I little quickie blog today on a project that just walked out of the shop last week. Click on photos to enlarge. A long time client of ours came through about a year ago and spied a sorry little Houghton Sulky cart in the corner of the barn. It was old, ugly, had a broken shaft and if I recall a price tag of $500 - $600 bucks.
“This will be a great little everyday training cart” he said. Being a very experienced driver I sort of wondered what he saw in the sad little cart but who am I to question a customer.
So he buys the cart and takes it home. Six months go by and he calls. “Hey, I want you to restore the little Houghton Sulky.” I thought to myself “why?” But who am I to question a customer. So he brings it down and we get to work. One broken shaft. A bunch of broken slats in the floor. Wheels so worn out they wobble all over the place. It’s going to take a lot of work to make this look like something but who am I to question a customer.
We are getting the little cart into shape and we are wondering what color. “Yellow with a black stripe” he replies. Oh yea, that will be really sharp I thought to myself. So we are about ready to paint and he calls and says “I hope you didn’t paint my cart yet, I want it blue.” “You pick the stripe.” BLUE? Who am I to question a customer.
So we had a nice blue. Not too dark, not too light. Sort of an electric blue but can’t really call it that seeing this cart was built before electricity was in vogue. As it comes together we are looking at it going “You know this doesn’t look to bad so what color stripe?” We decide on vermillion and run with it. Well needless to say it looked incredible. Everyone at the Columbus Carriage Classic was drooling all over this cart. It was a huge hit. He loved it. We loved it. Lesson learned, never question a customer…
Have a great day.
Best!
Todd
Posts
2 comments:
I can see why there was drooling! The blue color lends it dignity and pulls it out of "Totally Cute."
Do you know how old it is? Is there any history behind this kind of cart or even this particular one? These questions may reveal my ignorance--but I'm willing to be cured.
Cara
It'a a Houghton Educating Cart. They made those for years as a show vehicle, although they weren't as popular as the wire wheel carts. It's basically a show cart with large wood wheels instead of the more common 30" wheels. It would surprise if it's more than 50 years old. Lovely job on the cart.
Post a Comment