Originally a Brake was used for ‘breaking’ or training teams of horses. It was a carriage with a skeleton frame and a heavy undercarriage, with hardly any body construction on top. The undercarriage was like that of a coach using a long pole (called a perch) to connect the front and back axles. Around the middle of the 19^th Century it became more common to put a wagonette body onto the break undercarriage. This was then called a body break and was used not only for training horses but also carrying up to sixteen passengers and luggage!

Built in the late 19^th century by Shanks of London, this Body Brake is constructed on a perch and was part of the 20^th Earl of Shrewsbury’s collection of road vehicles. It was used for carrying shooting parties, workers around the estate and on days out for servants.

Accession Number : 64.064.0009