Buckboard

A buckboard is a four-wheeled wagon of simple construction meant to be drawn by a horse or other large animal. The "buckboard" is the front-most board on the wagon that could act as both a footrest for the driver and protection for the driver from the horse's rear hooves in case of a "buck". The buckboard is steered by its front wheels, which are connected by a single axle. The front and rear axle are connected by a platform of one or more boards to which the front axle is connected on a pivoting joint at its midpoint. A buckboard wagon often carries a seat for a driver. Such a seat may be supported by springs. The main platform between axles is not suspended by springs like a carriage. Made in the 18th century around the same time as carriages.

The buckboard was invented by Rev. Cyrus Comstock, a traveling preacher living in Lewis, Essex County, New York who established many churches in the surrounding area during the early 1800s. Originally designed for personal transportation in the Adirondack Mountains, these distinctively American vehicles were widely used in newly settled regions of the United States.

Some Cyclecars e.g. the Smith Flyer were also referred to as 'Buckboard Cars'.

In the early 20th century as horse-drawn vehicles were supplanted by the motor car, the term 'buckboard' was also used in reference to a passenger car (usually a 'tourer') from which the rear body had been removed and replaced with a load-carrying bed. These home-built dual purpose passenger- and load-carrying vehicles were the precursors of the factory-built 'utility' or 'pickup truck'

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