INTRODUCTION TO PASSENGER VEHICLES

By the editor

The use and development of the passenger vehicle has been dependent upon roads. Passenger vehicles had been developed by the Romans travelling on roads covering several thousand kilometers across the Empire.

The end of the Empire, however saw a complete stagnation of road transport in favour of the packhorse until roads were, once again, improved and brought back into service. Until the metalled road became the norm, vehicluar traffic was restricted to rough tracks often subject to mud and adverse weather conditions.

Subsequently public and private transport became highly developed. Private individuals, like Lord Brougham and Stanhope, commissioned coachbuilders to design vehicles for them which soon became established and modified for mass use.

At all levels of Society vehicles were found to satisfy the needs of the age. The horse drawn Stage Coach, tram, omnibus, and cab provided efficient public transport. Two and four wheeled carriages provided private transport in both town and country.

The aim of the following sections, therefore, is to provide a general introduction to the wide range of vehicles which were in general use at different times in the past.