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.
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.
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.
To restore a vintage horse-drawn vehicle, a person has to know how to work with iron, wood, leather, paint, and upholstery. Most restorers do the whole job, although some specialize, of course. Removing rust from metal, making sure moving parts are freed up and lubricated, knowing how to adjust brakes and make wheels strong again is all part of returning things to their original condition.
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.
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.
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.
To restore a vintage horse-drawn vehicle, a person has to know how to work with iron, wood, leather, paint, and upholstery. Most restorers do the whole job, although some specialize, of course. Removing rust from metal, making sure moving parts are freed up and lubricated, knowing how to adjust brakes and make wheels strong again is all part of returning things to their original condition.
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.
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.
No comments:
Post a Comment