Eric Gray needs your help. He is currently seeking donations to help preserve a small but important piece of Long Beach history: an original car from the Pike’s legendary roller coaster, the Cyclone Racer.
Gray is a downtown resident who has worked tirelessly to improve the quality of life for people living in the area. He’s been a leader with the Downtown Residential Council, and was one of many community supporters of the Downtown Plan.
In partnership with Marshall Pumphrey, who currently runs the Long Beach Heritage Museum, and Mike Cincola, who runs the Pike Museum at Looff’s Lite-A-Line, Gray approached the current owners of The Pike, seeking a home for the car.
“The Pike was a place that people from all over would come to,” Gray said, “and I feel it is important for the new Pike to embrace the past of the Original Pike. We wanted to see how we could create a win-win-win situation for not only the Pike, but also the Long Beach Heritage Museum, and the scores of residents and tourists who would like to see history be remembered and showcased at the Pike.”
Negotiations began slowly but, as the discussions evolved, the owners of the Pike warmed to the idea.
“When we showed them the physical roller coaster car, housed and restored by the owner of Looffs Lite-A-Line, Mike Cincola, they were impressed and on board. Mike Cincola understands the need for the Pike to be recognized better by the Long Beach Community. When the Pike was redeveloped, many in the community were not happy with the result. I personally think the Pike Management has made many positive changes since then, but more can be done. I’m trying to do what I can do, as a Long Beachian, to help make the Pike better and more well-liked.”
The car will be installed inside the entrance to KDB (Kitchen, Den, Bar). The installation is what requires additional funding.
“We have a specialized engineer who will disassemble, move, and then reassemble the roller coaster car and install it at this location. As far as the display design, those details are still being worked out, but we want to make sure it is showcased properly, and in a fun way.
“We want people to feel the spirit of the Old Pike at the New Pike. I think of Pier 39 in San Francisco, with the old Fortune Teller Machines and such. It is such a great attraction.
“All we need to do now is raise $1,000 for Long Beach Heritage to pay for the relocation and installation of the roller coaster car. We are also working on adding enlarged prints of the Old Pike into the Parking Garage. Not as big a project as the roller coaster car, but it is another addition to the spirit of the Pike.”
To support this effort, you can send a check to:
Long Beach Heritage Museum – Cyclone Racer Car Fund
5318 E. 2nd St 331, Long Beach Ca.90803
To learn more about the Long Beach Heritage Museum, visit LongBeachHeritageMuseum.org.
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