Turbo

Our 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 USD$75,000 but as with many other rides who had ‘earned their money back’ all but 3 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 spider web wheel 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 our 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 twenty years ago Australia had 3 working versions of the ride; all travelling, in very good condition. Unfortunately one was in a freight train accident in 1996 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 soon. The remaining idle units can be found only in North America, and as of November 2010, one of these is being refurbished by USA Showman, Jerry Baque.

Have you seen or ridden a Turbo? Please share your memories below or join the Facebook Turbo Amusement Ride Fan Club

103 Responses to “Turbo”

  1. 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

  2. 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

  3. 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

  4. 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

  5. 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

  6. 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

  7. 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

  8. 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

  9. 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

  10. 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

  11. 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

  12. 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

  13. 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

  14. 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

  15. 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

  16. 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

  17. 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

  18. 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

  19. 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

  20. 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

  21. 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

  22. 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

  23. 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

  24. 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

  25. 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

  26. 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

  27. Does this ride still exist in
    Australia?

    Adam - July 17th, 2009 at 3:29 pm

  28. 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

  29. 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

  30. here is a link to see turbo in action
    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WvV7UR_r4x4

    or you can find it in youtube!: Chance Turbo – amusement ride in action (off ride)

    psaenz - August 5th, 2009 at 5:33 pm

  31. 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

  32. 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

  33. 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

  34. wants to ride that soo badly, too bad their in astruila

    Ride enthuist - October 21st, 2009 at 4:47 am

  35. 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

  36. 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

  37. 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

  38. Kirk,
    Where in Sacramento is the Turbo rusting away?

    Scott - December 17th, 2009 at 1:26 pm

  39. 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

  40. 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

  41. 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

  42. 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

  43. 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

  44. 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

  45. 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

  46. 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

  47. 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

  48. 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

  49. 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

  50. 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

  51. I rode one of these when I was around 6 yrs old (~1972). There used to be one at Springlake Amusement Park near Oklahoma City. I remember being very frightened because it was the first “upside down” ride I had ever been on. I have wondered why I haven’t seen this ride since.

    Gary - October 20th, 2010 at 7:52 am

  52. Does anyone remember this ride at Darling Harbour in Sydney, Aust around 90-91? There were a few rides down there for a few years before all those nightclubs and restaurants were built. I was too small to ride it at the time but I remember it well…blue and yellow colours..also the UFO was there and the Tumble bug from Luna Park..

    Christy - October 21st, 2010 at 2:59 am

  53. I rode the turbo a couple of times during the ’70’s at the Kansas State Fair in Hutchinson, KS. The Turbo was with the Royal American Carnivals. I miss that ride. Chance should bring it back!

    Gary - November 14th, 2010 at 11:57 am

  54. I remember watching this ride in action in 1974 in Melbourne, Australia when I was six. My older siblings were allowed to ride it but I was too little at the time. When I was 13 I rode it 8 times in a row, and many times in later years. Absolutely loved it. There is no way I would ever go on it now! I always associated thie ride with the Zipper. They came to Aus at the same time. There are plenty of Zippers around, but hardly any turbos. It’s not even on Wikipedia. I am going to make a page in its honour!
    There was one at the Royal Melbourne Show a few years ago, but have not seen one since.
    We canNOT let this ride become extinct!

    Todd - December 20th, 2010 at 12:06 am

  55. i would love to ride that!

    Angel - December 21st, 2010 at 6:33 am

  56. I am rebuilding the turbo ride right now every nut and bolt and pin on it

    Elwin bell - December 27th, 2010 at 11:57 am

  57. Good on you Elwin. Knowing how well you present your other rides,it will surely be an immaculate restoration. We can hardly wait for it to be on the road again!

    Derek - December 29th, 2010 at 1:47 am

  58. When can we expect this back on the road in Oz? It’s been SO long since we’ve seen it!!!

    Jim - December 30th, 2010 at 10:51 pm

  59. Hey all. I am in the process. Of constructing a version of this ride and I need you help. Colors. If you have ideas email me at mneininger@gmail.com

    mike - January 5th, 2011 at 8:22 am

  60. What do you mean you are re-constructing it? making another turbo or a new version? or you mean a model one?

    Christy - January 10th, 2011 at 12:27 am

  61. Hey i saw the turbo the other day in west sydney…it was being tested it looked like. Only one wheel was painted and the other was white. Looks like they are re-vamping it or something. Looked like it was going really fast. Its good they are finally starting it again! Probably getting ready for this years easter show i would say!!

    Taryn - January 10th, 2011 at 12:31 am

  62. Hi Taryn, Did you get any photos? if not, GO BACK AN TAKE SOME PLEASE LOL. Email them to me joshy_41@hotmail.com and i’ll get them up on the site! THANKS :)

    tom - January 12th, 2011 at 8:02 pm

  63. back in the mid 70’s,there were 2 turbos operating a few blocks apart on the wildwood(NJ)boardwalk

    denny - February 3rd, 2011 at 1:32 pm

  64. Hi didnt get any fotos yet but yeh the Turbo is currently working and in Windsor..just north west of sydney… its currenly beautiful and in a blue theme of colours..also the name has been changed from turbo to charged up!!! cant wait till it goes to the easter show this year..hopefully!!!

    Taryn - February 18th, 2011 at 10:00 am

  65. Reithoffer shows had a turbo in the early seventies. I remember one teardown when the tower got stuck coming down. It was a very cool ride to set up and tear down.

    Steve A - February 19th, 2011 at 2:07 pm

  66. I Rode this Turbo at the San Mateo County Fair back in the 70’s.It was the best ride. Me and my best friend saved up money all year so when the fair came we would ride the turbo as much as we could.

    Laura - March 8th, 2011 at 8:53 am

  67. I remember the Turbo from the Canadian National Exhibition in Toronto back in the 1970’s. It was definitely the best ride at the fair. I have a cousin (15 or so at the time) who could not be scared by ANY ride. But when she rode the Turbo she screamed and cried for mercy! It was amazing how the angles changed as the ride operated. I can still remember being face down seemingly inches from the ground against the grate and then shooting straight up into the air. The ride was also great to watch from the sidelines – seemed lik cages were going all over the space – very nice.

    Bill - April 15th, 2011 at 7:49 am

  68. The turbo here is australia only weeks till its out and about on the road. Mildura Victoria may be its first show. then doing dandenong, taralgon if not. it will be at there 2011/2012 christmas carnival.

    Bruce Bell - May 1st, 2011 at 5:01 pm

  69. Hay thats great news was this the one that was over in nz about 12 years ago could you put up some photos thanks

    bruce - May 3rd, 2011 at 5:51 pm

  70. HI I set up and tore down a turbo for Sam Johnston for three years Back in the 1990. They had one of the first one made. It is in Los Angles beening redone. They sold it to a show their. Will look for any old pictures.

    Rick Larson - May 17th, 2011 at 10:34 pm

  71. I rememember riding The Turbo at the Boardwalk in Wildwood, NJ in 1976-1977. It was a memorable ride- there were no belts in the cages- just a padded bar that you could cling to if you were strong enough. I would love to ride it again.

    ROBERT ANDREWS - June 13th, 2011 at 11:51 am

  72. The Turbo was at the Anderson, Indiana Free Fair in the 1970’s. Degeller’s Magic Midway had the midway contract throughout the 60’s and 70’s and ususally setup about 20 big rides as well as many kiddie rides. If I remember correctly they contracted the Turbo from Reithoffer Shows for that season. The Turbo was the wildest and most fun ride I ever rode and I wish they were still around.

    Bob Armstrong - July 17th, 2011 at 6:47 am

  73. I loved this ride, my family owned a carnival growing up. I was always on this ride

    Michelle - July 31st, 2011 at 5:07 pm

  74. anyone who knows where can i buy 10 turbo cages???

    ioannis - September 26th, 2011 at 5:16 pm

  75. This ride needs too come to Miami Florida, Dade County Youth Fair

    dEMETRIOUS - January 15th, 2012 at 3:02 pm

  76. Wow, cool to find this page.
    I got to ride a Turbo only a couple times, mid-late 70s at the Marin County Fair.
    Not much action on this page, anyone got an update if there’s any Turbo actually running or will be this Summer?
    Thanks

    AC - March 6th, 2013 at 5:21 pm

  77. I remember my first ride on the turbo I was about 10 Years old in 1977 in Wildwood New Jersey Spent my summers down there from a baby to my adulthood and rode it every summer time until they took it down Which was only a couple years and then I found the zipper and started riding that Oh the memories Now they were well built rides

    Carlo D - September 8th, 2013 at 11:46 pm

  78. the show I work for owns a radar it is no longer in service though

    will - September 25th, 2013 at 11:39 am

  79. OMG!! My sister and I road the Turbo, screamed our heads off to let us off, and were sick for 2 days!! I remember my sister saying I looked like a “Boiled Owl” while we were on it LOL!! I can’t say I am a fan, but it is for sure a Wildwood memory that I will NEVER forget :-)

    Myra Dougherty - September 29th, 2013 at 12:16 pm

  80. I have seen this ride,TURBO, at the New Mexico State Fair in 1971 & 1972.

    calvin j.h. - October 28th, 2013 at 11:21 pm

  81. I have recently talked with bells, regarding the Australian turbo. Hopefully it will be ready to go very soon! Keep your eyes out for this one, and ride one of the best rides ever made!

    Les - November 27th, 2013 at 8:37 pm

  82. I ran the Turbo on Marine Pier in Wildwood during the summer of 1976; the following summer Marine Pier became Mariners Landing. I was 19 years old at the time and lived with two other fellas from Pittsburgh. I made a $100 in extra money from all the change that fell from people’s pockets. We filled the gaps between the boards with rope so that we captured all the change. I worked with an retired gentleman named Ted. Our favorite trick was to offer to hold people’s cameras when they were on the ride. We would then take a photo of each other giving the finger to the camera. Imagine the laughs when these people developed their film a few weeks later when they returned home to Bayonne, Camden or Philly. Boy was it fun!

    Patrick - April 29th, 2014 at 1:16 pm

  83. I wouldn’t ride or let any one ride the turbo this ride killed my dad at the Sydney royal Easter show

    Danial - May 2nd, 2014 at 7:30 pm

  84. MYFIRSTRIDEINTHETURBOWASATRYRUNINPUERTORICOTHEOPERSTORHAVEAGOODLAFTTHANKSTOCOMMANDOANDCHAINSAW1979AMUSSPECTACULAIRERULE

    flolaverdiere - May 16th, 2014 at 6:16 pm

  85. iw realy not sure about the comment before but wthati was talking about was that my firstride intheche turbo happen in sanjuan portorico merci commando et chainsaw amusspectaculaire rule

    flolaverdiere - May 16th, 2014 at 6:30 pm

  86. By the time Bells get it ready and operating ill be 90. When will they start to move quicker. I cant wait anymore for the Turbo!!

    Caspian - July 7th, 2014 at 2:12 am

  87. I remember seeing a TURBO at the Arkansas State Fair in Little Rock, AR, back in the early 1970’s ( probably 1972 ). The ride fascinated me and glad to see there are others out there that remember this ride.

    Mark - July 13th, 2014 at 7:06 am

  88. the ex australian turbo just sold on used rides – currently in china- does anyone know where its going?? back to OZ???

    les - November 15th, 2014 at 11:52 am

  89. Reithoffer Shows still has there old turbo at one of there winter quarters in Abbeville S.C.

    Mark - November 30th, 2014 at 12:56 am

  90. The Turbo in China was sold to Playland in Vancouver BC; slated for a 2016 debut

    Mark Hackett - December 4th, 2014 at 2:17 am

  91. The China Turbo that got sold to Playland was ultimately scrapped later, can’t remember when,
    Bell’s turbo in Australia is almost ready to run, it’s going through aesthetic phases, and a few more tubs are needed.

    Lewie - January 15th, 2015 at 1:24 am

  92. What about the rotor ride it is the original hellhole I seen one in existence in my 28 years doing carnivals ????

    Robert Donnelly - May 7th, 2015 at 2:22 am

  93. With Chance starting to make Zippers again, I wonder how long it will be until we see the turbo make a comeback?

    U306 - March 26th, 2016 at 2:28 pm

  94. I saw one of these back in the mid-80’s in Oklahoma City when I was 13. It was in the parking lot of a strip mall at SW 74th & Penn; one of those traveling carnivals. I’ll never forget it. Sadly, I didn’t get to attend the carnival so I never got the chance to ride the infamous Turbo!

    Greg Bennett - April 6th, 2016 at 10:09 am

  95. There’s one in operation in Delicias, Chihuahua in Mexico. At a park called DIF. I contacted a carnival company here in Mexico that used to operate one of these in the mid 90s to ask what they did to it. They told me they sold it in 2000 but sadly after that it was involved in an accident and didnt operate until 2009 when it was restored. I have a photo to prove it. Anyway the owner of the company informed me of this other turbo still operating in a park so I’ll inb stagnate more cause that would make 5 turbos fully operational from the 23 manufactured. Oh and by the way, some guy posted a coment on YouTube on a video of a turbo in operation he said he owns one but doesn’t knows how to assemble it and was asking for a user manual but the account that posted the coment has been deleted and there’s. O way to contact him.

    Eric - May 6th, 2016 at 3:26 pm

  96. Found memories of the turbo I’d love to see and running

    Dave - January 1st, 2017 at 2:14 pm

  97. still don’t get why they got rid of this ride

    Terra Verso - October 22nd, 2017 at 6:50 pm

  98. Rode it – loved it – would love to reboot this – fabricate it – travel around – under safety licences from “chance”

    Jeremy Harcock - December 26th, 2017 at 10:41 pm

  99. I loved riding the Turbo – one of my all-time favourite rides!!!! It was usually not far from the Zipper at the Brisbane Exhibition Show (the Ekka). I remember riding one time in the mid 80’s and everything had flown out of my pockets but still safe in the cage.

    Jodie Doolan - April 14th, 2019 at 8:26 am

  100. Schneider Amusement out of Ohio had a portable one they travelled with in the mid 80’s. Rumor was it was the one from Idora park in Youngstown Ohio. Idora had a major fire and closed in 84. Fortunately I did get to ride it!!

    Dennis Randolph - January 14th, 2020 at 8:51 pm

  101. Does anyone own or know if a chance turbo is being sold?

    Nodin - April 17th, 2022 at 11:31 am

  102. I contacted Bell Amusements (Australia) about the progress of the refurb, this is what Elwin Bell had to say on 4 June 2022:
    “Haven’t finished yet but the turbo will live again one day just need time to finish it.”

    Stuart Maddison - August 30th, 2022 at 3:24 pm

  103. I rode it, was orsm, would love to see it again, build one

    Jeremy - September 29th, 2024 at 12:11 am

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