Coker Tire: Setting the Gold Standard in Classic Tire Manufacturing
Since 1958, Coker Tire Company has established itself as the undisputed leader in the classic tire industry. Founded by Harold Coker in Chattanooga, Tennessee, this family-owned business has grown into the world's largest manufacturer and supplier of collector vehicle tires, with an unrivaled catalog spanning everything from horseless carriage tires to modern classics. What began as a small regional tire dealer has evolved into a global authority on vintage tire reproduction, preserving automotive heritage through meticulous attention to historical accuracy and quality craftsmanship.
What truly distinguishes Coker Tire is their unique approach to manufacturing. Rather than simply creating look-alike products, Coker has acquired original molds, equipment, and even entire tire brands to ensure absolute authenticity in their reproductions. This commitment extends to securing licensing rights from major manufacturers, allowing them to produce tires with genuine brand markings and specifications identical to the originals. For the discerning collector, restorer, or enthusiast, this dedication to authenticity makes Coker the natural choice for vehicles from virtually any era of automotive history.
Early Automotive Tire Collection (1890s-1940s)
Coker's early automotive tire collection represents some of their most specialized offerings:
- Antique Vehicle Tires - Authentic reproductions for veteran and vintage automobiles, including correct beaded-edge (clincher) tires for pre-1925 vehicles and early straight-side designs. Available in rare sizes that would otherwise be impossible to find, these tires feature historically accurate tread patterns and sidewall styling.
- Firestone Vintage Series - Licensed reproductions of iconic Firestone tires from the 1920s and 1930s, featuring authentic Firestone branding, sidewall design, and tread patterns. Available in both original bias-ply construction and modernized radial versions.
- Classic Whitewall Collection - Period-correct whitewall tires with various band widths to match different eras, from the broad whites of early luxury cars to the more refined designs of the 1940s. Manufactured with premium materials that resist yellowing and maintain their pristine appearance.
- Military and Specialty Tires - Authentic reproductions of military vehicle tires from WWII-era jeeps, trucks, and support vehicles, featuring correct military markings and non-directional tread patterns.
Post-War Classic Tire Series (1950s-1960s)
Coker's post-war collection captures the distinctive styling of the American automotive golden age:
- BF Goodrich Silvertown Whitewalls - Licensed reproductions of the iconic BF Goodrich tires that defined 1950s American automotive styling. Available in correct sizes for everything from family sedans to prestigious luxury cars, featuring the distinctive sidewall styling that characterized the era.
- Bias-Look Radials - Innovative tires that combine the appearance of vintage bias-ply designs with modern radial construction, offering improved handling, comfort, and longevity while maintaining authentic period aesthetics.
- American Classic Bias-Ply - Traditional bias-ply construction tires for purists and concours restorations, featuring historically accurate tread patterns and sidewall styling with improved materials for enhanced durability compared to vintage originals.
- Specialty Wide Whitewalls - Premium wide whitewall tires produced in otherwise unavailable sizes for custom and restoration projects, featuring period-correct styling with varying whitewall widths.
Muscle Car and Performance Tire Collection
Perhaps Coker's most celebrated offerings are their muscle car and performance tire reproductions:
- Firestone Wide Oval Reproductions - Authentic recreations of the revolutionary Firestone Wide Oval tires that transformed muscle car styling in the late 1960s. Available with the correct red line or white letter styling, these tires feature the distinctive "pie crust" shoulder design and authentic Firestone branding.
- BF Goodrich Radial T/A - Licensed reproductions of the iconic BF Goodrich Radial T/A tires that defined the muscle car look with their distinctive raised white letter styling. Available in original sizes and modern equivalents for enhanced performance applications.
- Goodyear Polyglas GT - Authentic recreations of the legendary Goodyear Polyglas GT tires that came standard on many of America's most desirable muscle cars. Complete with correct Goodyear branding and the distinctive "Polyglas" sidewall styling.
- Redline Radials - Modern radial construction tires featuring the iconic red stripe sidewall that defined the muscle car era. Available in sizes appropriate for both stock restorations and restomods with upgraded wheel diameters.
Racing Heritage Collection
Drawing on America's rich motorsport history, Coker offers specialized tires for competition classics:
- Dirt Track Racing Tires - Authentic reproductions of early dirt track racing tires, featuring period-correct tread patterns and sidewall designs from the golden age of American oval track racing.
- Drag Racing Slicks and Cheater Slicks - Vintage-style drag racing tires in both full slick and "cheater slick" designs, manufactured to authentic specifications for period-correct drag racing vehicles.
- Indianapolis Racing Tires - Specialized reproductions of historic Indianapolis 500 racing tires, featuring correct period styling and construction methods.
- Sports Car Racing Collection - Tires designed for vintage sports car racing applications, available in sizes appropriate for everything from 1950s European sports cars to early Trans-Am racers.
Manufacturing Excellence and Innovation
Beyond their unmatched catalog, Coker's manufacturing capabilities set new standards for the industry:
- Original Equipment Manufacturing - Unique in the industry, Coker operates their own tire manufacturing facilities, allowing complete control over quality and authenticity rather than relying on contracted production.
- Acquisition of Historic Brands - Coker has systematically acquired historic tire brands and manufacturing assets, including Firestone Vintage, Excelsior, and Phoenix, preserving these legacy brands for future generations.
- Licensed Manufacturing Agreements - Exclusive licensing agreements with major tire brands allow Coker to produce tires with authentic branding and markings that would otherwise be impossible to recreate legally.
- Advanced Materials Science - While maintaining historical accuracy in appearance, Coker incorporates modern materials science to improve longevity, safety, and performance compared to vintage originals.
Key Takeaways: Why Coker Tire Leads the Classic Tire Industry
- Unmatched Authenticity - Through acquisition of original molds, equipment, and brand rights, Coker produces the most authentic classic tire reproductions available anywhere.
- Comprehensive Catalog - With over 100 different tire brands and thousands of sizes, Coker offers solutions for virtually every collector vehicle from the 1890s to the 1980s.
- Vertical Integration - As both manufacturer and distributor, Coker maintains complete quality control throughout the production process, ensuring consistent excellence.
- Balance of Authenticity and Safety - While prioritizing historical accuracy, Coker incorporates modern materials and construction techniques to enhance safety and longevity.
- Industry Leadership - Beyond manufacturing, Coker's leadership actively supports the collector car hobby through event sponsorships, museum support, and advocacy for the industry.
For classic car enthusiasts seeking the perfect combination of historical authenticity and modern reliability, Coker Tire stands as the definitive source for premium vintage tire reproductions. Their unparalleled commitment to preserving automotive heritage through exacting standards has established them as the trusted choice for museums, prestigious collections, and discerning enthusiasts worldwide.
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Frequently Asked Questions
How authentic are Coker's tire reproductions compared to original vintage tires?
Coker Tire's reproductions achieve an unmatched level of authenticity through several key approaches. First, they've acquired many original tire molds and manufacturing equipment from historic manufacturers, allowing them to produce tires using genuine tooling. Second, they've secured exclusive licensing agreements with major brands like Firestone, BF Goodrich, and Goodyear, enabling them to reproduce tires with authentic branding and markings. Their research team meticulously studies original examples, period documentation, and factory specifications to ensure every detail is correct. While they incorporate modern materials for enhanced durability and safety, these improvements don't affect the external appearance. For judged events and museum restorations, Coker tires are widely accepted as the standard for historical accuracy in the industry.
What's the difference between Coker's bias-ply and radial tire offerings?
Coker offers both traditional bias-ply tires and radial tires to suit different collector vehicle needs. Their bias-ply tires feature authentic period construction with plies running at angles to the direction of travel, providing the distinctive ride quality and handling characteristics of vintage vehicles. These are ideal for concours-level restorations and vehicles where absolute historical accuracy is paramount. Their radial offerings, including their innovative "bias-look radials," maintain vintage appearances while incorporating modern radial construction with plies running perpendicular to the direction of travel. This provides significantly improved handling, tread life, comfort, and fuel economy. For vehicles driven regularly, Coker generally recommends their radial options, which deliver enhanced safety and performance while preserving period-correct aesthetics.
Does Coker manufacture tires for very rare or unusual classic vehicles?
Yes, addressing the needs of rare and unusual vehicles is one of Coker Tire's specialties. Their catalog includes many obscure sizes and styles that would otherwise be unavailable, from early clincher tires for brass-era automobiles to specialized sizes for limited-production luxury and sports cars. For extremely rare applications, Coker offers custom manufacturing services where they can reproduce tires based on original examples or specifications provided by the customer. Their engineering team can analyze wear patterns on original tires to recreate correct tread designs, and their manufacturing capabilities allow for small production runs that wouldn't be economically viable for larger tire manufacturers. This commitment to serving the entire collector vehicle community, regardless of rarity, has made Coker the go-to resource for museums and collectors of unusual or limited-production classic vehicles.
Are Coker tires DOT approved for street use?
Many, but not all, of Coker's tire offerings carry Department of Transportation (DOT) approval for street use in the United States. Their modern radial construction tires, including their American Classic Radials and Bias Look Radials, typically meet all current DOT standards. Some of their authentic bias-ply reproductions also carry DOT approval, though specific models designed primarily for show or limited use may not. Coker clearly indicates DOT compliance status in their product descriptions to help customers make appropriate selections. For vehicles that see regular road use, Coker recommends selecting from their DOT-approved options, which provide the best balance of authentic appearance and modern safety standards. It's worth noting that certain specialty tires, particularly those designed for racing applications or extremely vintage vehicles, may have intended uses that don't require DOT certification.
How do I determine the correct tire size and style for my classic vehicle?
Determining the correct tire specifications for a classic vehicle can be challenging due to changes in sizing systems and availability over the decades. Coker Tire provides several resources to assist customers. Their comprehensive tire size conversion charts help translate original equipment specifications into currently available options. Their website features an extensive vehicle lookup system that can provide correct tire recommendations based on make, model, and year. For unusual applications, Coker's technical support team offers personalized assistance, drawing on their extensive archives of factory specifications and period documentation. When original documentation isn't available, they can often recommend appropriate options based on wheel dimensions, vehicle weight, and period photographs. For concours-level restorations, Coker's experts can provide documentation supporting the historical correctness of their recommendations to satisfy even the most stringent judging requirements.