Coach Built On Display Now
When the automobile erupted into the public eye as the “horseless carriage” it was not immediately clear whether this was a technological fad or the way of the future. As technology advanced and the permanence of the automobile became cemented, it was clear that the profession of hand-built horse-drawn coaches, or carriages, would have to adapt with the changing times. Early automobiles remained entirely hand built using wood, metal, and fabric to craft the body of the car. However, mass production and assembly lines put an end to much of these labor-intensive artistic practices. Despite this, there is still a demand for coach-built cars, especially for bespoke low production, short run, or luxury cars.
Coachbuilders make their profession by designing and building bodies for vehicles, in some cases these can be large coachbuilding firms such as Pininfarina who have designed bodies for automotive giants like Fiat and Ferrari, they can also be small shops or even individuals that build bodies by hand. Because of this, each car is unique. Coach built cars often lack symmetry and have imperfections throughout the body, a testament to the hand-built nature of it. Every country has their own way of building cars, French coachbuilders have a very different way of folding and shaping metal than English builders do, even within the same country different coachbuilders have their own quirks and tricks for building bodies. Every builder dedicates time and effort to every car panel they work on, making coach building a true art form. Coach building has come a long way since the late 19th and early 20th century and while it may not be as prevalent as it once was, it continues through dedicated builders and artists.