Bringing History To Life With Vintage Carriage Restoration

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.

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.

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.

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