Missing the TWISTER at Indiana Beach

Chance made the Twister at IB, but they are out of production. So in that case the best chance for replacement parts is to find another one somewhere, buy it, and use it for parts. Those rides are few and far between now, so I would say the prospect of rehabbing one is not good. The one at IB was in the best shape of any I'd seen in a while, it looked well taken care of, so if it's out of commision now it's probably not worth the hassle to them. Just a guess.

Sellner invented and still makes the Tilt a Whirl. It is the official state ride of Minnesota.

I don't know of a Hurricane ride that would be a large version of the Twister.

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Mamoosh said:
I leave you a big opening and you're not even going to touch it? ;)

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Little known fact that that big opening, like the Great Wall or Grand Canyon is one of the few things visble from outer space! LOL... sorry someone had to fill that big opening!

The hurricane I went on was at the Ionia free fair back in the 1970's. They had quite a collection of rides back then, including a Cobra, Sky Diver, tobogan, Galaxy rollercoaster, Hymalaya, Flying bobs with a tunnel. (The only flying bobs I have ever seen with a tunnel, and a great light show.) They also had a very unusual mad mouse coaster.

I remember the hurricane very well. It had twelve cars, exactly like the two seater cars on twister. Only the ride could only load 4 cars at a time, because the back half of the ride was very steep, and only the ride operators could go up there. I rember it because I loved it. My brothers were both white as ghosts after riding it, and my brother charlie threw up.

I rode with my sister Linda, and we both liked it. It was a lot like riding the twister and the spider combined, as on the steep back turn you were at quite a steep angle. A lot steeper than twister.

I thought the twister was intense, The hurricane was even worse, and on the spinning was insane. I don't think I have been on any ride that spins faster. I also recall the weird reving sound as the ride turned, kind of like a motorcycle reving it's engine over and over.

I do recall one intense octopus ride my sister, her friend Deb and I went on at the Allegan fair. The Car spun the entire ride, my sister Linda fainted on that one. The only ride I was ever on where I couldn't wait to get off. My sister was out when the ride stopped. they got some smelling salt and she quickly recovered...But, my dad sure was pissed. *** Edited 6/29/2008 7:23:35 PM UTC by Timber-Rider***

^ Your family sounds like an interesting group to travel with, to say the least!

The Hurricane you describe sounds interesting, too. I was riding quite a bit in the 70's, fairs, parks, and all, and I can't for the life of me place this ride. Did it have a platform all the way around, or did the arms just lie in the air, Octopus style?

Ionia Fair is in Michigan, right? I'm in Ohio, and back then the midways around here were pretty much dominated by Gooding, and occasionally Kissel Bros. Although the ride may have been independently owned, do you happen to remember what carnival company was booked on your midway? Maybe we can research it that way.

Or, maybe you don't care that much! But I feel like I'm on a quest.

No doubt, Timber-Rider. I too, remember the "older guy" op (mid-to-late 90's?)...I was amazed that he seemed to be able to isolate the movement on specific cars.

Guntown Mountain, you say? As long as I can stop at the old site of the Golgotha Fun Park, why not?

Mission:Space, my ass. Twister...now that was some c-force. *** Edited 6/29/2008 10:44:31 PM UTC by JackWrather***

^I think the 'older guy's name was Steve. I'm sure somone on here knows :)