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White wall tires

Posted by Tire & Wheel Specialist on Jun 8th 2016

White wall tires

The status of whitewall tires versus blackwall tires was originally the reverse of what it later became, with fully black tires requiring a greater amount of carbon and less effort to maintain a clean appearance these were considered the premium tire; since the black tires first became available they were commonly fitted to many luxury cars through the 1930s. During the late-1920s gleaming whitewalls contrasted against darker surroundings were considered a stylish, but high-maintenance feature. The popularity of whitewalls as an option increased during the 1930s. On April 6, 1934, Ford introduced whitewall tires as an $11.25 option on all its new cars.Automobile designs incorporating stream lining eventually rendered the two-sided whitewall obsolete.

Although wide whitewalls are virtually nonexistent as a factory option on modern automobiles, they are still manufactured in original bias-ply or radial form by specialty outlets. Some companies manufacture wide whitewall inserts.

Modern trends toward more minimal styling, and large wheels favoring very low-profile tires leave little room for a whitewall.