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Car Hop

gameactive7 mentionsFirst seen Oct 30, 2019Last seen Jan 29, 2026

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Car Hop is a classic Gottlieb pinball machine from 1991, designed by John Norris with approximately 1,060 units produced. The game features a 1950s theme and has become a tournament favorite, particularly in Classics qualifying events where its spinner and lane feed mechanics create exploitable strategic opportunities. Car Hop has been featured in major championship tournaments including IFPA 19 finals, though its catch-up mode and potential left spinner mechanics have generated community debate regarding competitive balance.

Aliases

No aliases

Relationships

  • manufacturesGottliebCar Hop is a Gottlieb classic pinball machinemedium
  • designedJohn NorrisJohn Norris designed Car Hop (1991)medium
  • appears_inJosh SharpJosh Sharp competed against Ryan Wanger on Car Hopmedium
  • affiliated_withWorld Challenge SoccerCar Hop's layout was later reused for World Challenge Soccermedium

Facts

No facts recorded

Claims

No claims

Recent Mentions (7)

  • Original codename for Barry's Barbecue Challenge; could not be released under this name due to existing game with same title

    American Pinball Update - 2024Feb 7, 2025
  • Gottlieb classic game in Classics Tournament lineup; notably slowed tournament play due to game complexity

    PINBALL EXPO 2019 - SUNDAYOct 30, 2019
  • Fifth street-level table (Jan 1991); designed by Jon Norris; 1,061 units sold; 1950s theme; layout later reused for World Challenge Soccer.

    Street Cred: Reviewing Every Gottlieb "Street-Level" Pinball TableJul 25, 2025
  • Gottlieb System 3 game (1991); designed by John Norris; 1,060 units produced; tournament player favorite; positive community reception

    Gottlieb System 3 - The Future is the PastJan 29, 2026
  • Featured championship game at IFPA 19 finals; Zach McCarthy achieved 100 million+ scores; discussed as potential left spinner removal candidate in future play

    American Pinball Live Stream #10 Galactic Tank Force Signature LivestreamJun 27, 2024
  • Gottlieb classic pinball machine; featured in Classics qualifying with exploitable spinner/lane feed meta; catch-up mode was controversial and led to game elimination from tournament

Contradictions

  • Existing: Designed by John NorrisvsConflicting: Designed by Jon Norris
    Unresolved
  • Existing: 1,060 units producedvsConflicting: 1,061 units sold
    Resolved
    kept_existing · Mar 2, 2026

Related Glossary Terms

No linked glossary terms

Triple Drain Pinball Podcast Ep 29.5: INDISC 2023 RecapJan 21, 2023
  • Gottlieb classic pinball game; non-classic game popular in tournament selections; featured in Chicago Expo Classics event; Ryan Wanger beat Josh Sharp on this game

    Episode 234: Ryan Wanger on fire!Nov 27, 2019