BOBS / TORNADO roller coaster CONEY ISLAND, NY

The "Bobs" was one of many thrilling roller coasters that existed during the 1920's at Coney Island in Brooklyn, NY. Later renamed "Tornado", the coaster met it's fate in 1977 when it partially burned. It sadly never reopened. I do not know who took this video clip. It was one of many that I have had on an old VCR tape for many years. It is only posted here for all us You Tubers to enjoy a glimpse of the past.

Category:

Travel & Events

Tags:

• coney
• island
• new
• york
• city
• brooklyn
• amusement
• park
• wooden
• roller
• coaster
• fred
• church
• bobs
• tornado

[BowlingDiseased]

Great video thanks for posting. I was 4 in 1977 and don't remember ever seeing this ride. I do remember the Thunderbolt running and it's spooky decline in the 90's. I was sad to see the Thunderbolt demolished. I hoped they would someday reopen the coaster. So sad what happened to Coney Island. My father has amazing stories of Steeplechase.

[swampfoxer]

@TheChronaholic - This was not the Cyclone coaster. The Thunderbolt coaster was the Annie Hall coaster. This is a completely different coaster.

[jimamia77]

I don't know any of these rides but I have taken plenty of expensive rides on the Cyclone and the Wonder Wheel. Six Flags is my Coney! I hope to have grandchildren to brag about my experiences there! My parents generation ditched the city and Coney for the suburbs and built the almighty Six Flags! Kingda Ka rules!!

[zoetmb]

In the early 1970s, Coney Island still had three wooden roller coasters: The Cyclone (Surf & west 10th street), The Tornado (Stillwell Avenue and the Bowery) and the Thunderbolt (about West 15th Street and the Bowery). Only the Cyclone survives. IIRC, the Thunderbolt was illegally destroyed by the City. 

[nieceyboo81292]

i wish they still had this coaster there :(

[Zookzookzook13]

Always loved the Tornado - rode it many times in the mid-70's before it closed. It was tamer than the Cyclone, but fun just the same. Not a big drop at all at the top, but the tracks banked slightly, and it made for an unusual coaster ride. Thanks for posting!

[abbeykroeter]

@BeMyBigHero Glad to read that confirmation of what I suspected over the years from old photos; that there were many coasters (and other rides/physical amusements) on Coney Island that just makes me drool. I am definitely going to look up what you wrote. I am one of those strange folks that feels ripped off for not being able to experience Coney Island during it's several peak times. The old footage and photos are tantalizing; original designs everywhere! Not soulless corporate crap like today 

[chimayai]

I couldnt help noticing that the music sounds a lot like Joplin's "Maple Leaf Rag", but it's not quite right. If you need an mp3 of that tune, let me know: i have recorded a few of Joplin's Rags. Great video!!

[US51351142]

The Cyclone was just down the street, northerly from the Toronado. It was bigger and very, very rough. No finesse like this one. Rebuild it.

[US51351142]

This is the Tornado. I saw it as a kid in the late '40s and it looked so fantastic with severe banking throughout. Why did they ever tear it down. It was so beautiful to look at.

[ecrocker1]

@TheChronaholic The rolloer coaster Woody Allen used in Annie hall was the Thunderbolt not the Cyclone

[BeMyBigHero]

@MrB17FlyingFortress NOT NOT NOT . . . Thunderbolt was the Woody Allen Coaster in the Movie, "Annie Hall".

It was on Kensington Walk. Try a google search for "coney coaster hotel" and read all about it . . .

It's fun!!