Old carriages are universally admired. Antique shops put them out front because they are instantly noticeable. Amish farmers and Mennonites still drive them for transportation, but people drive horses as a hobby. Anyone showing might want an authentic antique vehicle. In this case, they will have to become familiar with carriage restoration.
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.
A lot of important stuff is underneath the seating compartment. There are axles, wheels, hubs, springs, brakes, and all the things that hold them together. This is one reason that people use a professional restorer. Not too many know how all these parts function together for safety and comfort, so they choose to consult an expert.
Carriages are made with iron, wood, leather, and upholstery materials like corduroy and velvet. A good professional restorer can do the whole job, from removing rust replacing worn parts of the undercarriage to applying the final coat of lacquer to the body and the last button on the seat cushions. Some promise results of museum quality.
People who show often want an authentic, vintage vehicle. Every detail must be true to the period of original manufacture and in perfect condition to win a presentation class. Other drivers choose a reproduction, made of all new materials but in the old way, or a specially-designed modern vehicle. These require less care and may be sturdier for going down the road.
The matter is complicated, because there are many types of carriages, some more formal than others. Every detail must conform to the original style; for instance, plain upholstery for a sporting vehicle or velvet for a town vehicle. True devotees learn all about this sort of thing and are prone to critically examining each other's carriages. Judges also look for perfection in presentation classes, which are judged on the entire equipage including the polish on the grooms' boots.
Some people do restore their own carriages, but this is a very time consuming process and needs to be done just right to ensure safety. The safety factor makes many drivers choose a professional for restoration work. No one wants to have a wheel fall off (which they will do if the hub is put on backwards) or a brake fail. Fortunately, there are still many companies that do excellent work on vintage carriages. In addition, vintage carriages are an investment, like other antiques
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.
A lot of important stuff is underneath the seating compartment. There are axles, wheels, hubs, springs, brakes, and all the things that hold them together. This is one reason that people use a professional restorer. Not too many know how all these parts function together for safety and comfort, so they choose to consult an expert.
Carriages are made with iron, wood, leather, and upholstery materials like corduroy and velvet. A good professional restorer can do the whole job, from removing rust replacing worn parts of the undercarriage to applying the final coat of lacquer to the body and the last button on the seat cushions. Some promise results of museum quality.
People who show often want an authentic, vintage vehicle. Every detail must be true to the period of original manufacture and in perfect condition to win a presentation class. Other drivers choose a reproduction, made of all new materials but in the old way, or a specially-designed modern vehicle. These require less care and may be sturdier for going down the road.
The matter is complicated, because there are many types of carriages, some more formal than others. Every detail must conform to the original style; for instance, plain upholstery for a sporting vehicle or velvet for a town vehicle. True devotees learn all about this sort of thing and are prone to critically examining each other's carriages. Judges also look for perfection in presentation classes, which are judged on the entire equipage including the polish on the grooms' boots.
Some people do restore their own carriages, but this is a very time consuming process and needs to be done just right to ensure safety. The safety factor makes many drivers choose a professional for restoration work. No one wants to have a wheel fall off (which they will do if the hub is put on backwards) or a brake fail. Fortunately, there are still many companies that do excellent work on vintage carriages. In addition, vintage carriages are an investment, like other antiques
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