Maple Leaf Village Chance Turbo

Maple Leaf Village was the only park in Canada to have one of the very rare Turbo rides, built by Chance Rides. The Turbo was an amazing ride. It had 2 side wheels, similar to ferris wheels, but with round cages, which would spin/pivot at the end of the arms. The arms would rotate, and the turret in the middle would also turn. Everytime you went 1 revolution you would end up in a different area on the ground. Only 23 Turbo rides were ever built, between 1970 and 1976. Of the 23 built, it is not 100% known how many are still in existence, but it is likely less than 1/2. The number is even smaller for those still operating. After the Turbo's time at Maple Leaf Village, it was sold to Old Indiana Amusement Park where it operated for a short time, and was then sold to Conneaut Lake Park, where it was left racked on the trailers. The exact location of the ride is not known, having apparently been sold. I had the opportunity to operate and ride the turbo during my 4 years at the Village. In the "Artifact" section of the website I have a photo of one of the cage lock knobs off the back, and the cover for the control panel which has the Ontario Operating Liscence. My thanks to Mark Hackett of the American Coaster Enthusiasts who sent me his shots from his visit. Oddly enough, I was the operator of the Turbo that day.

The rare Chance Turbo is packed onto its 2 trailers, at the end of the final season. The Turbo would soon be relocated to Old Indiana Fun Park.
(Photo by Ken Jones Jr.)

Mark Hackett, a member of the American Coaster Enthusiasts travelled to the Village just to ride the rare Turbo. He is shown here in front of the ride.
(Photo from Mark Hackett)

A good side view of the Chance Turbo. The Spider is at the right in the photo.
(Photo by Mark Hackett.)

The Turbo, as seen through the gap between the Chance Carousel (left) and the Bumper Cars (right)
(Photo by Mark Hackett

Mark had one of his travel mates take this shot of him in one of the Turbo cages. It was a tight fit getting in there, and if you had any girth at all, the door was not closing.
(Photo from Mark Hackett)

The Maple Leaf Village Turbo was sold to Old Indiana Fun Park after the Village closed. It is seen here in operation at the park.
(Photo by Mark Hackett)