Stage Coach

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The Stagecoach dates back to the 1860's and belonged to Mr. John Hoyt. John Hoyt was a Stamford resident who started his career as a cabinetmaker. He eventually got into importing coal into Stamford and his ship would deliver the goods via the canal which used to run through the town of Stamford. Mr. Hoyt was a big influence in the production of the railroad, from New York to New Haven by contributing to the construction of bridges, road and track. He also provided coal for the trains while the first track was being laid down in preparation for the second track. The coach seems to have been without a home for at least 50 years.

One day, I received a call from Brian O'Neal, who told me about the coach and and said that it was destined for the junkyard. I decided to look at it and give my opinion. When I saw the coach with the wheels removed, I realized that it was in very good condition and that most of the original paint and construction could be saved.

The front of the carriage has 2 curved glass panes; it has a convertible top, and ivory handles. When the doors open, the step folds down. The upholstery is button tucked. I realized then that I would love to restore it. The restoration was very conservative. Most of the paint on it now is original and was restored. The coach was completed the second week of November and was displayed in a parade in Stamford, CT.

The following photos depict the restoration of the coach from start to completion.

View of left side.	View of left side.	View of back of top.	View with top down.
View with door open.	View of front with windshield.	View with top down & door open.	View of right side with top down.
View of paint loss by windshield.	View of paint loss by foot rest.	View of door and initials.	View of initials.
View of door open.	Original wheel detail.	Stripping Wheels.	Stripped Wheels
Wheel Painting	Wheel painted black.	Mark Pinstripping.	Filler in Cracked front
Padro Touches up	Repair to crack on the front top	Repairing a crack	Repairs to the roof
Window Caps	Splits on foor repaired	Clamps on top of the coach	Repairing window ledge
Window Support Prepared	Window support restored	Tack edge on top	Front section ready for upholstery
Metal sand-blasted	Metal parts primed	Front chassie sandblasted	Jeff Sands the front chassie
Jeff Sandpapers	Body completed side	Completed back	Completed side area
The body restored	Door and linkage	Door Open Step down	Linkage and step
Repairing window frames	Step down and linkage	Close up of repair	Step And Linkage
Window frame clamped	Original webbing on back webbing	Window and webbing close	Replaced Webbing
Re-Webbed Corner Edge	Top prepared for upholstery	Front section gets canvas	Canvas is tacked to the roof
Muslin tacked to shape	Muslin pulled over back	Muslim tacked around the back	Muslim tacked around driver door
Muslim tacked around door	The muslim completed	Attempt to Save leather	Leather repaired
A decision on the leather	Leather prepared for upholstery	Leather is tacked to the front roof	Close up of front tack edge
Excess leather is trimmed off	Front roof restored	Restoration of show wood edge	Metal Band Attached to top
Metal Band Attached	The leather is put into position	Wedging the leather	The leather is tacked
Holes cut into leather	Hinge support holes	Converted roof prepared for restoration	Another view of the back
Rear view of leather top	Adjusting the leather	Another view of the leather	Roof suported by webbing
Roofs pulled together	The spacer attached	Roof Seperators	Hinge and spacer attached
A Rainy Day