Der Selbstfahrer – Richard Müller

The wooden-post bumper car ride and what makes it special

The original structure dates from around 1950; according to the operator, it was probably a custom build. The track is therefore a manageable size, in keeping with the traditional design. The restoration placed historic cars at its heart. According to the operator's current information, the ride includes 18 original Ihle cars. When it was bought in 2009, there were initially 16 of these cars.

The wooden support system is what sets it apart from the widely used steel two-post bumper car rides. The historic hall shows how rides like these have changed over the decades. The towing vehicles and staff are also in keeping with the nostalgic concept. In addition, Der Selbstfahrer has been a historic attraction at the Oidn Wiesn in Munich since 2024.

A ride on Der Selbstfahrer by Richard Müller

You sit in one of the lovingly preserved cars and use the steering wheel to choose your direction. Other cars move around the shared track, and you can dodge them. Minor bumps are part of the classic bumper car experience. At the same time, you'll notice the different atmosphere: the ride is designed as a historic fairground attraction and plays music to match the look of the 1950s to 1970s.

The various old Ihle cars from Bruchsal are particularly striking. They also feature shapes and model names such as Corvette, Mercedes and Oldtimer. These vehicles are very different from modern bumper cars with futuristic bodywork. Together with the traditional design of the ticket booth, the hall posts and the team's clothing, they create a consistent nostalgic look.

The history of Der Selbstfahrer by Richard Müller

Richard Müller comes from an old showman family and has known wooden-post bumper car rides since childhood. When his parents sold their bumper car ride at the time in 1973, it was a formative experience for him. Many years later, in winter 2009, he came across another historic ride that had been put into storage. He visited the ride in Emsland with his friend Peter Buchholz and decided to buy it.

According to the ride database Ride-Index, this wooden-post bumper car ride previously belonged to the Hartwig operation from Papenburg. After buying it, Müller brought the dismantled parts to Essen. The restoration took place in spring 2010. Authentic railing sections from his family's former ride were also reused. The result was a travelling attraction that combines traditional funfair design with a renewed operation.

Who is Der Selbstfahrer by Richard Müller for?

If you like bumper cars and want to experience a piece of fairground history up close, this ride is particularly interesting. You can combine the classic self-drive experience with a look at vehicles and equipment from past decades. Children and adults should check the accompanying and participation conditions at the ride before taking part. You can find more historic rides in our ride overview.