Bumper cars – Thomas Wendler
Fiala L22 new build with LED show and premiere 2023
Operator: Thomas Wendler / Schaustellerfamilie Wendler · since 2023
0 fansAutoscooter Wendler is the modern Fiala-L22-Halle operated by the showman family headed by Thomas Wendler. The ride made its debut in 2023 at Steinert-Kirmes in Lüdenscheid, replacing an older bumper car ride owned by the family. Its striking LED lighting accompanies the classic ride in self-driven cars. Since then, the ride has regularly been part of the line-up at fairs in Westphalia and the Bergisches Land.
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What to expect
- Light show / LED facade
- Covered / weatherproof
- Family-friendly
Highlights & records
Elaborate LED lighting; new build premiered and was blessed at the Steinert funfair 2023. 2026 the bumper cars in Lüdenscheid were also used for an ecumenical church service.
The Wendler family has been travelling with a new Fiala L22 bumper car ride since 2023. Its modern LED design makes this classic ride a highlight at fairs in Westphalia.
The modern look of the Fiala ride hall
The LED design is the particularly striking feature of this new ride. It defines the front and interior of the bumper car hall, making it a highlight, especially in the evening. The design combines the traditional meeting place of bumper cars with the appearance of a modern ride. At the Steinert funfair, the organisers specifically highlight the ride as one of the modern bumper car attractions.
What it’s like to ride the Wendler bumper cars
In the Wendler bumper cars, you take the wheel yourself. Unlike a ride that follows a fixed route, your journey depends on your own decisions. You steer towards a clear space on the track, change direction or react to another car. Because every driver is doing the same, the action looks different after every change of direction. This makes it a shared experience at the funfair, especially when you visit with friends, with everyone actively involved.
The covered hall is also easy to watch from outside. As the cars move around, the lighting and music shape the atmosphere. The modern lighting design comes into its own in the evening and makes the bumper cars stand out among the other attractions.
General
- Manufacturer
- Fiala (Czech Republic)
- Model
- Fiala L22 – bumper cars
- Year built
- 2023
- Premiere
- 2023
- Also known as
- Wendler bumper cars; Wendler bumper cars; bumper cars – Wendler
History: premiere and blessing in Lüdenscheid
The current bumper car ride was newly built in 2023. It was made by Fiala, and the model is called L22. Its public premiere took place at the Steinert funfair in Lüdenscheid. The new ride was also blessed there on the opening Friday. The combination of a newly built ride and a traditional ceremony made the launch a special occasion for the family.
The showman business previously travelled with a different ride hall. The previous ride was a Mack eight-pillar bumper car hall from 1970, which had earlier passed to the Wendler family via operators Mennecke and Fuhrmann. This older ride was replaced by the new build at the beginning of 2023. The two rides therefore have different histories and should not be confused when comparing historical photos.
Timeline
New Fiala L22 ride for the Wendler showman family. Premiered and blessed at the Steinert funfair in Lüdenscheid in 2023. Replaced the earlier separate Mack eight-pillar hall, built in 1970, which had previously passed to the Wendler family via Mennecke and Fuhrmann and was put into storage at the beginning of 2023. 2026 documented, among other places, at the Steinert funfair and the Bürener Oktobermarkt.
- Operator
- Thomas Wendler / Wendler showman family
- With operator since
- 2023
- Type of operation
- Travelling
- Status
- Active / in operation
Operator Thomas Wendler and the region
The Wendler family has been associated with fairs in the region for many years. The new bumper car ride has appeared at the Steinert funfair in Lüdenscheid and the funfair in Niederfischbach. Appearances in Unna, Kamen and Büren have also been documented. The city of Büren specifically identifies Thomas Wendler as the operator and reported in October 2026 on a fundraising campaign by his ride in aid of an animal sanctuary.
The hall also has another role at the Steinert funfair. In June 2026, an ecumenical bumper car church service was held there for the fourth time. The joint event on and around the bumper car ride shows that, at times, it is more than just a track for visitors.
Who is the Wendler bumper car ride for?
If you want to shape the ride yourself, this is the place for you. It is especially fun for groups of friends to steer across the ride area at the same time and react to one another. The team at the entrance will tell you the current rules for children and whether they need to be accompanied. Find other ride halls and their different histories in our attractions overview.
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