A non-profit organisation dedicated to preserving the history of the roller coaster is fundraising to save four historic coaster cars from across North America.
The capital campaign has been launched by the National Roller Coaster Museum and Archives, the world’s largest collection of historic amusement ride vehicles and memorabilia.
The group hopes to preserve a car from Intamin coaster Kingda Ka, which was demolished earlier this year at Six Flags Great Adventure.
Opened as the tallest and fastest coaster in the world, Kingda Ka was retired by Six Flags in late 2024.
The organisation also hopes to save a car from Vekoma coaster Nighthawk, which offered 2,766 feet of track and speeds of up to 51 mph at Carowinds.
Additionally, it aims to preserve a car from La Vibora, the last Intamin-designed Swiss Bob roller coaster in operation. The ride was moved to Six Flags Over Texas in 1986.
Coasters retired after Six Flags/Cedar Fair merger
Finally, the group plans to save a car from Time Warp at Canada’s Wonderland, one of a handful of Zamperla-built Volare coasters.
“Without the tireless work of the museum’s volunteers, who have been working to preserve these attractions for over six months, there is a good chance they would be lost forever,” said Jeff Novotny, president of the National Roller Coaster Museum and Archives.
“By directly involving park and ride fans, we can now all work together to preserve the historic legacies that each of these vehicles represent.”
Fans of the historic coasters can contribute towards the shipping costs by clicking here.
Kingda Ka, Nighthawk, La Vibora and Time Warp have all been retired following last year’s merger between Six Flags and Cedar Fair.
The new Six Flags Entertainment Corporation plans to invest more than $1 billion over the next two years across its network of 42 theme parks.
Images courtesy of the National Roller Coaster Museum and Archives
