This little confection came to us via Craigslist. Just about the time I started driving my 14.1 hand Morgan mare again, I got to thinking how I wished I had a lightweight four-wheeler for her. Beware what you wish for.
The carriage appeared around Memorial weekend and I was unsuccessful in my attempts to contact the owners. Then it disappeared. Good. Then it reappeared. And again I had trouble contacting the owners.
Until we were half packed to go on a two week vacation, and rain was coming down in buckets. Three hours later, protective tarp shredded by the wind in what was probably one of the stubbornest downpours I've ever witnessed, the little buggy was sheltered under a carport until after we got home from vacation...which was a few days ago.
The little creature has been stored in a concrete block garage for some 45 years. With the exception of horizontal shrinkage splits in the seat risers (one each side), there is virtually no significant body damage. The wheels all appear sound, except for one, but of course all require a "cut and shut" and new rubber tires. After this little photo shoot, the carriage was placed up on blocks, in anticipation of shipping the wheels off to a qualified wheelwright for necessary repairs.
I took this pic to emphasize the slight curvature of the body. It is not a trick of the camera. While I can't specifically identify the vehicle, I think the style of the body and the side spring suspension qualify it as a type of "Concord Wagon".
This seat panel appears to be made of fir, which is a surprise. That would suggest that it was made locally, as poplar probably wasn't too plentiful. The grain is very tight and should be fairly easy to fill.
The carriage weighs right about 300 pounds.
Dashboard will go to Woodlyn Coach Shop for re-covering. I'll do the upholstery.
New shafts are needed, as the originals have been heavily repaired. The left front wheel has lost its steel channel and is tied together to prevent disintegration.
Color wise, a protected area of the body suggests that the original body color was almost identical to the "Brewster Green" of its big sister, Vicky, the Swedish Viktoriatrilla. The gear was an extremely vibrant shade of red, running ever so slightly to orange. Body striping of a straw color, and black striping on the wheels. Nothing fancy except the pretty designs on the sides of the body.
The plan is to ship the wheels off to the wheelwright hopefully this week, and obtain a new set of shafts. Once those items are renewed and re-installed, I'd like to take it for a spin around the block, then commence to break it down for restoration. Owing to its lovely state of preservation, I hope the job will go fairly easily. These old vehicles always have surprises in store for the unwary!
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