Coker tire

[Guest Randy Berger]

I just got off the phone with Coker tire. One of their BFG WWW radial tires started to bubble up around the rim two years ago. I purchased the five-year warranty at the time of purchase 08/04/1998. I have called them on several occasions over the last two years and was always told. "We are out-of-stock on that tire right now, but call back in a couple of months". When I called today they told me my warranty had expired - five years and three days. I explained they had been out of stock whenever I called. Coker responded "we don't do business that way - we would have back-ordered it". They DID do business that way - they DID NOT back-order it and now won't honor the warranty. I always thought Coker was a reputable company, but given this incident and a friend's problems with their inhouse brand WWW radials that keep breaking the belts, I have reconsidered my opinion. Bad experience for tires I paid $147.00 a piece.

YFAM, Randy Berger

[6219_Rules]

Randy, I am so sorry you had that experience and it is a good thing you posted it! Thank you.

You just saved me from making the same error. I put Goodyear Regatta IIs on my '77 Eldorado and I was looking at Coker for the WWW radials for the 1947 Cadillac. Forget it. I have seen this game played before, and quite honestly I thought they were above it but apparently not. I do not accept the excuse that it is due to the rotten economy either. Morality and ethics are not based on economics. Greed is and they clearly wanted out of this responsibility for whatEVER reason. It is inexcusable. And, by the way, I got my Regatta IIs for $80.41 apiece. Best tire I have ever used, period. I don't know where to get a WWW anymore but I think I may put a black wall on the 47 for authenticity.

[Guest]

i've always used universal tires, for the pass 15 years, and 18 tires later never had a problem.

still got them all!

http://www.universaltire.com/

[Guest Randy Berger]

Yes, I still have the bias-ply tires I bought from Universal, but the roadability was terrible - that's why I switched to radials. Guess I'll look at those Diamondbacks like my friend with the 59 Caddy.

YFAM, Randy Berger

[Guest]

belive it our not, my '58 has wal-mart radials on it...

they came on the car when i got it seven years ago, and they still have deep tread.

the ply tires on my 1950 run well on good roads. Concrete roads are great, but asphalt roads required a tight grip.

[Ron Green]

Universal Tire and Coker are now and have been for a year or two the same company, FYI. Universal has changed somewhat and will gladly look up tires they don't handle in the Coker books. I have been to their location in Hershey a fair amount as they are close by.

[Centurion]

Interesting that this thread just showed up. I have just returned from my 5,000-mile round trip in the '59 Buick to the Buick Centennial in Flint. (The meet was incredible, by the way.) On the way back, two of my Coker Classic radial wide-whitewall tires suffered broken steel belts. These tires had just a very few thousand miles on them when I left for the trip, eventhough I had purchased them new back in the spring of 1999.

One of the tire shops where I stopped (Manitowoc, Wisconsin) said that they could not believe the weight that had been required to balance the Coker tires, and felt strongly that I had obtained a defective batch of tires. I asked whether the original '59 Buick steel wheels could be part of the balancing problem, and they replied that they had far more confidence in the old Buick wheels than in the tires. The inexpensive blackwall radials I put on the car balanced up just fine. By the end of the trip, I had ditched all four of the Cokers, bringing only one of them home as a spare.

My challenge now is to take the tire serial numbers, my receipts for new tires, and the telephone numbers of the tire people who dealt with replacing the Cokers to the local tire dealer (who originally supplied the Cokers) in the hopes of gaining some kind of compensation for the many hundreds of dollars spent -- and wasted -- on the troublesome Cokers.

Based on the things that I have heard and observed about the Coker tires, I think that I will opt for cash compensation (if given the option), and look for another brand of radial wide whitewall tires. I look forward to hearing any input about good options. I know that this has been covered on these forums during the past, but never figured that I would need to worry about replacing the Cokers anytime soon.

[Guest imported_PackardV8]

You folks are wasteing your time trying to run period style REPRODUCTION tires of ANY type,kind or manufacture. Just go to the nearest discount store that sells the cheapest modern radial (steel belt at least 4 ply) and put them on. Maybe go one size larger than required . If you are worried about judging then get THE RULES CHANGED or make it a trailer queen. However, i have had good luck with Coker tires on motorcycles only.

[Peter J.Heizmann]

Centurion (Hi, Brian)...

Good post. I put on a set of Coker 185-15 Red Lines on my TR6 2 years ago. No problem, however, your scenario peaked my interest as to "tire dies", "hose dies", and so on, when a VENDOR offers their "wares" as reproductions/original specifications.

Why did I reference "VENDOR"?? To me, anyone selling reproduction parts to original specifications is exactly that: A VENDOR. We, within the hobby, are the "FACTORY" in our attempts to keep the vehicles to "FACTORY" specs, thus, the advertisers in the miriad of magazines we read, are the "VENDORS".

Related experience: In 1999, I became serious about "FACTORY" detail on my TR6. Ordered a set of heater hose/radiator "CORRECT" hose from the Roadster Factory. (These hoses are ugly, but, correct. Rubber hose with a canvas-feeling, close to grass colored green material.) When the set arrived, I thought "great". Drained/flushed the whole system. Thought, that's it. Done.

WRONG!!

The rubber composite deteriorated during Winter storage. In the Spring of 2000, I did, what a lot of us do, get the car ready for the Summer. I could not believe it...all the green hoses turned into a dark black color.

Called the Roadster Factory. They were honest, and, in all fairness, are an overall good VENDOR. They informed me the hoses are made to FACTORY SPECS in Taiwan, and, they admitted they have a composite problem with Taiwan.

Cost without my labor: $90 range.

Going for a 1st Junior, stupid me, I orered another set, hoping the problem was resolved...Nope! This time in the Spring of 2001, only 4 hoses turned "Black", but, the rest remained the ugly green.

Contacted Rimmer Brothers in England, and, they too, admitted they have a problem with Taiwan.

Finally, true to their word and being a good "Overall" VENDOR, the Roadster Factory sent a 3rd set of hoses. Working well ever since.

Only problem is I probably spent $300 for all of the above.

Where/What/Who generates the rubber composition at "rubber" related products remains my question.

Coker, and, probably many other VENDORS, tout, they spent thousands of dollars buying up "original dies" to satisfy your needs. My question: "WHERE ARE THE DIES UTILIZED TO PRODUCE THE PRODUCT AS ADVERTISED???".

In this day and age of ISO Certification/QS-9000 Certification of commerical products within this Country and a growing number of Foreign Countries, where do "OUR HOBBY RELATED VENDORS" actually manufacture the product??

Sorry for rambling...

Peter J.

[rocketraider]

Why waste your time on the phone with the Coker paeans? Corky Coker is a past AACA president and I'm sure would be interested in hearing about your experience with a product that carries his name. Write him at the corporate address.

I believe those tires are made in Mexico, so it would surprise me if they meet DOT specs much less exceed them.

After talking with the guys at Diamondback Classics and seeing their product, I think that is where I would go for correct width whitewall radials.

Randy, maybe we've all learned from this. If someone gives you an evasive phone answer, ask for their name and position within the company, and also to speak with their boss. Get names, dates and times, and have them send you written conformation that what they've told you is so. Shame to have be hard-ass that way, but I expect value and performance for my hard-earned money.

[Guest]

Corkey Coker is <span style="font-weight: bold">NOT</span> an AACA Past President. His father Harold was AACA President about 30 years ago when Corky was still wet behind the ears.

The Coker Tire Company we are dealing with today seems to operate under a different set of standards that when it was owned and operated by Harold. Too bad!

Good luck you guys on getting satisfaction. <img src="http://www.aaca.org/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/frown.gif" alt="" />

hvs

[Ron Green]

I recently bought a set of the Diamondback Classics WWW for the Amphicar and am very happy. They run excellent on the backroads and expressways at speed (if you can call 50 mph at speed). They also grip good when driving from water to land but the one item that impressed me the most with these tires are the whitewalls. They don't seem to turn a yellow color as quick as the other period tires I have bought in the past few years and are very easy to clean. Not cheap at $165 per tire for 13" but in the long run well worth it if they don't fall apart on the rims.

[Amphicar BUYER]

Ron,

I have those as well. They stay white and look great no matter what the water I drive in is like. Remember how [color:"green"] <span style="font-weight: bold">green</span> Celina water is?

They work well up to the 70MPH max I will go in my Amphi. I had asked about a warranty, and they responded with "Nobody has ever worn out a set on a classic car." I laughed and said I'll be the first then! Now 2000 miles on the road and 75+ hours in the water (OK, I know that is real easy on the tires <img src="http://www.aaca.org/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smirk.gif" alt="" />), the Amphi drives nice and the tires look new.

I wish they had a true 4" WWW instead of the 2 3/4" WWW.

John

[rocketraider]

Howard- my bad. Got my Cokers mixed up <img src="http://www.aaca.org/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/blush.gif" alt="" />

[RoadsterRich]

Well this is most disheartening, I am nearing time to purchase 6 tires for the Roadster (1930 Chrysler 77). I had a less than stellar experience with Coker in March of this year, I had hoped it was a fluke. It would seem it was part of a disheartening trend...

On that note where will I find 6.00/18 tires? I had thought Universal, however if they are one and the same, is there any point to this? (As far as I know I'll have to get 6.50/18 as I have yet to see 6.00/18 listed). The owners manual lists them as 'formerly 30" x 6"'. I would prefer blackwalls as all of the factory photographs I have, show blackwalls, not whitewalls.

Also I'll be needing a set of 5 tires for the Jaguar, these are 6.50/6.70 x 16 white walls.

Any and all comments and suggestions are appreciated...

A bit dismayed...

Rich

[Guest]

i went with the black walls myself on my 1930 Buick.

i wanted the car to look sporty, and not a "geezer machine"

[1937hd45]

Hope to see that car on the show field in Redding, Connecticut September 6, 2003 for the 52nd Annual Fairfield County Pre 1942 Meet!

[Guest]

i would love to. is that an AACA show? i've been looking for info on it. Do they have a web sight?

But, still got to get it checked out for long distances.

need, 24 lug nuts..., and a few odds and ends.

will be in Mystic two weeks later with the '27.

[Dynaflash8]

Black walls are sporty now? Yep, guess I'm a geezer. I've been trying to wear those ugly blackwalls off my '01 Buick ever since I got it. Unfortunately, since it has retrogressed to 16-inch wheels the only white walls I can buy are about the width of a pencil!

As for collector tires. I just returned from the AACA Founders Tour...about 600 miles in length. I'm pleased to tell you my Universal double white wall tires came through again. Two were bought new in 1971 and two were bought new in 1981. They have at least 20K miles on them and still have decent tread. They are not radials either, of course. I learned to drive in 1954 on Rayon tires and I've never really found radials to be all that great except they wear longer if you can wear them out quickly. We recently bought a '76 Lincoln with four Michelen radials on the ground that looked like new. They had deep tread and no sidewall cracking, but within 1100 miles (that's hundred) three of them totally ply separated. That didn't endear me to Michilen. I've got Universal Tires on my '48 Buick and am very satisfied, but then again, I don't try to run it 75 mph down the interstate either. I had Coker bias plies on my 66 Chrysler and they wore out in about 10K miles of highway driving, so I bought a set of Master Craft radials for half the price. The car did not handle better with the radial and possibly not as well, but they wore better. In the old days I could get about 20K miles out of oldtime bias tires before they wore smooth, but then again, I never had a "ply separation". I can't tell you how many "ply searations" I've had with radial tires, even one on the rear of my new Suburban while towing a trailer to Florida. Do you think Firestone would make it good, nope they would not because it had 22K miles on it, but I did get a treadwear discount. I did have one blowout in my life, but that was in my poorest days and I'd bought it used. I just run what the car called for new and run it like it was supposed to be run. I have purchased five J78x15 Coker bias tires for the 71 Riviera I'm restoring and it can run high speed interstates, so I'll see how they do on that car. If they don't do well, Firestone makes a 2 inch radial yet---but then, look at the Firestone record <img src="http://www.aaca.org/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

[Guest]

Goodyear has their own line of vintage tires in various sizes. Don't know where they are made but info about them can be found at www.goodyear.com. Goodyear's sole distributor of their vintage tires is Kelsey Tire from MO. Their site is http://www.kelseytire.com/

[R W Burgess]

Dynaflash, You don't have to keep those 16 inch wheels. You can buy those fancy high dollar Aluminum whells in 15inch and then put the standard height white walls on them. With the same circumference the speedometer will still read correctly and you'd have the only '01 Buick in the state with whitewalls. <img src="http://www.aaca.org/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/blush.gif" alt="" /> By the way, I have 2 sets of Coker Wide Whites that have done well so far at normal(for me) speeds of 75 to 80 miles per hour with no problems. If I ever have a blowout, you can read about it in the newspaper. <img src="http://www.aaca.org/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/shocked.gif" alt="" /> <img src="http://www.aaca.org/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" /> Wayne

[Dynaflash8]

Mr. BCA Prez, yes I have some of those Goodyears on my '35 Buick. But, I didn't know they were actually made by Goodyear. Thanks

[Guest DeSoto Frank]

Whatever happened to "correct" tire for given vintage vehicle?

I once remember reading a article about a guy's in-depth resto of a de-luxe model 1930 Chevrolet, and when it came to tires, he found that the two "correct" tire styles were a blackwall or a double-white wall....

I guess there comes a point where you have really limited choices in given sizes (pre-Depression), and if you're going to really drive/tour a car, you probably would want something other than an all-smooth white rubber tire on your 1911 Ford Torpedo....

FWIW, when I had to replace all the dry-rotted 16" Montgomery-Ward Riverside tires on my '41 De Soto, the best all-around deal I found was from Sears.

They were able to get "correct"(what's on the cars pictured in my factory shop manual) 6.50 x 16 Goodyear "All-Weather" diamond-tread wide whites, with the ribbed side walls. Weren't cheap, but the only "cheap" tires were Universal blackwalls and they were still over $80 each, plus tubes and shipping.

The only other issue I had with Sears is that the "children" in their auto service dept refused to attempt working on tube tires, so I had to take 'em home, mount them myself, and haul 'em back to Sears for balancing (damn it!).

Out the door, my cost was about $130/tire, including tube & balance.

So, I think Sears is worth checking-out...they might be able to get what you need,and you can put it on your Sears charge! <img src="http://www.aaca.org/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

Any way, no quality complaints with Goodyear or Sears except as noted above.

[Dave@Moon]

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Quote:</div><div class="ubbcode-body"> The only other issue I had with Sears is that the "children" in their auto service dept refused to attempt working on tube tires, so I had to take 'em home, mount them myself, and haul 'em back to Sears for balancing (damn it!). </div></div>

Frank, I've had 2 cars damaged in Sears garages when mounting conventional tires. This is as close to my classic as I'd <span style="font-style: italic">ever consider</span> letting these guys get. I think you were forced to make a good move.

[Dynaflash8]

I don't think those ribbed Goodyear Diamond treads are authentic for cars as late as 1940-41, but they sure are pretty. My Dad did have a set of Schenuite [spelling] tires on his '39 when I was small, but the design wias verticle, not horizontal like the Goodyears. I have them on my '35 Buick Special. On the other hand the authentic tire for that car is a 6.25x16, a size nobody makes. So, I have a 600x16 in the tire cover because 6.50's are too large, and 6.50's on the ground because 6.00's are too small. The old Universal 6.50x16 was authentic all the ways. They sold their mold to Coker who is finally making that tire as a Firestone, but they have left the outer rib black, whereby the Universal tire was white to and including the outside rib. I'm not a tire expert, but memory tells me the Universal design was more correct and it sure looked prettier. I've decided to buy the wider Firestone tire when I replace my old double whitewall tires. For the sake of interest, I bought the first four 6.50x16 double whitewall tires that Universal began selling in 1971. I'm sorry they stopped. Now the only 6.00x16 double whitewalls are available, and they have "Ford" on them (or, I don't think any are made without "Ford" on them).

Those old Universal 6.50x16 double whitewalls were the best tires I've ever owned in my life, and like they Energizer bunny, they're still going.

[Guest DeSoto Frank]

Dynaflash,

I wondered the same thing, but there's a picture in my De Soto Division shop manual of two shopmen (in immaculate coveralls & neckties!) walking the front clip off a 1941 S-8 with those ribbed wide-whites....

One thing I will say about them, they're not the quietest tire ever made.....for driver tires, the next set will be a conventional tread pattern.

Had a set of (new) All-state Guardsman 8.50 x 15 www on my '48 New Yorker back in the late '80s; as I recall they rode and handled well, but were bald with 15,000 miles....they didn't have a very wide "footprint" for how big the balloon was across its section.

[Guest imported_Jess H.]

Please accept my apologies on the problems you experienced with your tires. We make every effort to make sure our customers are pleased with entire buying experience with Coker Tire. We are always interested in any problems our customers may experience. It has been our ultimate goal of 48 years for our customers to be completely satisfied with any product they buy from us.

Our tires are warranted for the life of the tread against manufacturer defects and defects in materials and workmanship.(This may change due to pending legislation, TREAD Act) We also offer a five year road hazard warranty, which goes above our standard warranty by covering the tire against damage you may encounter while driving. The road hazard is good for 5 years from the date of purchase.

Our Coker Classics and BFG Silvertown radials are not a grind in, cure on whitewall, or retread. Our whitewall radial is a new tire, built and tested to be a wide whitewall tire. Both our radials are DOT (Department of Transportation) approved and registered. They have also passed very stringent ECE testing (European Community) which allows the tires to be sold and used in Europe. They are also U.T.Q.G (Uniform Tire Quality Grade) tested which is established by the Federal Motor Vehicle Safety standards.

At Coker Tire Company, the customer has always been the top priority and will continue to be. We appreciate the opportunity to serve you and look forward to the next opportunity to earn your business. If you have an issue please feel free to contact me directly.

Sincerely,

Jess Hoodenpyle

Customer Service Manager

Coker Tire

1-800-251-6336

[Guest]

Jess,

I am looking for replacement tires for a 71 corvette. They are polyglass with the raised white lettering. I checked on the website and think I have the right ones, but I need to be sure. The current tires in the back were changed to wider ones back in 71 and they are still on the car going on 32 years!

Rocky Baldino

rbaldino@ericksonmail.com

[Guest imported_Jess H.]

The standard size for the 1971 Corvette is a F70-15. We carry the tire you are looking for in the Firestone Wide Oval with Raised White Letters. This link should pull a picture of the tire for you, http://www.coker.com/viewinventoryimage.asp?url=images/big/49.gif

We have that tire in stock and ready to ship. You can order online at www.coker.com or call us at 1-800-251-6336. If have any other questions please let me know.

Thanks, Jess

[Guest Randy Berger]

COKER Tire, I did contact you (COKER) directly. I told you that someone, (I never asked the name - didn't think I needed to with a well-established

company), told me the tire was out of stock blah, blah, and to call back in a few months. I did, tire was never in stock. Then when my 5-year warranty was up - BY THREE DAYS, you chuckled and said you couldn't help me. The white-wall is blistering around the rim. I believe some belts are broken because it has a shimmy that is much less noticeable when mounted on the rear. Now you (COKER) come on here and want to resolve my problem.

IF??? I have an issue, call you?? I did - no satisfaction.

Randy Berger <img src="http://www.aaca.org/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/frown.gif" alt="" />

[Guest imported_PackardV8]

Lets see what Coker DOES about Randys tire. KEEP US POSTED Randy.

[Guest]

Here is my own experience with Coker.

I needed 700x80{26x3} for my Horstman SS, 26x3 is a popular Motorcycle size and they had pure white "button tread"tires as well as black "simplex "ones.

I ordered 5 white ones and all was well until a week after inflation when a multiplicity of small cracks revealing the side wall fabric appeared along the sidewalls,which surprised me and made me question the integrity of these tyres.

A lengthy phone-call with Coker revealed that these fissures are a common characteristic with these white tyres and for road use I would be better off with the Black tyres in this size.

All worked out well and they bent over backwards to send me the black tyres but I still do not know why the white tyres are so weak??

[Guest imported_Jess H.]

Randy, as I stated earlier, our warranty is for the life of the tread. We do not put a time limit on the tire. The five year warranty (which is an additional $10.00 per unit) is for road hazards. (example; you curb the tire and damage the whitewall or hit an object and the tire becomes unservicealbe) I apologize for your previous experience, but I can not fix your problem if you are unwilling to call me.

Sincerely,

Jess Hoodenpyle

Coker Tire

Customer Service Manager

1-800-251-6336

[Guest imported_Jess H.]

Carleton,

According to my records all white tires were used prior to 1917. These early vehicles had white tires because rubber is naturally an off white color. It was discovered that a chemical call Carbon black would increase the rubbers strength and durability. The Carbon black also changes the rubber to black. As stated the tires were originally an off white or creme color. The market today demands an all white tire. Unfortunately, the white tires are not as hard as the black tires and are more prone to ozone and tend to dry out quicker. Although the white tires are roadworthy, most consumers who purchase the all white tires are going to show their vehicle only. You should not expect more than a 1000 miles on paved roads with the all white tires. Many go as far as to use tire boots or socks in order to protect the white tire while moving it. For a vehicle that is driven regularly we recommend a black tire due to the inherent strength found in the black rubber.

Sincerely,

Jess

[1937hd45]

Jess, Thanks for the white/black tire info. Where do the gray Michelin tires fit in to this discussion?

[Guest imported_Jess H.]

The gray tires fall under the same guidelines as the all white tires. The gray tires are actually closer to the natural color of rubber than the all whites. Again, they were primarily for vehicles built before 1917. The all gray do not have the Carbon black in them.

Thanks,

Jess

[Guest]

Thanks Jess,

I may mention that I never took issue with this phenomenon since it was handled by Coker very well and in all my dealings with them have never had cause for complaint.

[Guest imported_Jess H.]

Carleton,

Thank you for the kind words. We appreciate your business and look forward to the opportunity to serve you in the future.

Sincerely,

Jess

[Guest imported_PackardV8]

generally speaking, motorcycle tires should NOT be used on cars nor trailers etc. because the have a weaker side wall among other attributes. Of course, if u r only using the vehicle for very low speed and very light duty operation it should be ok.

[Guest imported_PackardV8]

Jess H. wrote:

"... Unfortunately, the white tires are not as hard as the black tires and are more prone to ozone and tend to dry out quicker. Although the white tires are roadworthy, most consumers who purchase the all white tires are going to show ..."

Well ok! MAYBE such a caption should conspicuously accompany any sales promotions, ads etc about these tires to save people like CW and myself from having to learn the hard way. Its not like we are not going to buy a set of tires from you. Its more like we DO NOT want to have to buy TWO sets from you when we need only one.