Corky Coker drives his 1937 vintage Buick "Coker Special" during the 2006 Great Race as his wife, Theresa, navigates. The Great Race is a cross-country timed rally open only to pre-1959 antique and classic cars. The Cokers finished 25th overall this year.
(Photo: Coker Tire)"I just feel like this is one of those use-it-or-lose-it situations," says Coker. "It's our job as collectors and car enthusiasts to pass this love of chrome and rubber on to the next generation. That will never happen if we keep our classic cars hidden under cover in a garage."
Coker's plan takes a two-pronged approach, the first being his "Sunday Drive" initiative. Coker Tire is already outreaching to major car collections, auto museums and even private owners to open up their collections on Sundays free of charge for anyone who arrives in his or her own classic car.
"The idea is to get everybody out on the road on the same day and for them to have somewhere to go. Just like Sunday dinner used to be a huge family tradition, we'll be starting a new one. It gives everyone in the car 'family' a day to look forward to all week," says Coker.
The second part of Coker's plan to end the reign of "trailer queens" will be an annual award called the “Coker Golden Tire Award.” This award will honor two people annually who actively drive and show their collector cars and urge others to do the same. Whether it's using the car as daily transportation or for vacations or cross-country road-trips, contestants can submit photos and documentations to the Coker Tire Web site at www.coker.com, showing their efforts to further the hobby.
All makes and models are open to receive the award, from muscle cars, lowriders and hot rods, sports cars and exotics to concours-quality classics. The winners, judged by a panel of collector car VIPs, will receive an all-expenses paid trip to the Coker Tire headquarters in Chattanooga, TN, where they will receive their award, a tour of the Coker facilities and dinner with the Coker family.
(Source: Coker Tire Company Inc.)
