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.
A carriage is different from a two-wheeled cart or a waggon, or even a buggy. Carriages have four wheels and are designed mainly to transport people, not freight. They are not usually enclosed, like a Doctor's buggy, nor do they have a top, like a surrey. They are smaller and lighter than a coach. People who advertise restoration services often will work on any of these vehicles.
Carriages and coaches are fancy as well as useful. Like automobiles today, they were both necessary and status symbols. Having one at all was a plus, but having a 'top of the line' one was luxury. Many features of the vehicles were for comfort, like leaf springs, or for safety, but others were 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.
Part of the fun is knowing all the different types of carriages and the different designs within classifications. Many driving enthusiasts are knowledgeable about period vehicles and can tell if a restoration has been done correctly. Judges look for authenticity in presentation classes. Anyone investing the time and money required to restore a vehicle should know exactly how everything should look when finished.
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.
A carriage is different from a two-wheeled cart or a waggon, or even a buggy. Carriages have four wheels and are designed mainly to transport people, not freight. They are not usually enclosed, like a Doctor's buggy, nor do they have a top, like a surrey. They are smaller and lighter than a coach. People who advertise restoration services often will work on any of these vehicles.
Carriages and coaches are fancy as well as useful. Like automobiles today, they were both necessary and status symbols. Having one at all was a plus, but having a 'top of the line' one was luxury. Many features of the vehicles were for comfort, like leaf springs, or for safety, but others were 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.
Part of the fun is knowing all the different types of carriages and the different designs within classifications. Many driving enthusiasts are knowledgeable about period vehicles and can tell if a restoration has been done correctly. Judges look for authenticity in presentation classes. Anyone investing the time and money required to restore a vehicle should know exactly how everything should look when finished.
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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