Whitewall tires
by: Discount Tire
Whatever happened to white wall tires? The white stripe that once confidently decorated the tires on a huge range of vehicles is seldom seen on vehicles rolling off today’s assembly lines.
But in our opinion, there’s still a place for this style icon from yesteryear. Whether you’re outfitting a classic ride or updating a contemporary vehicle with vintage styling, there’s something elegant and refined about a set of whitewall tires. But why were whitewalls even produced in the first place?
FORM FOLLOWS FUNCTION
The color of the first rubber tires used for automobiles in the early 1900s was far from the black that we see today. Their grayish-white color was the natural result of rubber mixed with common chemical compounds used at the time.
Early tire manufacturing saw improvements by leaps and bounds as it coincided with innovations in chemistry and engineering during the industrial revolution. One of these advances was to strengthen the rubber used in tires by adding zinc oxide to the formula. This had the happy side effect of making the finished tires bright white.
The next step in improving tires was to make them last longer, especially in the tread area. In the 1910s, carbon black was added to the rubber compound for this very reason. With a name like carbon black, it should come as no surprise that this material didn’t just make the tires last longer, it also turned them black.
And because many tire manufacturers wanted to reduce costs, they only used the black compound in the tread, leaving the sidewalls with their natural white compound. With that, the iconic whitewall tire was born.
WHITEWALLS BECOME A DESIRABLE UPGRADE
Over the next several decades, the two-tone appearance of whitewalls became a standard for luxury vehicles. And as happens, this insignia of luxury and refinement became an in-demand upgrade for vehicles across the board.
By the late 1950s, with additional improvements to tires and upgraded designs of vehicles, the width of the white stripe adorning tires’ sidewalls decreased in size. Though still considered a must-have for luxury vehicles for decades to come, this reduction in the size of the whitewall stripe signified the beginning of what was to be a downward trajectory not just in size but also in popularity for the white-striped legend.
WHITEWALLS FALL OUT OF FASHION
The move away from the fashion statement made with whitewall tires started with performance vehicles in the 1960s. These vehicles began by using a thinner stripe of white to match the aesthetic of speed.
For hot rods and muscle cars, whitewalls soon gave way to white letter tires or plain black sidewalls. This helped put more emphasis on the wheels themselves, usually a sport design in chrome, like the Torq Thrust from American Racing
On the other hand, nearly all luxury-class vehicles retained whitewalls into the 1990s. However, taking a cue from the aftermarket upgrades of many luxury car drivers, one by one the luxury car models began dropping whitewalls in lieu of larger luxury wheels and lower profile tires.
CLASSIC TIRES FOR YOUR CLASSIC CAR
Though new cars aren’t making use of whitewall tire designs, your classic vehicle doesn’t need to go without them.
Many popular automobiles from the bygone era of America’s automotive heyday have been retained, restored and even reproduced, and these cars just wouldn’t look right with tires that don’t match the period.
Coker Tire specializes in tires for classic vehicles and even provides options between radial and bias-ply construction. That means you can get extremely detailed in recreating not only the look but the function of your historic pride and joy:
Retaining the air of Luxury
A stalwart in the luxury wheel and tire marketplace is Vogue Tyre. They even lay claim to inventing (or helping to invent) whitewalls as we know them. Plus, they’ve refined them to bring a bit of classic style to today’s vehicles.
Vogue’s whitewalls (and white plus gold sidewalls) could be the perfect match for your luxury vehicle. Check out these new variations on the classic whitewall theme:
Make your modern car stand out
Depending on the size of the tires required for your vehicle, there may be some good options to install whitewalls, even on later model cars. If you want to add some classic luxury style or simply set your car apart from others like it on the road, consider these lines of whitewall tires:
- Cooper Trendsetter SE
- Hankook Optimo H724
- Milestar MS775
- Nexen Tire N Priz AH5
- Uniroyal Tiger Paw AWP II
Dress up your car with whitewalls at Discount Tire
If whitewalls are a necessity for your vehicle, look no further than Discount Tire. We have the selection to outfit your vehicle with the best whitewalls at the best price. Call or cruise over to your neighborhood Discount Tire store and we’ll get you taken care of!
When purchasing your new whitewall tires (and a matching set of period-appropriate rims), be sure to buy and book online to wait less time in-store!
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