Coker Tire, the world’s largest supplier of collector vehicle tires, was presented the Automotive Supplier Award Saturday night in Philadelphia, with President and Chief Operating Officer Wade Kawasaki on-hand to accept the award. Described as the Academy Awards of the antique car trade, the 80th annual Antique Automobile Club of America awards banquet celebrated members of the club as well as the best of the best in service to the classic car hobby.
The Automotive Supplier Award, the newest award added to the AACA’s list of recognitions, is presented to a supplier or merchant of automotive restoration parts or components that upholds the originality of vehicles as they were delivered from the dealer. The award was established in 2015 by the Hornets Nest Region of Charlotte, North Carolina, to honor Dennis Carpenter — an innovator in providing original reproduction equipment Ford parts.
“The Antique Car Club of America is proud to have selected Coker Tire as our first-ever recipient of the Automotive Supplier Award,” said Steve Moskowitz, executive director of the Antique Automobile Club of America. “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. Without the production of these specialty tires, our hobby would not exist and we are grateful to the Coker family for their storied dedication to the hobby and to AACA. We are very proud to have had Harold Coker as our 1972 national president.”
Since 1958, the Coker Tire Co. has supplied collector vehicle enthusiasts with tires and wheels for many applications. With brands such as Firestone, Michelin, U.S. Royal and BFGoodrich, the product line at Coker Tire is filled with high-quality bias ply and radial tires.
“I am honored that Coker Tire has received the Automotive Supplier Award this year,” said Kawasaki. “We at Coker Tire are pleased to be acknowledged with this inaugural award by the longstanding and prestigious AACA. We hold the club and its members in the highest of regard and we want to thank them for choosing to recognize us with this special award.”
