Corky Coker, president of Coker Tire, the world’s largest supplier of collector vehicle tires, was recently named one of the top 50 North American automobile collectors of 2006 by Keith Martin’s Sports Car Market. 

“I am honored to be listed among some of the greatest collectors in the hobby by one of my favorite publications,” said Coker.  “It’s nice to know that there are others out there with as much passion as I for passing on the love of these beautiful vehicles to future generations.  I thank Sports Car Market for recognizing all of our efforts.”

Coker is a founding member and former chairman of the Automobile Restoration Market Organization, has served as Chairman of the Specialty Equipment Market Association (SEMA), and has received the National Hot Rod Association Lifetime Achievement Award, and the Meguiar’s Award.  He participates in collector driving events such as The Great Race, The Driven Dirty Tour, and sponsors his own event, the Coker Tire Challenge in his hometown of Chattanooga, Tenn.

As an avid supporter of the hobby of collector vehicles, including a personal collection of more than 70 hot rods, classic cars and 20 vintage American motorcycles, Coker regularly participates in car shows, cruises, rallies and swap meets.  He was quick to recognize collectors’ growing demands for “hard to find” tires that were no longer commercially available.  In the early 1970s he began to develop an astounding array of specialty tires for antique vehicles from the 1890s to current era muscle cars.  In less than three decades, Coker turned a small division of his father’s Chattanooga, TN. BFGoodrich dealership into what is today the world’s leading supplier of vintage and specialty tires.

Collectors on the list were not chosen based solely on size or value of their collection, but on “passion for and contribution to the car collecting hobby,” according to the publication.  These collectors “have raised the profile of the collector car hobby, supported and participated in concours and shows, or made it a better, safer, or more fulfilling pursuit.”

Sports Car Market, considered one of the premiere guides for the entire collector car market, listed Coker among such players as Clive Cussler, Thomas duPont, Ralph Lauren, Jay Leno, JW Marriott, Jr., and Jerry Seinfeld for his ongoing support of the hobby.

Coker Tire Company has over 20 foreign distributors and sells in over 30 countries worldwide. The company offers vintage bias-ply and nostalgia-style radial tires for collector vehicles from the late 1890s through the mid 1970s, including products for hot rods, sprint and dirt-track race cars and motorcycles. Coker Tire also markets vintage-style wheels and rims, novelty bicycles and unicycles.  Coker Tire recently initiated its Coker Golden Tire Award, an annual award to honor people who actively drive and show their collector cars. Contestants can submit entries, photos and documentations through the Coker website. Customers can visit http://www.coker.com to shop, request a catalog, and place an order or call (800)251-6336 for more information.