A craftsperson who builds or constructs the body (carriage part) of a coach or automobile, fitting and joining the wooden or metal framework.
From 'coach' (a vehicle) plus 'builder', a compound that became common in the 19th century when coach-making was a prestigious skilled trade.
Coachbuilders were like the sports car designers of the 1800s-1900s—they took bare chassis and created stunning custom carriages and early cars, and some luxury brands today still use the term 'coachbuilding' to describe their custom vehicle services!
Historically male-dominated craft. Carriage building was a prestigious male profession; the term codified masculine occupation identity.
Use 'coach builder' or 'coach-building professional' to denote the skill rather than gendered identity.
["coach builder","carriage builder","coach-building professional"]
Women were largely excluded from formal guild membership and apprenticeships in coachbuilding, though some operated as proprietors or inheritors of family workshops, particularly in 18th-19th century Europe.
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