He sold vintage tires, which then represented less than five percent of the company’s total business, out of a 500 square foot area of the retail center. Corky determined early on that he would have to be his own best source of vintage tread. He bought molds from original tire makers if they still had them. He literally searched the world for old tire molds. He traveled to South America, the Philippines and Australia to acquire molds from old factories. He was able to reproduce molds from drawings when the originals were long since lost. Today, Coker Tire’s antique tire division accounts for 95 percent of the business and is the world’s largest and most prominent supplier of antique and classic tires for automobiles, trucks and motorcycles.

Coker, whose life-long nickname “Corky” originates from a character of the newspaper comic strip Gasoline Alley, served as President of the Tennessee Tire Dealers and Re-Treaders Association in 1992. He is a founding member and former chairman of the Automobile Restoration Market Organization (ARMO) and was elected to its Hall of Fame in 1999. Corky served on the Board of Directors and Executive Committee of the Specialty Equipment Market Association (SEMA) for over twelve years, and served as SEMA’s Chairman of the Board from 2003 - 2005. Corky is also a life member of the Antique Automobile Club of America (AACA) and holds membership in numerous collector clubs including the Horseless Carriage Club of America, Antique Motorcycle Club of America, Cushman Club of America, and the Antique Truck Historical Society.

Corky Coker is widely regarded as an expert on collecting and restoring antique automobiles and motorcycles. Most recently Corky was honored by receiving the Meguiar’s Award as the 2004 Collector Car Person of the Year, 2005 NHRA Lifetime Achievement Award, and 2005 ARMO Person of the Year.

Extremely active in politics and electioneering in East Tennessee, Coker has served the Hamilton County Republican Party in numerous capacities, and has been active in recruiting candidates, fundraising, and designing and implementing campaign plans for numerous local, state and federal officials including U. S. Congressman Zach Wamp.

Having served in numerous capacities with the Cherokee Area Council, Boy Scouts of America, Corky was honored with the Silver Beaver award, the BSA’s highest volunteer honor. He is a Distinguished Past President (1985-86) of the Chattanooga-Brainerd Kiwanis Club and received the Chattanooga Area Chamber of Commerce Small Business Person of the Year award in 1995. In 1996, the Small Business Administration selected Coker to represent the State of Tennessee as its Person of the Year.

A leader in humanitarian efforts, Coker has served on short-term mission trips to Belize, Central America and to the Caribbean Christian Center for the Deaf in Granville, Jamaica and to the Chosen Children Orphanages in Managua, Nicaragua. He served on the Board of Directors for Chosen Children Ministries and Brand of the Cross Ministries, a music ministry to youth and rodeo cowboys.

In addition to his interest in classic and collector automobiles, Coker enjoys playing his 5 string Banjo when he is not riding his tractor or one of his antique motorcycles. Corky and wife, Theresa, have two children: daughter Casey, and son Cameron.