Owner Corky Coker began collecting cars in 1974 at the age of 20. He took out a $5,000 bank loan to purchase, restore, and sell cars for a profit. With each

 successful sale, he repaid the loan and repeated the process until he no longer needed financial assistance. Corky started with vehicles such as a 1958 Pontiac Wagon, a 1966 Ford F100, John Deere tractors, and Pontiac GTOs—essentially, anything he could restore and flip for profit.

 

In 1958, Harold Coker, Corky’s father, founded Coker Tire Company in Athens, Tennessee. As an antique car enthusiast, Harold became the go-to resource among friends and locals for antique car tire needs. Recognizing the high demand for these specialty tires, Corky began sourcing and acquiring original molds from around the world to reproduce them. His passion for vintage cars kept him attuned to customer interests, and he became known for proudly being the go-to man for any vintage automobile and motorcycle tires and wheels.

 

The Coker Museum evolved organically over time. What began as a collection of Corky’s cars displayed in the tire showroom or on the ground floor of a vintage building next door gradually expanded. Initially, when customers or friends visited Coker Tire to purchase tires or wheels, they'd stroll around the showroom to admire the cars and motorcycles on display. Due to limited space in the showroom, vehicles were also showcased on the shipping dock and at the back of the tire warehouse. As interest grew and more people requested to see the vintage vehicles stored in the warehouse, Coker began offering tours twice daily to meet customer demand.

 

During his time as owner of Coker Tire, Corky Coker acquired the famed Honest Charley Speed Shop. In 2018, Corky sold Coker Tire Company but retained ownership of Honest Charley Speed Shop, its buildings, and his personal collection of vintage vehicles & motorcycles. He relocated his extensive car collection to the next door building on Chestnut Street, which now houses The Coker Museum. This location was previously home to solely Honest Charley Speed Shop. Notably, Honest Charley Card was the second inductee into The SEMA Hall of Fame, while Corky himself was later honored as the 123rd inductee.

 

The Coker Museum and Honest Charley Speed Shop now are housed at the same location in the historic Southside of Chattanooga at 1309 Chestnut Street.