Antique car club honors Coker Tire

PHILADELPHIA (Feb. 22, 2016) — The Antique Automobile Club of America (AACA) honored Coker Tire Co. recently with its inaugural Automotive Supplier Award, presented at the club's 80th annual awards banquet in Philadelphia.

The Automotive Supplier Award is presented to a supplier or merchant of automotive restoration parts or components that uphold the originality of vehicles as they were delivered from the dealer.

The award was established in the Hornets Nest Region of Charlotte, N.C., to honor Dennis Carpenter — an innovator in providing original reproduction equipment Ford parts.

Chattanooga, Tenn.-based Coker Tire has supplied collector vehicle enthusiasts with tires and wheels for many applications since 1958. Company founder Harold Coker was president of the AACA in 1972.

“Without the production of these specialty tires, our hobby would not exist,” AACA Executive Vice President Steve Moskowitz said at the presentation. “Our board could not think of a more worthy firm, as the name Coker Tire comes immediately to mind when talking about the vast history of the hobby.”

Wade Kawasaki, Coker Group president and COO, said the company is “pleased to be acknowledged with this inaugural award by the long-standing and prestigious AACA. We hold the club and its members in the highest of regards and we want to thank them for choosing to recognize us with this special award.”

The AACA — which celebrated its 80th anniversary at the group's annual national awards banquet — said its mission is the “preservation and enjoyment of automotive history of all types.” In existence since 1935, the association helps organize national meets and tours as well as regional events.