
The Meteor was the first “scary” ride I rode on as a kid, around 1970 at a carnival in the parking lot of the Weberstown Mall in Stockton, CA. I’ve always questioned my memory of the name and ride, as I’ve never seen one since, but turns out I was right all along. I’d love to see a photo or, better yet, a video of one of these in operation. I still like “scary” rides…even at 50!
Sean Davis - September 30th, 2011 at 4:34 am
I found a cool video of this ride on youtube, operating in a Denmark amusement park. Link is here or copy and paste to your browser.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YoMF-TSlAHY
Sean Davis - September 30th, 2011 at 5:22 am
Um hi just wanted to say Frank Hrubetz is like my grandpa’s uncle or something. LOL! :)
Sydney - October 14th, 2011 at 4:06 am
I remember riding the Meteor as a kid in the 80’s. They were very popular in the carnival circuit in Puerto Rico into the 90’s. I think there still maybe one floating around to this day. It would be nice to ride it again. It was one of my first thrill rides!
Angel Garcia - December 30th, 2011 at 5:29 am
“”” I found a cool video of this ride on youtube, operating in a Denmark amusement park. Link is here or copy and paste to your browser.”””
That is awesome. I remember them being painted all red and white which had a classy look to it. Thanks for finding that.
Dan Eberhardt - December 30th, 2011 at 8:57 am
I believe Jimmy Drew still has his family’s Meteor, from the Great James H Drew Exposition
J Jones - January 14th, 2012 at 10:09 pm
Wade Shows at one time had three Hrubetz Meteor rides. Frank Zaitshik told me once that he sold one, kept one, and he believed the third was a parts only piece that ended up being scrapped. He bought the show from Glenn Wade in 1980, and Glenn and Red Wood and Jim Elliott started Elliott Amusement Company right after that, 1981, I believe, and they carried a Meteor, most likely the second Wade ride. Wade had a Meteor at least through 1984, as I recall riding it at the Michigan State Fair, it had a ‘Star Wars’ theme painted on the panels. No perimeter lights on any of the satellites, just the lights in the center. The two Wade moved were painted red/white/blue. One had blue side panels on the satellites, the other had white. My second favorite ride of all time right behind the Chance/Allan Herschell Sky Wheel.
skywheelrider - January 20th, 2012 at 1:13 pm
J Jones–Drews Meteor was sold years ago. It belongs to PBJ Happee Daze shows out of West Memphis, Arkansas. They still have it, and use it a couple of times a year from what I have been told. It is the last and only Meteor on the road in the United States.
skywheelrider - January 20th, 2012 at 1:14 pm
There was a operating meteor ride in Oahu Hawaii back in 2000. Unfortunately it was rather old and in disrepair and I havn’t see it since :(
Rick P. - April 26th, 2012 at 10:57 pm
I worked for Foley & Burke shows when Mr. Hilligoss owned it. I started on the ground mount scrambler, lot of pig iron. I was there for about 7 years learned to operate and set u p of several different rides Round up , tilt a whirl , tip top, bumper cars, just a few lot of fun
Billy Curlee - August 30th, 2012 at 6:06 am
I started f&b in1975 worked a rim iron zipper twister sweety bobsled himalaja things shure have changed things were fun back then
spider - September 11th, 2012 at 8:45 am
I haven,t seen a Meteor ride since the mid 1970,s, and the fair where I once saw that ride had long lines because the rides were free, I have big dreams about wanting to ride a Meteor, as well as the Turbo, Radar that were both made by Chance Rides, and other rides that I would like to ride for the first time, and if I someday see them in California.
Carlos Saltz - November 9th, 2012 at 8:41 am
I was there in the 70s Of course I was just a child..My parents worked for Greg Hilligoss my father had the Machine guns “MACHINE GUN MIKE”Along with many other joints that Gregg had…We where a Family that traveled with the show in the 70s…Some of the others that I remember is ” Zorro,Tear drop those are a couple of ride jocks,PopPop.Willie whomp whomp were jointies…anyone that knew them in the 70s I would love to here from you…
Julie King - March 3rd, 2013 at 4:28 am
Julie King! I remember you….you were just a kid. I was married to Larry LaJeunesse who ran the Zyclone (I hope I spelled that right). It’s been a long time and I happened to wonder what happened to F & B Shows. I had heard that Butler bought them out, but based on an above comment maybe not.
You probably don’t remember this but Larry and I stayed with you and your family in Sunnyvale during part of the off season. Lol, in a regular tract house except that it had no bathroom, so we had to find another place because I was pregnant. It had to be 1975.
I remember Zorro and Teardrop…I saw Zorro in 1980 or so, I think he was with Butler Shows, it was in San Jose, at the fairgrounds. Their friend Bobby Lighter went to LA and I never knew what happened to him. I still have a photo of the 3 of them, they looked so scary but were really cream puffs.
What a nice trip back into the past…..hope you are well and happy.
Ginger LaJeunesse - June 26th, 2013 at 5:57 am
the Alaska State Fair in Palmer had the Meteor Ride up till 1999. I haven’t seen it in a while. The last time I rode on the ride there was not sign telling you the name, everyone knew the ride as the “3 Circle Round Up”
Kaisa S - August 13th, 2013 at 12:56 pm
Moegerle shows and Rides had one in the seventies. they retired it to their park Playland Park in Akron Oh. Don’t know where it went to.
Kevin Goodwin - December 24th, 2013 at 12:21 pm
Sofo amusements in auburn ny bought the one Reithoffer shows Had and used it every summer until early 2000’s
Mark - July 8th, 2015 at 4:22 am
Hrubetz Invented the amusement ride.
William - March 27th, 2016 at 8:05 am
Whatever happened to Bud. The guy with a hook in place of one of his hands. He worked Foley and Burke and West Coast Combined Shows. Also Paul (the blind kid) whose parents ran the Weirdo Maze (glass house)
Rick - June 8th, 2016 at 9:18 am
The Meteor is the first ride I learned to operate for Mr Bollinger at Oaks Park in Portland, Or. in 1972. Helping with a class on “Out of Date Rides” and would like a picture if anyone has one. Thanks
John Lamoreaux - February 15th, 2017 at 5:21 am
Bill Curlee I used to work with you on Foley and Burke shows they used to call me skinny Danny I worked the meteor for three years then I went to the zipper oh what great memories
Danny Morton - June 9th, 2018 at 1:35 pm
I worked F & B shows 1972 – 1974. Worked at Machine Gun joint, poster, joint and ticket seller. My “sister” Jenna, you’ll called her Red, and I were there. I was Teardrops Ole lady for a brief bit. Zorro always made sure I and my dog Harley were safe if a rumble broke out. God those were good days, I miss them so much!
Brandy Cline - November 21st, 2021 at 11:34 pm
I am trying to find the rare Meteor ride to experience it. Does anyone know if PBJ Happee Daze Shows still takes their Meteor out? I hope to contact them. Also, I read that there is one still operating at a city park somewhere in Puerto Rico. Anyone verify that claim? Thanks!
Derek Wise - March 7th, 2023 at 1:14 am