Carters Steam Fair ride collection sale 

Over 70 years of fairground history preserved for all to enjoy: 1895 – 1965. 

Carters Steam Fair is a unique piece of British social history featuring a curated collection of beautifully restored vintage fairground rides from the 1890s to the 1960s.

Originally founded by John and Anna Carter in 1977, today the business is directed by their son Joby and his wife Georgina. For over 40 years the rides were toured around the South of England and became the world’s largest travelling vintage funfair.

The collection was created by the Carters family and team who preserved and rescued fairground rides that would otherwise have found their way into scrap yards. Although described as a ‘steam fair’, there are only two rides in the collection that are powered by coal fed steam engines (and one of these can be run on a three-phase motor). All of the other rides are powered by electricity. They have restored the attractions using authentic heritage skills such as signwriting and gilding.

In 2022, Joby Carter announced the final tour and sale of the ride collection. After a lifetime of touring the fair it was time for Joby to pursue other creative projects including writing his second book and continuing his successful traditional signwriting courses.

Plans were considered to find a permanent home for the full collection but the simplest way to continue the legacy of these vintage rides is to allow the rides to be bought individually.

Joby Carter is accepting offers on the individual rides and vintage vehicles listed in the brochure below.

Information for buyers

Carters Steam FAir souvenirs