Regency Travel: The Town Chariot


Plate No I represents a Town Chariot generally esteemed above all others as a dress or court carriage when
highly ornamented though commonly used for other purposes This carriage is by the French called a Coupรฉ being in fact a coach cut down a portion of the fore end being cut away and only one seat left The effect is pleasing the lines of the fore end falling into each other in graceful curves and the reduced portion above affording space for the lamp without interfering with the outline In all other respects the carriage resembles the Town Coach before described and is capable of the same alterations for the purpose of travelling when it becomes a Post Chaise In this drawing the skilful observer will discover several defects The front under spring is too low down and the distance is too great between the upper and lower curves The front C spring does not rise gracefully from its bedding The front body loop is not delicately tapered and is badly set on to the body The hind body loop is defective also and the bottom of the Salisbury boot has no defined line The bottom curve of the body is also unequal English Pleasure Carriages (1837)

And here is what the critics said about Adams

The Town Chariot, or Coupe, would have had two seats in the interior and one on the outside for the driver.

Here is a picture of one from the late 19th century: https://www.britannica.com/technology/coupe-carriage

For more on Regency conveyances: Regency Fashion: Carriages, Coaches and the Baroucheย 


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