Coach

Ceremonial vehicle. The first coaches were used to demonstrate wealth and position of aristocracy at its highest level. The  body is suspended by leather straps or chains extended from a fixed assembly to the wheels axles.In the mid 17th century security and confort were improved. A change in the way the body was suspended occurred. The front wheels are now connected through a system called the "swan's neck". The connection of the body has suspension springs and the front part is dominated by the coachman's seat and its respective footrest and also by the so-called fifth wheel. This is a mechanism comprising two overlapping, circular pieces that increase the manoeuvring abiklity of the coach. It was used between the 15th and 18th centuries.

Clarence

An enlarged version of the brougham, having a semicircular or extended front glass and two seats inside for the accomodation of four passengers.

Chariot

English term for the french coupé. The chariot had usually a coachman´s seat with hammercloth and was attended by footmen.

Crane-neck

Curved iron on the fore part of the perch to allow the fore-wheels to turn or lock under. There where also perches with necks on the fore and hind part (so-called "double-bowed cranes").

C-spring

A curved spring of C-shape, made up of several overlapping plates or leaves. They where introduced in the late 18th century (shortly after the S-Spring) and replaced the primitive wodden pillar attached to the axle, from which braces extended to the coach body.

Chaise

This kind of vehicle, with two seats, "coupé type" emerged in the 17th Century in Germany. Its suspension is similar to that of the Berlin. It was driven by the occupant or by a postillion.

The use of this type of vehicle became popular and lost its exclusivity with the aristocracy. They became rental vehicles both inside and outside the cities.

Coupé

A two-seat carriage. The front part of the body is cut off in such manner, that the front door pillar becomes the front corner pillar. There are many different types of coupés, like the berline-coupé ("berlingot"), the carosse-coupé or the landau-coupé ("landaulet").

Carousel Carriage

"Carousels" were an important part of court life in the 18th and 19th centuries: The ladies and gentlemen of the court danced a quadrille with horse and carriage and engaged in a contest of skill.  The carousel carriage corresponds closely to the victory carriages (‘trionfi’) often depicted in engravings of theatrical scenes from the 17th century. It is usually a four-wheel open carriage with one seat for the passenger and one for the driver.

Carosse

The carosse (state coach) is a four wheel enclosed carriage, much in use in the 17th century. The front and hind axles are connected by one single perch. There are wooden pillars attached to the axles, from which braces extend to the coach body (which is sometimes equipped with elbow-springs). After 1700 the carosse was more and more displaced by the lighter berlin, but it was still built and used by european courts as high-class ceremonial vehicle.

Churrião

The Churrião or Carro de canudo was a rural vehicle very popular in the South of Portugal. It has only two wheels of a large diameter, intended for being driven in the countryside and muddy grounds. It was prepared for heavy load transportation but maintained some mobility. The shaft is linked to the yoke, a whole piece of wood with an arch on each side to harness the mules that pulled the vehicle. It has a canvas round shaped roof imitating wood. Some of this vehicles were skilfully decorated with non-expensive fabrics.

Carro de canudo

The Churrião or Carro de canudo was a rural vehicle very popular in the South of Portugal. It has only two wheels of a large diameter, intended for being driven in the countryside and muddy grounds. It was prepared for heavy load transportation but maintained some mobility. The shaft is linked to the yoke, a whole piece of wood with an arch on each side to harness the mules that pulled the vehicle. It has a canvas round shaped roof imitating wood. Some of this vehicles were skilfully decorated with non-expensive fabrics.

Calash

"Calèche", "Kalesche", "Calash" (from french & english.: "chalice") describes various types of vehicles, usually with a body in the shape of a chalice. In 1771 Roubo calls a light open four-wheel carriage with umbrella-top "calèche". In the 19th century the term is often used for  vehicles similar to the barouche or to the victoria. Their four-seater body has usually a folding top on the back.

Char-à-bancs

It has its origin in France in the beginning of the 19th Century and in a certain way it had the some purpose as the break, it was intended for the transportation of several people in the countryside. it was used as a promenade or hunting vehicle, to transport the guests who did not ride.

It is a long vehicle with an open body, several seats and side entries.

Calèche

"Calèche", "Kalesche", "Calash" (from french & english.: "chalice") describes various types of vehicles, usually with a body in the shape of a chalice. In 1771 Roubo calls a light open four-wheel carriage with umbrella-top "calèche". In the 19th century the term is often used for  vehicles similar to the barouche or to the victoria. Their four-seater body has usually a folding top on the back.

Carousel Sleigh

From the 17th century sleigh-rides, so-called 'sleighing days', were among the most popular winter entertainments of the European Courts. The rouling family and select members of the nobility rode out in a long procession from the residence to the most important places in the city. The gentleman who drove the carousel sleigh sat on a platform attached to the rear of the body, while the lady sat in the sleigh itself.

Cabriolet

It is a promenade vehicle of Italian origin that reached its peak of glory in the 18th Century. It was used by the Royal Family in their properties of Queluz, Mafra or Lisbon, being very attractive for young princes and princesses.

It is an open body vehicle for two passengers. The body closes in the front by means of a leather panel serving as a door. It has a rear seat for a groom and it was driven by a postillion for safety reasons.

Coach-Coupé

A two-seat version of the carosse (state coach). The front part of the body is cut off in such manner, that the front door pillar becomes the front corner pillar.

Carosse-Coupé

A two-seat version of the carosse (state coach). The front part of the body is cut off in such manner, that the front door pillar becomes the front corner pillar.

Country cart

The Churrião or Carro de canudo was a rural vehicle very popular in the South of Portugal. It has only two wheels of a large diameter, intended for being driven in the countryside and muddy grounds. It was prepared for heavy load transportation but maintained some mobility. The shaft is linked to the yoke, a whole piece of wood with an arch on each side to harness the mules that pulled the vehicle. It has a canvas round shaped roof imitating wood. Some of this vehicles were skilfully decorated with non-expensive fabrics.