Runabout (carriage)

A runabout is an American light, open, horse-drawn vehicle with four large wheels.[1] Similar to a buggy,[2] the runabout was used for informal, utilitarian travel or "running about" on errands. One type was also called a "driving wagon", made very light in order to be easily hitched by one person, and easily pulled over long distances by a single horse.[3]

A typical example was the light buggy used in the 1890s for daily duties by senior staff of the San Francisco Fire Department.[4] Runabouts could be either fancy or plain, but not encumbered with fenders, heavy tops or optional accessories that added weight.[3]

References

  1. ↑ Haajanen, Lennart W. (2003). Illustrated Dictionary of Automobile Body Styles. Illustrations by Bertil Nydén. Jefferson, NC USA: McFarland. p. 115. ISBN 0-7864-1276-3. LCCN 2002014546.
  2. ↑ Haajanen 2003, p. 115.
  3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 The Carriage Museum at Historic Washington, Kentucky. Accessed 17 April 2015
  4. ↑ "Museum Collections: Apparatus - 1892 Chief's Buggy". Guardians of the (San Francisco) City Museum and Memorial.

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