Classycanopies

I'm showing you, on the next few pages,  a veritable feast of coachbuilt prams!   I'm sure there are a great many women, and men,  like myself who look back on our childhood with affection when we remember the old coachbuilt prams which were around in the 40s, 50s and 60s.   I have added some photographs of some of the prams I have in my photo-collection, those which I particularly like, and also there is an album of some my own collection.

I have loved strap-hung coachbuilt prams since I could walk.   Whenever I've seen them in the street, or in shop windows I would gaze adoringly at the lovely way they move, the way the body rocks on the straps, the way they move so elegantly, and longed to be able to push one myself.  I was an only child and was never old enough to take our neighbour's children out in their prams so I had to stand and look at them, parked outside the door or in the garden, wishing I could touch them and rock them.   I know that a lot of you ladies out there will know those feelings exactly.

This is an old 1950s SilverCross Ambassador, very well preserved!

I always wanted a dolls pram which would rock on leather straps - nothing, but nothing else would do.  I never did get that pram even though I explained many times what it was I wanted - nothing else, just the pram.  We lived near Chester and my mother used to take me shopping and she would leave me in Browns of Chester, where there was a large Nursery Department with, you've guessed it, lots of lovely big prams.   I would make my way along the two rows of large, mainly black prams, gently rocking them, much to the consternation of the sales ladies but I think they must have recognised me eventually.

My mother promised me that, when I had a baby of my own she would buy the pram I wanted and, true to her word, she did.   It turned out to be the navy blue SilverCross Super Harewood, identical to the one in the album.

1960s SilverCross Super Harewood - my first proper pram!

Because I grew up in the 50s and 60s my favourite prams are the deep bodied old Wilsons and Silvercross with the really big 24 inch wheels and swan neck curved handles.   You will find a few in my album, but not all of them are in a fit state to be photographed, some are in pieces in my loft and some are just in need of renovating.  I know I will get around to it one day, I have all the inspiration I need, just not enough time.

I have given links to other websites containing coachbuilt prams, you will find lots of lovely examples, plus great photos.   If you need any questions answering there are lots of prammy people around who will know the answers or will know someone who will.