What's the difference between bias ply and bias look radial whitewall tires?

Coker's authentic bias ply whitewalls feature traditional construction with crossed fabric plies at angles to the tread centerline, providing the exact look and ride characteristics of original vintage tires. Their innovative bias look radials offer modern radial construction with steel belts and radial body plies for improved handling, safety, and longevity (30,000-50,000 miles vs. 10,000-15,000 for bias ply), while maintaining the appearance of bias ply tires with features like pie-crust shoulders and authentic tread patterns.

What whitewall widths does Coker offer?

Coker manufactures whitewall tires in multiple width options to match different automotive eras: narrow 3/8-inch and 5/8-inch whitewalls typical of 1960s vehicles, 1-inch and 2-inch medium whitewalls popular in the late 1950s, wide 2.5-inch and 3-inch whitewalls common on luxury cars of the early-to-mid 1950s, and specialty 4-inch 'Gangster' whitewalls reminiscent of prohibition-era luxury automobiles.

Are Coker whitewall tires safe for regular street use?

Yes, all Coker street tires meet Department of Transportation (DOT) safety standards. Their bias look radial whitewalls offer modern safety features including improved wet weather traction, better heat dissipation, and enhanced stability at highway speeds, while their authentic bias ply whitewalls meet safety requirements for vehicles that see limited, recreational use.

How should I maintain my Coker whitewall tires?

For optimal appearance and longevity of Coker whitewall tires: clean regularly with mild soap and water or specialized whitewall cleaner (avoiding harsh chemicals and petroleum-based products), apply UV protectant specifically formulated for white rubber, maintain proper inflation pressures, store vehicles on tire stands to prevent flat-spotting, and keep tires out of direct sunlight during extended storage periods.

Does Coker make whitewall tires for vehicles other than passenger cars?

Yes, Coker produces whitewall tires for various vehicle types beyond passenger cars. Their extensive catalog includes whitewall options for classic motorcycles (including specific fitments for vintage Harley-Davidson and Indian models), vintage light trucks and pickups, commercial vehicles, and even early automobile designs like Ford Model T and Model A with specialized sizing such as 30×3½ clincher tires.

Coker Tires: The Gold Standard in Premium Whitewall Tire Reproduction

In the world of classic car restoration and vintage vehicle maintenance, few components are as visually distinctive as whitewall tires. These iconic tires, with their clean white band contrasting against black rubber, instantly evoke the golden age of American automotive design. When it comes to authentic reproduction whitewall tires that combine period-correct appearances with modern performance capabilities, Coker Tire Company stands as the unquestioned industry leader.

A Heritage of Excellence Since 1958

Founded in 1958 by Harold Coker, the Coker Tire Company began with a simple yet powerful vision: to provide authentic tires for classic vehicles when major manufacturers had discontinued production of these specialty sizes. What started as a small family business in Chattanooga, Tennessee has grown into the world's largest supplier of collector vehicle tires and wheels, with Coker's whitewall tire offerings serving as the cornerstone of their impressive catalog.

Today, Coker Tires remains committed to their original mission of helping enthusiasts maintain the authenticity of their vintage vehicles while incorporating modern manufacturing techniques and materials that enhance performance, safety, and longevity. This perfect balance between historical accuracy and contemporary engineering has made Coker the preferred choice for collectors, museums, and restoration specialists worldwide.

The Definitive Whitewall Collection

Coker's whitewall tire lineup is unmatched in its breadth and authenticity, offering multiple options to suit virtually any classic vehicle from the 1920s through the 1970s. Their whitewall offerings fall into several distinct categories, each designed to address specific needs within the classic car community:

Authentic Bias Ply Whitewalls

For purists and concours-level restorations, Coker's authentic bias ply whitewall tires represent the ultimate in historical accuracy. These tires feature:

True Bias Ply Construction: Authentic body ply angles that match original factory specifications
Period-Correct Tread Patterns: Meticulously recreated from original molds or reverse-engineered from NOS (New Old Stock) examples
Authentic Sidewall Markings: Including correct fonts, logos, and sizing nomenclature specific to each era
Multiple Whitewall Width Options: From the bold 3-inch "Super Deluxe" whitewalls of the late 1940s to the more modest 5/8-inch whitewalls of the 1960s
Original Sizing: Available in now-obsolete dimensions like 6.70-15, 7.10-15, and 8.20-15 that were standard on classic American cars

Popular models in this category include the Firestone and U.S. Royal bias look tires, which are essentially identical to what came on luxury vehicles in the 1950s and early 1960s, making them perfect for show-quality restorations where absolute authenticity is paramount.

Bias Look Radial Whitewalls

Representing Coker's innovative approach to combining vintage aesthetics with modern performance, the bias look radial lineup has become their bestselling whitewall category. These revolutionary tires offer:

Authentic Vintage Appearance: With sidewall profiles, tread patterns, and whitewall styling that perfectly mimics bias ply tires
Modern Radial Construction: Providing significantly improved handling, ride quality, and tread life
Enhanced Safety: Better wet-weather grip and stability compared to traditional bias ply designs
Extended Longevity: Typical tread life of 30,000-50,000 miles versus 10,000-15,000 for true bias ply tires
Reduced Flat-Spotting: Less prone to developing flat spots during storage

The American Classic Radial, with its distinctive pie-crust shoulder design and crisp white sidewall, exemplifies this category. These tires have become the go-to choice for classic car enthusiasts who drive their vehicles regularly but refuse to compromise on period-correct appearances.

Wide Whitewall Radials

For those seeking the bold styling of wide whitewalls with thoroughly modern performance, Coker offers contemporary radial designs with generous white bands. These tires combine:

Contemporary Tread Patterns: Modern designs optimized for all-season performance
Premium Radial Construction: With state-of-the-art materials and manufacturing techniques
Bold Whitewall Styling: Available in widths from 1-inch to 3-inch to suit various vintage aesthetics
H-Speed Ratings: Suitable for highway speeds up to 130 mph
All-Season Capability: Designed to perform well in various weather conditions

The BFGoodrich Silvertown Radial exemplifies this category, offering the perfect solution for hot rod builders and custom car enthusiasts who want distinctive whitewall styling without the handling compromises of bias ply construction.

Premium Specialty Whitewalls

Beyond their mainstream offerings, Coker produces several specialty whitewall lines catering to niche markets within the collector car community:

Classic Motorcycle Whitewalls: Period-correct options for vintage Harley-Davidson, Indian, and other classic motorcycles
Gangster Whitewalls: Ultra-wide 4-inch white bands reminiscent of prohibition-era luxury cars
Antique Automobile Whitewalls: Specialized sizes for brass era cars and early classics including 30×3½ clinchers
Whitewall Truck Tires: Distinctive options for vintage pickups and commercial vehicles

These specialized products underscore Coker's comprehensive approach to serving every segment of the classic vehicle market, ensuring that no matter how rare or unusual your vintage vehicle, appropriate whitewall options are available.

Manufacturing Excellence

Coker's reputation for quality is built upon their exacting manufacturing standards. Unlike some competitors who merely import generic tires and add white sidewalls, Coker maintains ownership of their tire molds and controls every aspect of production:

Proprietary Rubber Compounds: Specially formulated to resist cracking, reduce flat-spotting, and maintain whitewall brightness
Owned Tooling: Coker possesses many original manufacturer molds and has created others from authentic blueprints
Rigorous Quality Control: Every tire undergoes thorough inspection before leaving the factory
DOT Compliance: All street tires meet Department of Transportation safety standards

This commitment to manufacturing excellence ensures that Coker whitewall tires not only look authentic but deliver reliable performance and safety that exceeds expectations.

Key Takeaways

Coker Tire Company, founded in 1958, is the world's largest supplier of whitewall tires for classic vehicles
Their whitewall tire lineup includes authentic bias ply reproductions, innovative bias look radials, and contemporary wide whitewall radials
Coker offers various whitewall widths from 3/8-inch to 4-inch to match different vehicle eras and styles
All Coker street tires meet DOT safety standards while maintaining period-correct appearances
The company owns their molds and controls manufacturing processes to ensure consistent quality
Bias look radial whitewalls offer the perfect compromise between authentic styling and modern performance
Specialty options include whitewall tires for vintage motorcycles, trucks, and antique automobiles

Whether you're pursuing a museum-quality restoration, building a custom street rod, or simply maintaining a family heirloom, Coker's whitewall tire collection offers the perfect solution to complete your classic vehicle's distinctive appearance while providing the safety and reliability that modern drivers expect. Their unmatched selection, commitment to authenticity, and innovative approach to combining vintage aesthetics with contemporary performance have earned them their position as the gold standard in premium whitewall tire reproduction.

Ready to find the perfect whitewall tires for your classic? Explore the complete collection at Coker Tires and discover why discerning enthusiasts have trusted the Coker name for over six decades.

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