There's a lot of romance in an old horse-drawn buggy. They are often used nowadays as lawn decorations or advertisements for an antique shop. Some people still use them as a means of transportation, like the Amish and Mennonites. For others, driving a horse-drawn vehicle is a hobby. For this last group, carriage restoration is part of the appeal.
The term 'carriage' is more specific than many realize. A horse-drawn vehicle with four wheels and designed mainly for human transport is a carriage. Two wheels make it a cart. If it's designed for cargo, it's a waggon. Put a top on it and enclose the seat and it's called have a buggy or a surrey. Professional restorers will usually work on any kind of vehicle, fortunately.
People developed carriages as a more fashionable way to get around than in a farm cart or waggon. They were a necessity but quickly became a status symbol - like automobiles are today. People didn't need high-gloss lacquer and brass fittings to get from one place to another, but they wanted to go in style. Many parts of vintage carriages are for utility, comfort, and safety, but others are just for show.
Driving or restoring carriages requires an understanding of the undercarriage. The vehicle is supported by axles, wheels, hubs, and springs. It has brakes and mounting steps. Different styles of carriages have different undercarriages. Safety and comfort demand that all parts be sturdy and in perfect working order.
Restoration involves working with wood, iron, leather, upholstery, and paints. Many restoration experts can do it all, making it a one-stop process. All rust must be removed, even in the cracks, for improvement to last. Restoring the high-gloss lacquer to the body is an art. Upholstery has its own demands, from stuffing to covers. Many restored vehicles are fine enough to be displayed in a museum.
Many people who like to compete in driving shows prefer vintage carriages, rather than choosing reproductions or modern designs. Some modifications are generally accepted, such as rubber rims on wooden wheels rather than the original metal rims. Rubber runs more smoothly and quietly on pavement, although they don't stand up like metal to gravel. Most things, however, should remain authentic to the period of the vehicle.
There are many different types of carriage, and different designs within each classification. True aficionados learn all the terminology and try not to scorn those who use it wrongly. They are also able to tell if a restoration has been done well or poorly, or if some feature is not authentic to the period and type of vehicle. Judges look for authenticity in presentation classes.
People do restore their own horse-drawn vehicles, but it is a major 'labor of love', requiring a lot of research and hours upon hours of work. For this reason, as well as for safety, many choose to have this job done by a professional. After all, no one wants to be driving down the road and have a wheel fall off, a pin break, a brake fail, or a shaft or pole snap in two. (By the way, if the hub is screwed on backwards, which is easy to do, the wheel actually does fall off. A word to the wise.
The term 'carriage' is more specific than many realize. A horse-drawn vehicle with four wheels and designed mainly for human transport is a carriage. Two wheels make it a cart. If it's designed for cargo, it's a waggon. Put a top on it and enclose the seat and it's called have a buggy or a surrey. Professional restorers will usually work on any kind of vehicle, fortunately.
People developed carriages as a more fashionable way to get around than in a farm cart or waggon. They were a necessity but quickly became a status symbol - like automobiles are today. People didn't need high-gloss lacquer and brass fittings to get from one place to another, but they wanted to go in style. Many parts of vintage carriages are for utility, comfort, and safety, but others are just for show.
Driving or restoring carriages requires an understanding of the undercarriage. The vehicle is supported by axles, wheels, hubs, and springs. It has brakes and mounting steps. Different styles of carriages have different undercarriages. Safety and comfort demand that all parts be sturdy and in perfect working order.
Restoration involves working with wood, iron, leather, upholstery, and paints. Many restoration experts can do it all, making it a one-stop process. All rust must be removed, even in the cracks, for improvement to last. Restoring the high-gloss lacquer to the body is an art. Upholstery has its own demands, from stuffing to covers. Many restored vehicles are fine enough to be displayed in a museum.
Many people who like to compete in driving shows prefer vintage carriages, rather than choosing reproductions or modern designs. Some modifications are generally accepted, such as rubber rims on wooden wheels rather than the original metal rims. Rubber runs more smoothly and quietly on pavement, although they don't stand up like metal to gravel. Most things, however, should remain authentic to the period of the vehicle.
There are many different types of carriage, and different designs within each classification. True aficionados learn all the terminology and try not to scorn those who use it wrongly. They are also able to tell if a restoration has been done well or poorly, or if some feature is not authentic to the period and type of vehicle. Judges look for authenticity in presentation classes.
People do restore their own horse-drawn vehicles, but it is a major 'labor of love', requiring a lot of research and hours upon hours of work. For this reason, as well as for safety, many choose to have this job done by a professional. After all, no one wants to be driving down the road and have a wheel fall off, a pin break, a brake fail, or a shaft or pole snap in two. (By the way, if the hub is screwed on backwards, which is easy to do, the wheel actually does fall off. A word to the wise.
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