When it comes to authentic reproduction whitewall tires, one name stands above all others in the industry: Coker Tire Company. For over six decades, Coker has set the standard for historically accurate, high-quality whitewall tires that satisfy the most discerning classic car enthusiasts, restoration professionals, and concours judges. Whether you're restoring a rare classic to exact factory specifications, enhancing a custom build with period styling, or simply adding timeless elegance to a beloved vintage vehicle, Coker offers the most comprehensive selection of whitewall tires available anywhere—backed by unmatched expertise and a passionate commitment to preserving automotive heritage.
The remarkable story of Coker Tire began in 1958 when Harold Coker, a passionate car enthusiast and entrepreneur, recognized a critical gap in the market: as vintage vehicles became collectible, the original tires they rode on were becoming increasingly scarce. Starting with a small inventory of NOS (New Old Stock) tires, Harold established what would become the world's foremost supplier of reproduction vintage tires.
What distinguished Coker from the beginning was their unwavering commitment to authenticity. Rather than merely approximating the appearance of original tires, they pursued exact reproduction through meticulous research, acquisition of original molds and manufacturing equipment, and development of period-correct rubber compounds that captured both the appearance and performance characteristics of vintage tires.
Under the leadership of Harold's son Corky Coker, the company expanded dramatically through the 1980s and 1990s, acquiring the rights to produce tires under iconic brand names like Firestone, BFGoodrich, and U.S. Royal. These acquisitions included not just brand licensing but often the original manufacturing equipment and technical documentation, allowing Coker to produce tires virtually indistinguishable from the originals that rolled off factory floors decades earlier.
Today, Coker Tire stands as the world's largest manufacturer and supplier of collector vehicle tires and wheels, with manufacturing facilities in the United States and an inventory that encompasses virtually every significant tire design from the early 1900s through the 1970s. Their whitewall offerings represent the pinnacle of this commitment to preserving automotive history—delivering period-correct aesthetics with the quality and reliability that today's collectors demand.
Coker approaches whitewall reproduction with extraordinary attention to historical detail:
Original Equipment Molds: Many Coker whitewalls are produced using actual original factory molds acquired from manufacturers like Firestone, U.S. Royal, and BFGoodrich, ensuring exact replication of tread patterns, sidewall profiles, and even the subtle manufacturing marks that characterized vintage tires.
Period-Correct Markings: From the precise font styles used for size designations to the authentic placement of manufacturer logos and DOT codes, Coker whitewalls replicate the subtle details that serious collectors and judges scrutinize. Even the mold seam location and "bump" characteristics match original production methods.
Era-Specific White Formulations: Different decades featured distinct white rubber compounds with characteristic sheen, texture, and aging properties. Coker's materials scientists have analyzed original examples to recreate these specific appearances, from the slightly off-white early compounds to the brilliant white of mid-century premium tires.
No other manufacturer offers Coker's breadth of whitewall options:
Extensive Size Range: From diminutive 16-inch whitewalls for pre-war MGs to massive 16-inch whitewalls for 1930s Packards and Cadillacs, Coker's catalog includes sizes for virtually every significant classic vehicle. This includes many obscure sizes that no other manufacturer produces, making Coker the only solution for rare or unusual applications.
Whitewall Width Options: Coker offers the complete historical progression of whitewall widths, from the imposing 3-4 inch whitewalls of the 1930s luxury cars to the modest 3/8-inch pinstripes of late 1960s models. For each era, the correct proportional relationship between tire size and whitewall width is maintained for authentic appearance.
Brand-Specific Designs: Through exclusive licensing agreements, Coker reproduces the distinctive styling characteristics that differentiated original tire brands. A Firestone whitewall features authentic Firestone tread patterns and sidewall styling, while a U.S. Royal reproduction maintains the unique design elements that distinguished this premium brand—details particularly important for marque-correct restorations.
Beyond historical accuracy, Coker's production quality establishes industry standards:
Dedicated Production Facilities: Unlike manufacturers who outsource production, Coker maintains specialized manufacturing operations specifically designed for low-volume, high-quality vintage tire reproduction. This allows for the detailed hand-finishing and quality control essential for premium whitewall production.
Advanced Materials Science: While maintaining historical appearances, Coker incorporates modern materials knowledge to improve longevity and performance. Their white compounds include UV stabilizers and anti-oxidants that significantly outperform original formulations in resistance to yellowing and cracking, while remaining visually indistinguishable from period tires.
Multi-Stage Quality Control: Each Coker whitewall undergoes multiple inspection stages, including visual examination under varied lighting conditions to detect imperfections in the white band that might not be immediately visible. This attention to detail ensures consistency across production runs—essential for vehicles requiring matching sets.
The flagship of Coker's historical reproduction line, these tires feature traditional bias-ply construction identical to original equipment on classic vehicles:
Construction Characteristics: Multi-ply cotton or nylon carcass built on bias angle, creating the distinctive sidewall appearance, ride quality, and handling characteristics that defined the driving experience of different eras. For absolute concours-correct restorations, these tires deliver uncompromising authenticity.
Brand-Specific Reproductions: Available under historically accurate brand names, including Firestone, BFGoodrich, U.S. Royal, and Coker's own Premium Sport line. Each reproduces the distinctive styling cues, tread patterns, and sidewall details that distinguished these brands during different periods.
Era-Appropriate Sizing: Offered in original size designations (e.g., 6.70-15, 8.20-15) with matching load ratings and inflation specifications. For vehicles judged on absolute period correctness, these tires provide documented authenticity that satisfies the most stringent concours requirements.
The Authentic Bias-Ply collection is organized chronologically and by manufacturer, with specific designs spanning from the 1920s through the early 1970s. Each tire is accompanied by historical documentation certifying its accuracy for judged events and exhibitions.
Recognizing that many classic car enthusiasts desire improved performance without sacrificing vintage appearance, Coker pioneered the "bias-look radial" category:
Hybrid Design Approach: These innovative tires combine modern radial internal construction with external styling that precisely replicates the appearance of bias-ply tires, including correct sidewall profiles, proportions, and tread patterns visible to observers.
Performance Advantages: The radial construction provides significantly improved handling stability, reduced rolling resistance, better heat dissipation, and longer tread life compared to traditional bias-ply designs, while maintaining a period-correct appearance from the outside.
Original Sizing: Available in vintage size designations (matching factory specifications) but with modern radial construction, these tires are ideal for vehicles that appear in shows but are also driven regularly. They offer an excellent compromise between authenticity and practical performance.
Particularly popular for touring events and driver-focused restorations, the Bias-Look Radial collection has become Coker's fastest-growing category as enthusiasts increasingly use their classic vehicles for driving enjoyment rather than static display.
Designed for enhanced performance and everyday drivability while maintaining vintage styling:
Modern Radial Architecture: Full contemporary radial construction with steel belts, polyester body plies, and advanced internal components that deliver handling, comfort, and safety characteristics comparable to modern tires, while preserving classic whitewall styling.
All-Season Capability: Enhanced tread compounds and water evacuation channels provide superior wet grip and all-weather performance compared to vintage designs, making these tires suitable for year-round use in varied climate conditions.
Contemporary Sizing Options: Available in both vintage designations and modern metric equivalents, with increased load ratings appropriate for vehicles that may have been modified with modern engines or accessories that increase weight beyond original specifications.
The American Classic Radial line represents Coker's solution for enthusiasts who prioritize driving performance and safety while maintaining period-appropriate styling. These tires are particularly recommended for vehicles used as regular transportation or for extended touring events.
Catering to the vibrant custom car and hot rod communities, this specialized collection features distinctive styling options:
Wide White Options: Dramatic whitewall widths up to 4 inches for the ultimate in vintage custom styling, perfect for traditional 1950s custom builds and period-correct hot rods where visual impact takes precedence.
Pie-Crust Whitewalls: Featuring the distinctive scalloped edge effect popular on premium custom builds in the 1950s, these specialized whitewalls deliver a distinctive visual texture that complements traditional flame paint jobs and chrome accessories.
Dragster and Competition Whitewalls: Performance-oriented whitewalls with period-correct styling for vintage drag racers, gassers, and competition-inspired street machines, combining distinctive appearance with enhanced grip compounds.
This collection serves the creative needs of custom builders who respect traditional aesthetics while expressing individual style. From traditional lowriders to contemporary street rods with vintage influence, the Hot Rod and Custom series offers unique options not available from any other manufacturer.
A specialized line serving the vintage motorcycle restoration community:
Authentic Vintage Patterns: Reproduction motorcycle whitewalls with correct tread patterns for different eras and applications, from ribbed front patterns to block-tread rear designs appropriate for specific makes and models.
Narrow-Band Styling: Featuring the distinctive narrow whitewall proportions that characterized premium motorcycle tires, with precise white band dimensions appropriate for different eras from the 1930s through the 1960s.
Original Fitments: Available in hard-to-find vintage motorcycle sizes for brands like Harley-Davidson, Indian, BSA, Triumph, and other classic marques, providing authentic appearance for museum-quality motorcycle restorations.
As the vintage motorcycle hobby has grown, Coker has expanded this collection to include previously unavailable sizes and styles, making correct restoration possible for increasingly rare and valuable classic motorcycles.
Your approach to vehicle restoration should guide your Coker whitewall selection:
Museum-Quality Restoration: For vehicles being restored to exact factory specifications for judged competition or historical preservation, Coker's Authentic Bias-Ply whitewalls provide uncompromising period correctness. When absolute authenticity is the priority, these tires deliver documented historical accuracy with proper construction, materials, and appearance.
Sympathetic Restoration: If you're balancing historical appearance with improved reliability for occasional driving, the Bias-Look Radial collection offers an ideal compromise. These tires maintain authentic exterior appearance while providing enhanced safety and performance for limited road use.
Restomod Approach: For classics that incorporate modern performance upgrades while respecting historical aesthetics, the American Classic Radial whitewalls deliver contemporary handling with period-appropriate styling. These tires complement vehicles with upgraded suspensions, modern brake systems, or enhanced powertrains.
Custom and Modified: Vehicles built with creative interpretation of vintage styles are perfectly complemented by Coker's Hot Rod and Custom collection, which offers distinctive styling options that enhance custom builds while maintaining connections to automotive heritage.
Coker provides extensive resources for determining historically correct tire specifications:
Manufacturer Documentation: Coker maintains the industry's most comprehensive archive of original equipment tire specifications, organized by vehicle make, model, and year. Their reference materials include factory build sheets, dealer documentation, and period advertisements specifying original equipment fitments.
Size Conversion Charts: Detailed conversion tables help translate original tire specifications (often in now-obsolete designation systems) to current equivalent sizes. These resources are particularly valuable for pre-1965 vehicles that used sizing conventions different from modern standards.
Expert Consultation: Coker's technical staff includes specialists in different vehicle eras and marques who can provide personalized guidance on correct tire selection. For unusual or rare vehicles, this expertise is invaluable in determining appropriate options when documentation may be limited.
How you use your vehicle should significantly influence your Coker whitewall selection:
Show Vehicle/Limited Use: For vehicles driven minimally (less than 1,500 miles annually) and primarily displayed, Authentic Bias-Ply whitewalls provide the most correct appearance and appropriate performance for limited use. Their period-correct construction delivers the authentic handling characteristics that complement unmodified classic suspensions.
Weekend Cruiser: Vehicles driven regularly for pleasure but not as primary transportation benefit from Bias-Look Radials, which maintain authentic appearance while providing improved stability, particularly at highway speeds. These tires are especially recommended for larger American classics where the weight and power can overwhelm period bias-ply designs.
Regular Driver: For classics driven frequently or used for extended tours, American Classic Radials offer significantly improved safety margins, wet-weather performance, and longevity. Their modern construction provides predictable handling in emergency situations and better resistance to road hazards encountered during regular use.
Performance Applications: Modified classics with enhanced engines, upgraded suspensions, or improved brakes should be equipped with tires that match their performance capabilities. Coker's performance-oriented radial whitewalls provide appropriate speed ratings and handling characteristics for vehicles that exceed original performance specifications.
Preserving the appearance of Coker whitewalls requires appropriate care procedures:
Recommended Cleaning Products: Coker's specially formulated Whitewall Cleaner provides effective cleaning without harsh chemicals that can damage the white rubber compound. This pH-balanced formula removes surface contaminants while preserving the integrity of both the white and black rubber components.
Cleaning Technique: Apply cleaner with a soft-bristled brush or white cleaning pad, using gentle circular motions rather than aggressive scrubbing. Allow the product to dwell for 1-2 minutes before thoroughly rinsing with clean water. For stubborn stains, a second gentle application is preferable to using stronger chemicals.
Regular Maintenance Schedule: Under normal conditions, clean whitewalls monthly or whenever visible soiling occurs. More frequent gentle cleaning is preferable to occasional aggressive cleaning, which can damage the surface structure of the white compound and lead to premature aging.
Proactive care significantly extends the appearance and longevity of Coker whitewalls:
UV Protection: Apply Coker's Tire Preserve product quarterly to create a protective barrier against ultraviolet radiation and environmental contaminants. This specialized formula shields the rubber compounds from photochemical degradation without creating a glossy or unnatural appearance.
Environmental Considerations: When possible, park vehicles to minimize direct sunlight exposure on the tires, particularly during peak UV hours. For vehicles stored or displayed outdoors, tire covers specifically designed for whitewalls provide protection while allowing appropriate ventilation.
Avoiding Contaminants: Be particularly vigilant about substances that can cause permanent staining, including tire dressings containing silicone or petroleum distillates, brake dust (which contains metal particles that can embed in white rubber), and automotive fluids like motor oil or transmission fluid.
For seasonal vehicles or those displayed for extended periods:
Preparation Procedures: Before storage, thoroughly clean whitewalls and apply a fresh coat of Tire Preserve. For vehicles stored more than three months, consider increasing inflation pressure by approximately 10 psi above normal (without exceeding maximum sidewall ratings) to compensate for the gradual pressure loss that occurs during storage.
Weight Management: For extended storage periods, either use quality jack stands to remove weight from the tires or reposition the vehicle slightly every 30 days to prevent flat-spotting and uneven aging of the tire compounds. Even minor compression over extended periods can create permanent flat spots in bias-ply tires.
Climate Considerations: Store vehicles in climate-controlled environments whenever possible. If this isn't available, choose locations with minimal temperature fluctuation and humidity control, as extreme conditions accelerate the aging process of rubber compounds. Avoid dirt floors, which can transmit moisture and minerals that affect the white rubber.
Coker whitewalls have earned unparalleled acceptance in the most prestigious automotive events:
Pebble Beach Validation: Vehicles equipped with Coker's Authentic Bias-Ply whitewalls regularly appear and win at the Pebble Beach Concours d'Elegance, widely considered the world's most prestigious automotive event. Judges specifically recognize the historical accuracy of Coker reproductions when evaluating tire correctness.
Certification Programs: Several marque-specific judging organizations have formally recognized Coker reproductions as acceptable alternatives to unobtainable NOS tires for concours competition. This endorsement reflects the exceptional accuracy of Coker's reproductions compared to original specifications.
Museum Adoption: Prestigious automotive museums including the Petersen Automotive Museum, The Henry Ford, and the National Automobile Museum regularly specify Coker whitewalls for their permanent collection vehicles, acknowledging their role in preserving automotive history through accurate reproduction components.
Leading restoration specialists consistently select Coker whitewalls for their premium projects:
Authenticity Confidence: Professional restorers report that Coker's documentation programs provide valuable supporting evidence for authentication of historically significant vehicles, particularly when original documentation may be incomplete or unavailable.
Consistent Quality: Restoration shops handling multiple projects simultaneously value Coker's manufacturing consistency, which ensures that tires ordered months apart for the same project will match in appearance and specifications—critical for vehicles requiring multiple sets during long-term restorations.
Technical Support: The availability of Coker's technical advisors provides restoration professionals with specialized consultation on unusual applications, custom fitments, or historically ambiguous specifications that require expert interpretation.
Beyond show applications, the practical experience of enthusiasts who drive their classics regularly has established Coker's reputation for performance:
Touring Reliability: Participants in vintage rallies and long-distance touring events consistently report excellent reliability from Coker's Bias-Look Radial and American Classic Radial whitewalls, even under challenging conditions and extended highway use that would quickly compromise lesser quality reproductions.
Vintage Racing Acceptance: In the growing vintage racing community, Coker's period-correct racing whitewalls have gained acceptance for their combination of authentic appearance and enhanced safety margins compared to NOS competition tires that have deteriorated with age.
Long-Term Value: Enthusiasts who maintain vehicles over decades report that Coker whitewalls typically deliver superior value despite premium pricing, with longer service life, better resistance to age-related deterioration, and more consistent appearance throughout their useful lifespan compared to budget alternatives.
Coker maintains a selective network of knowledgeable retailers:
Specialty Tire Retailers: Dedicated vintage tire specialists carrying the complete Coker whitewall lineup, with trained staff who can provide detailed guidance on period-correct selections and proper fitment for specific vehicle applications.
Classic Car Service Centers: Many shops specializing in vintage vehicle maintenance and restoration have established relationships with Coker and can provide both product selection assistance and professional mounting services specifically tailored to classic wheels and tires.
Restoration Suppliers: Major classic car parts distributors typically offer Coker whitewalls as part of their comprehensive restoration product lines, often with technical support staff familiar with correct applications for different vehicle makes and models.
For specialized needs or comprehensive projects:
Coker Tire Company Direct: Purchase directly from Coker's headquarters in Chattanooga, Tennessee, with access to their complete inventory including rare and special-order items that may not be stocked by retailers. Factory direct orders include access to Coker's technical support team for specialized applications.
Restoration Packages: For complete vehicle projects, Coker offers coordinated tire and wheel packages that ensure proper compatibility between reproduction wheels and tires—particularly valuable for prewar vehicles where wheel and tire interfaces can be complex and non-standardized.
Custom Manufacturing: For extremely rare or unusual applications not covered by existing reproduction lines, Coker offers limited custom manufacturing services. While requiring minimum quantities and extended lead times, this service provides solutions for vehicles that would otherwise be impossible to fit with period-correct tires.
Coker provides extensive resources to ensure correct tire selection:
Comprehensive Catalog System: Detailed print and online catalogs organized by both vehicle application and tire size, with extensive cross-referencing to help identify correct options for specific years, makes, and models. These include period photographs showing original equipment installations for reference.
Technical Consultation Services: Dedicated technical representatives available by phone or email to provide personalized guidance on correct tire selection, especially valuable for unusual or rare vehicles where documentation may be limited or contradictory.
Fitment Guarantee: Coker stands behind their application recommendations with a fitment guarantee that ensures tires selected according to their guidance will be appropriate for the specified vehicle. This provides peace of mind when ordering specialized sizes for valuable collector vehicles.
Coker whitewall tires are considered the industry standard due to their unparalleled commitment to authentic reproduction. As the world's largest manufacturer of vintage and classic tires, Coker has invested in acquiring original molds, developing period-correct rubber compounds, and maintaining exacting quality control. Their extensive catalog covers virtually every significant American and European classic vehicle, with historically accurate tread patterns, sidewall markings, and whitewall dimensions that satisfy the most stringent concours judges and restoration professionals.
Coker offers an extensive range of whitewall tires across multiple categories. Their catalog includes authentic bias-ply reproductions with period-correct construction for show vehicles and concours restorations; bias-look radials that combine vintage appearances with modern radial construction for improved performance; American Classic radials for regularly driven vehicles; specialty whitewalls for hot rods and customs; and exact reproductions of original manufacturer designs including Firestone, BFGoodrich, and U.S. Royal patterns licensed from the original companies.
Coker offers both show-quality reproductions and driving-oriented whitewalls. Their American Classic Radial and Bias-Look Radial lines are specifically engineered for regular use, combining vintage styling with modern performance features. These tires incorporate contemporary radial construction, improved tread compounds, and enhanced handling characteristics while maintaining authentic whitewall appearances. For vehicles driven frequently, Coker's radial whitewalls provide significantly better safety, comfort, and longevity compared to traditional bias-ply tires.
Selecting the correct Coker whitewalls involves considering your vehicle's year, make, and model; your restoration goals (show-quality authenticity vs. improved driving performance); and your typical usage patterns. Coker provides detailed fitment guides organized by vehicle, tire size conversion charts for translating original specifications to modern equivalents, and a team of tire experts available for personalized consultation. For concours restorations, Coker can provide documentation confirming the historical accuracy of their tires for specific vehicle applications.
Coker recommends cleaning whitewalls with their specially formulated Whitewall Cleaner, which removes road grime without harming the white rubber compound. Apply with a soft-bristle brush using gentle circular motions, then rinse thoroughly. For protection, apply Coker's Tire Preserve monthly to prevent UV damage and oxidation. Store vehicles with whitewalls away from direct sunlight, maintain proper inflation even during storage, and avoid petroleum-based cleaners, silicone tire dressings, and automatic car wash chemicals that can cause permanent staining or yellowing.
Yes, Coker specializes in producing whitewalls for unusual, rare, and orphan marques that other manufacturers don't support. Their catalog includes tires for pre-war European classics, limited production luxury cars, and many discontinued American brands. For extremely rare applications not covered by their standard offerings, Coker provides custom manufacturing services, though these may require minimum order quantities and extended lead times. Their technical staff can help determine appropriate options for even the most obscure vehicle applications.
Coker whitewalls include a materials and workmanship warranty that varies by product line. Their radial whitewalls typically carry a standard limited warranty against manufacturing defects, while their bias-ply reproductions include more specialized coverage reflecting their primary use in show vehicles. All warranties require proper maintenance and inflation according to Coker's specifications. For specific warranty details on particular models, consult the documentation included with your purchase or contact Coker's customer service department.
Coker whitewall tires represent the pinnacle of vintage tire reproduction, combining unmatched historical accuracy with manufacturing excellence that has established them as the reference standard in the collector car community. Their comprehensive approach—from acquiring original molds and technical documentation to developing specialized compounds and production techniques—delivers whitewalls that satisfy the most demanding restoration requirements while providing reliability that modern enthusiasts expect. See the Full Line up of Whitewall Tires.
For concours-quality restorations, regularly driven classics, or custom builds that honor automotive heritage, Coker provides whitewall options that respect tradition while incorporating appropriate modern improvements. Their position as the world's largest manufacturer of vintage tires ensures unmatched selection, consistent quality, and ongoing support for the global classic car community.
While premium pricing reflects their quality and authenticity, Coker whitewalls deliver corresponding value through historical accuracy, manufacturing consistency, and exceptional durability. For the serious collector or restoration professional, Coker whitewalls represent not merely a component purchase but an investment in automotive heritage preservation—the perfect finishing touch that transforms a restoration from merely correct to truly exceptional. See the Whitewall Tires Guide for all whitewall tires offerings.
Whether showcasing a rare classic at prestigious concours events, enjoying weekend drives in a beloved vintage cruiser, or creating a custom expression of automotive art, Coker whitewalls provide that perfect balance of historical authenticity and modern reliability that discerning enthusiasts demand.
