So What’s New?

Well quite a bit I guess. There is a lot of energy developing in little ol’ Columbus on a number of fronts. First is the renewing interest in the historic downtown. Like many small towns the heart of Columbus has been battered and bruised. Many people including ourselves have committed ourselves to the preservation and redevelopment of the downtown. The City as a whole along with City Government and the CDA appear to be on the cusp of a substantial downtown redevelopment project that would be a big step in the right direction. That is really exciting.



Carriages and driving are another big topic in Columbus. Over the years the Columbus Carriage Classic has been a signature carriage event for our community. Since that time a winter sleigh rally has been developed and coming on Memorial Day weekend a carriage driving clinic. Numerous clinics will be hosted at the newly formed Midwest Equestrian Center in Columbus. You can find more information at www.midwestequestriancenter.com.



There are some new arrivals here as well. The very top photo is a replica of a Brewster Dos a Dos Phaeton built by Frey Carriage Company. It was shown successfully for one season and is now a trade on another new vehicle. It’s in like new condition and sells complete with shafts and lamps for $7,995. The photo above is an Extension Top Surrey in recently restored condition. It is a very solid carriage, looks beautiful and is all ready to drive. It sells complete with pole, shafts and lamps for $2,995.



This Spider Phaeton is as beautiful a vehicle of it’s type that I have seen. It epitomizes the elegance and beauty of a traditional Spider Phaeton. It was built by Flandrau & Company of New York, NY. It is wearing an older restoration that could be turned out or also could be a good candidate for complete restoration. The lamps are modern reproduction. It sells complete with shafts, splinter bar, no pole but includes the lamps at $27,500.



Here we have a very nice original Extension Top Surrey. It is rock solid with beautiful original leather upholstery in excellent condition. It could use a new top as you can see but that is something that the professionals at Frey carriage Company can restore. The dash and fenders are all original. A nice carriage with shafts and original electric lamps for $1,795.



And lastly this very early and rare single horse Chaise. Perfectly restored with full leather top and upholstery. Body slung on leather. This rare carriage would make for an excellent investment for your carriage collection. It sells complete as shown for $13,995.



One more interesting Columbus tidbit. I am just fascinated by the Badger Motor Car Company. This business was formed late in 1909 and folded by the end of 1912. In those three years it set out to manufacture automobiles and that they did. Unfortunately they could not survive the long haul but the short history of the company is a who’s who of local Columbus lore. In celebration of the 100th Anniversary of the production of their first vehicle I have developed a commemorative logo that we are using on T shirts and other clothing items. We will have these items available at the showroom along with a growing history of the Badger Motor Car Company.

Have a great Thursday!

Ciao!
T