Does Vekoma still make the old models?

[thomas2]

Hey guys

 

This is just a random thought of me, but does Vekoma still offer the older standard models? I'm talking about the famous Corkscrew model or the Whirlwind. RCDB lists these as 'in production' but it has been a long time since one has been built (last corkscrew was 1985 I believe). Or is it just that no park orders one of these models...

 

Which leads me to the question why SLC's and boomerangs have been going on for a long time while other models don't.

 

Corkscrew:

http://www.rcdb.com/m/r.htm?ot=2&mo=8204

 

Whirlwind:

http://www.rcdb.com/m/r.htm?ot=2&mo=8205

 

There are some other models too.

[tntornadox]

I am sure they would build anything you wanted to order, but you hit the nail on the head- no park wants one and hasn't for some time... anytime a 'new one' pops up, it's relocated from somewhere else.

 

The only 'new' corkscrew I have seen is from some Chinese company using ripped off Arrow patents at some park in Mexico.

[Sasquatch]

Personally I think a total re-design of their older models is in order to keep up with other companies competing in the rollercoaster market!

[cfc]

Have you tried checking their Web site to see what they offer (http://www.vekoma.com/index.php)? I guess a park could buy a custom looping coaster if it wanted too.

Edited April 23, 2010 by cfc

[thomas2]

The website doesn't list any of the older models I'm talking about, while it does list the boomerang- and SLC designs.

 

So yeah I guess the older standard models fall under the custom looping coaster category, but it's still strange they don't mention them anywhere.

 

Thank you!

[Spideyfreak]

Maybe they don't *want* to mention them for one reason or another. Ahem...

[Sasquatch]

^ I have heard that the older models run very well when maintained properly! Theres a corkscrew model in Mexico that apparently is actually fun to ride!

[HowieP]

They'll probably make them as a custom order, but not as part of their regular catalog.

[Hercules]

^ I have heard that the older models run very well when maintained properly! Theres a corkscrew model in Mexico that apparently is actually fun to ride!

 

I don't know. I can't atest to it. But I'm sure if you asked some of the more well versed riders around here, they will tell you that Vekoma corkscrews weren't even really all that fun to ride even when they were new!

[rcdude]

They'll probably make them as a custom order, but not as part of their regular catalog.

 

That's probably what they do. There isn't much point to listing something on a website when there are very few parks that would be interested in it.

[CoasterBoyJosh]

I have a related question...

 

How did the slc model become THE slc model? Does Vekoma say we're going to engineer a standard layout for you to buy off the shelf? Or does a company like Six Flags buy one, like it and decide to buy more of the same?

[RollingRunner]

^ Considering there is more than one "standard" SLC model, I would assume you could invest in the "689m Standard" if you wanted an average clone of every other SLC. But there are other custom models that can be made as well. Blue Tornado at Gardaland has an extra helix before the brakes and The Great Nor' Easter at Morey's Piers has a custom layout to fit within the space they had. So it is basically up to the client what they want in thier SLC.

[chemical_echo]

^^It could also probably be other parks looking at the first SLC and saying "Hey, that looks pretty good. We want one of those." Then instead of having to pay Vekoma to design a whole new layout, they buy one that's already been engineered. After a couple parks did it, it probably became the "standard"