Favored tire's appearance and performance can shift design specs for custom car projects
Builders of custom cars may be receptive to viewing a tire dealer’s stock of designs while the latest endeavor is still in the planning stages. The appearance and performance attributes of a given tire can even steer aspects of the project-vehicle’s engineering.
“The tire choice is huge. If we cannot find the right size shoes we are dead in the water,” says Kevin King, president of Year One, Inc. in Braselton, Ga. The operation specializes in classic muscle cars, selling parts, accessories and services for General Motors, Ford and Chrysler vehicles along with presenting the annual “YearOne Experience” and other automotive events. The company also constructs showcars and racing vehicles.
“Tire sizes are an integral part of a build,” King notes, adding how “we start our projects based on wheels and tires sizes to make sure we can run BFGoodrich tires on the cars we are building….The tire choice and style keep the car real and not looking like a cartoon unless that is what you are after.”
Goodrich is a key Year One sponsor, and King says he appreciates the abilities of the company’s tire engineers. “Performance is key to ride-quality on all the cars we build. Of course a custom car has to be aesthetically appealing; however I feel the performance of a vehicle is equally as important. Style is just one piece of the puzzle – you must also have car that performs well on and off the road.”
In turn, Goodrich executives admire King’s contributions to the muscle car community. For more than 20 years, Year One has been a leader in the car customization industry and is the world’s largest 1964-1979 muscle car parts supplier, according to Richard Winchester, Goodrich’s field marketing manager. He was present at the recent YearOne Experience at Georgia’s Road Atlanta facility as King was awarded with a one-of-a-kind, specially carved tire featuring the logos of 19 enthusiast publications covering the performance and appearance segments.
“BFGoodrich has had the privilege of working with Kevin King and Year One for the past five years, and is pleased to honor him for his continued dedication to the custom car industry,” says Winchester. “I was able to attend my first YearOne Experience many years ago and I am as impressed with them today as I was back then.”
More than just a car show, the three-day event also includes drag racing, wet and dry autocross courses, track days and educational courses designed for the whole family, Winchester points out, praising it as “a gathering place for the best customized cars in the country.”
“We have over 1,000 cars and well over 10,000 people spread out all around Road Atlanta having a great time in their cars,” says King.
One Sept. 5-6, Year One and Hayes Automotive – one of Georgia’s largest networks of new vehicle dealerships – are teaming up to present the Hayes Automotive American Muscle Meet at Atlanta Dragway in Commerce, Ga. The event will include a large multi-make car show, drag racing, a swap meet, exhibition runs by popular Pro Stock drivers and additional activities geared toward the entire family.
For more information, visit www.yearone.com or www.bfgoodrichtires.com.
