We’re happy to be able to report a piece of good news from good ol’ Coney Island, which is reeling from a series of deaths, demolitions, and evictions. The good news is Eldorado Auto Skooters, Coney’s famed disco palace of bumper cars, will reopen in 2011. It’ll be “Bump, Bump, Bump your Ass Off” at 1216 Surf Avenue in memory of the Eldorado’s heart and soul, Scott Fitlin, who died in October.
ATZ received a personal note from Sheila and Sandy Fitlin, the owners of the Eldorado Bumper Cars, to thank us for ATZ’s eulogy to their son. We can’t tell you how happy we were to read the words: “Stop by to see us at the Eldorado this summer.” The Coney Island Rumor Mill had been speculating whether or not the Eldorado would reopen. Some were worried that the building, which is owned by the Fitlin family, would be sold.
We were amazed and moved by the response to “Rest in Peace: Scott Fitlin, Coney’s Eldorado Man” (ATZ, October 13, 2010). Our eulogy was read by thousands of people from all over the world! As Sandy Fitlin writes, “Tricia, Scott had friends he probably didn’t know cared for him so much.” We think Scott would have been surprised by the many remembrances and condolences posted on ATZ and the audio discussion forums Audio Heritage and Wave Music, among others. Scott’s friends will want to stop by the Eldorado this summer to hear the legendary sound system and “Turn that Wheel!”
Eldorado Marquee at Night, Surf Avenue in Coney Island. September 5, 2009. Photo © Tricia Vita/me-myself-i via flickr
Related posts on ATZ…
March 30, 2012: 60 Years of Family History in Coney Island End with Sale of Eldorado
October 17, 2010: Photo Album: Oct 15 Tribute in Sound & Light to Scott Fitlin
October 13, 2010: Rest in Peace: Scott Fitlin, Coney Island’s Eldorado Man
March 14, 2010: Eldorado Auto Skooter: Coney Island’s Disco Palace of Bumper Cars
Amusing the Zillion 
I am so glad to read this. I cannot imagine the new Coney Island without the El Dorado.
Me too. I received the good news the day before the terrible news of the eviction of the Boardwalk businesses, It has been such a brutal two weeks that I diidn’t get to post it until now.
Let’s go for a ride in Scotty’s memory on opening day!
They were not always Eldorado but bumper cars were always great fun. Too bad Carvel Ice cream is gone.