BAFCO

Bafco Kiddie Rides Logo, as depicted on a leaflet from the 1990s

Founded by Jim Barry (a former RG Mitchell sales director) in 1980, BAFCO Kiddie Rides were originally based in Bourne, Lincolnshire but later moved to Alford.

Bafco were interlinked with Fox Fibreglass and Pattern Makers (manufacturers of full size racing cars).  The word Bafco was itself made up from three names, BArry, Fox and COllins, Mike Collins being another member of the team when Bafco was founded.

By 1981, they employed eight people.  The company exhibited their Space Shuttle ride at the New Orleans fair and got £40,000 worth of American orders.


The Bafco workshop, 1990s

Bafco were always specialists in the export market and their extensive range of attractive rides were very popular across the globe.  I know the company folded sometime in the early 21st century, but I haven't been able to find out much more about them unfortunately.

Bafco workshop interior, 1990s

Jim Barry himself retired in 1992 and sadly passed away in 2007, aged 80.

Ride Releases

1980 - Le Mans, Speedway
1981 - Bulldozer, Columbia Space Shuttle, Formula One, Grand Prix, Motorbike, Racer
1983 - Sky Rider
1987 - Veteran Car
1988 - Mini Train
1989 - Mini Helicopter
1993 - Magic Roundabout
Unknown - Astronaut, Bi-Plane, Breakdown Truck, Car/Dozer, Carousel, Crusader, Draakon, Fair Lady, Galactic Tracker, Helicopter, Hot Rod, Interceptor, Jet Car, Jungle Book, Korax, Libellulus, Mini Turbo Car, Noddy, Powerboat, Road Hawk, Sea Scooter, Submarine, Super Car, Teddy Turbo, Teenage Mutant Hero Turtles, The Train, Tractor, Train/Dozer, Twin Train, USA Fire Truck, Wild Life Rescue