Alternative to COKER?

[Detonator]

Seems like a real monopoly to me. Anywhere else to go for bias ply whitewalls?

[FatRat]

Have you tried Diamond Back? I know they have radials, but I'm not sure if they have bias ply.

[Nick32vic]

I got a diamond back catalog, i was reading it and they dont like to sell bias ply due to safety issues. So they dont carry them.

Nick

[Detonator]

Yeah, I looked Diamondback up on the web and it looks like radials only. I read somewhere that the Securities and Exchange Commission was investigating Coker because of its choke hold on the classis car tire market.

[kustomkoupe]

universal tire in hershey PA...i got my firestones there...im not sure on the number but im sure you can find it online somewhere?

i just drove there and got them..onmly about 15 miles from me

zach

[kustomkoupe]

www.universaltire.com (http://www.universaltire.com)

[SwitchBlade327]

someone posted this place awhile back
http://www.wallacewade.com/index.htm

[VespaJay]

There's always the low-buck DIY route. Check out these two methods:

1) Buy a set of cheap thin whitewalls, and grind them wider.
Grinding Whitewalls To Make 'Em Wider (http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/showflat.php?Cat=&Number=235268&page=0&view=collap sed&sb=5&o=&fpart=all&vc=1)

2) Use a particular type of flexible Krylon paint and make any tire as wide a white as you want.
Painting Tires To Make Your Own Whitewalls (http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/showflat.php?Cat=&Board=UBB1&Number=277791&Forum=A ll_Forums&Words=whitewalls&Match=Entire%20Phrase&S earchpage=0&Limit=75&Old=3months&Main=277791&Searc h=true#Post277791)

[TV]

Try Lister tires they have great looking wide whites in good sizes. And the tread has a good look.--TV http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/cool.gif

[Cadillacin Marcus]

I don't know why you wouldnt want to use Coker..?? They are the best!! in quality and service!! I have talked to Mr Coker personally on the phone,hell of a down to earth guy who loves cars!! you really get what you pay for and if you arent satisfied they take car of you..No Bullshit!!

[Grumpy]

Those universal tires are also cokers by the looks of the ones I pulled up.
I'm not sure if all, but most of cokers tires are built right near me here in Ohio by Denman Tire. Sound familiar?
they also make Ground hawg, and other popular 4X4 tires.
I still had to get my cokers from coker, even though the warehouse is 10 minutes away http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/confused.gif
Not that any of my ramblings has anything to do with this!

[Roadsters.com]

I've never heard anything about Coker that wasn't positive.

I don't understand how a company spending a fortune to tool up to produce obsolete parts could be considered to be a monopoly any more than Goodyear is a "monopoly" by being the only manufacturer of those bitchin' Goodyear Blue Streak Sports Car Special tires.

If anyone has any questions about Coker products, they might be better addressed to David Coker. My experience has shown him to be a car guy, a professional, and a gentleman. David's E-mail address is dcoker@coker.com

Dave
http://www.roadsters.com/

[Cadillacin Marcus]

Exactly what i was trying to say, but better versed.. http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/cool.gif http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/smile.gif

[4t64rd]

I picked up a Hemmings and the last 3 pages had tires

Universal Tire (http://www.universaltire.com)

Kelsey Tire (http://www.kelseytire.com)

Lucas Automotive - 1-800-952-4333 CA or 1-800-735-0166

Examples 5.00x15 to 5.60x15 bias ply wide whites

Coker: 560-15 $101 (Firestone 2.75"), 500-15 $87 (Bridgestone 2"ww), 590-15(Bridgestone 2"ww) $97

Universal: 560-15 $101 (Firestone 2.75")

Lucas: 560-15 $75 (Denman 2.25")

[burger]

[ QUOTE ]
Seems like a real monopoly to me.

[/ QUOTE ]

Funny you should mention that. There's a class action law suit pending against them for squeezing a smaller manufacturer of vintage Firestone tires out of the market.


Ed

PS -- Look as hard as you might, I think you'll end up buying your tires from them, directly or indirectly. Unless I'm mistaken, they're the ONLY producer of vintage BFG and Firestone tires.

PPS -- All that being said, I've received nothing but good service from them and would buy from them again.

[Roadsters.com]

[ QUOTE ]
There's a class action law suit pending against (Coker) for squeezing a smaller manufacturer of vintage Firestone tires out of the market.

[/ QUOTE ]

If possible, please post any links related to this at any point in the future.

Les Schwab's autobiography, which as far as I know is only available to company employees as part of their training, explains how and why he started his business, first by retreading tires, because the big tire companies made things difficult for small tire stores. If a copy of his book ever surfaces, it's an exceptionally good book to read.

Dave
http://www.roadsters.com/

[chopolds]

Never heard anything but good about Coker? You've got to be kidding!!!!!
First, read about all the complaints about their WWW radials. Turning brown, developing bubbles, too out of round to balance out. I've been buying the Goodrich brand ones, cause of all the problems with the Coker brand.
I ordered a set of 4 steel rims from Coker, along with a set of WWW radials for my 46 Chevy. It was supposed to take 4-6 weeks. At 6 weeks I called, not ready, have to wait another 2 weeks. At 8 weeks I called. Not ready, gotta wait another 2 weeks. These are just custom offset steel wheels, in primer, no special coatings or anything....pu the centers in the hoop, and weld'em up! After about 18 weeks, they finally came. Absolute shit service.

[burger]

[ QUOTE ]
If possible, please post any links related to this at any point in the future.

[/ QUOTE ]

Dave,

http://www.idahobizlaw.com/summaries/Lucas_Automotive_%20Engineering_%20Inc_v_Bridgesto ne.htm

http://0-pubs.bna.com.pegasus.law.columbia.edu/ip/BNA/Atr.NSF/0/e55e2062a7f1e60385256b3d00780733?OpenDocument


Ed

[Detonator]

I've bought some BFG and Firestone bias plys from Coker in the past and, as Ed says, had good customer service -- and good product service. Their ww radials , on the other hand, are a different story. A lot of woodie guys I know have put these on their cars, and the horror stories have been endless. You've read them here as well. When I heard about this "monopoly" suit, I just thought there might be a "little guy" somewhere, maybe even a HAMBer, I could work with. Thanks for these links.

[Roadsters.com]

I wasn't aware of any of this. Thanks for correcting me.

Dave
http://www.roadsters.com/