Purpose of white sidewalls on tires?

[jtvang125]

Saw a really old and I mean really old truck this morning. The sidewalls on the tires were all completely white. I was just wondering what the purpose of these white sidewalls were for. Even today there are a few cars that still has a white ring on the sidewalls as well.

 

[jimbob200521]

I think it's just for looks, but I could be wrong. I'm sure someone here knows for sure.

 

[FoBoT]

it looks cool

 

[xanis]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Whitewall_tire

Whitewall tires are tires that have a stripe of white rubber on the outer sidewalls. The original whitewalls featured an entirely white sidewall. Modern whitewall tires often have a thin white stripe, or white raised lettering identifying the tire manufacturer and tire model. Such tires were made with a full strip of white rubber under the black. The raised white letters were revealed by buffing the cured tire sidewall. The black covering strip was made of Neoprene (polychloroprene) to avoid staining.

Classic vehicles have usually been optioned with wide whitewalls - it was popular during the pre and post-war era, only to resurface in the 1970s as a limosine trademark and within the pimpmobile culture. Although wide whitewalls are rare on modern automobiles, they are still manufactured by specialty outlets and/or classic car restoration companies such as Coker Tire and Vogue Tyre Company. Some companies manufacture wide whitewall inserts - the Portawall inserts are usually sold through VW Beetle restoration companies.

Whitewalls were popular on classic cars, lowrider and Cadillacs. Modern trends toward more minimal styling, and large rims favoring low-profile tires leave little room for a whitewall.

 

[ArchCenturion]

I would assume it is just cosmetic.

 

[GuitarDaddy]

Gangsta baby, Gangsta!

 

[dug777]

They look pimpin

 

[SVT Cobra]

Usually on classic cars.

 

[CVSiN]

Originally posted by: jtvang125
Saw a really old and I mean really old truck this morning. The sidewalls on the tires were all completely white. I was just wondering what the purpose of these white sidewalls were for. Even today there are a few cars that still has a white ring on the sidewalls as well.

Whitewalls... were just stylish....
just like raised white letters... and you still pay extra for that "cool"

 

[AbsolutDealage]

Classic vehicles have usually been optioned with wide whitewalls - it was popular during the pre and post-war era, only to resurface in the 1970s as a limosine trademark and within the pimpmobile culture.

LOL... I'm surprised that hasn't been flagged yet.

 

[Metron]

Red Line tires were also popular on performance cars in the 60's... same idea, just red.

 

[AmpedSilence]

the word 'stately' comes to mind

 

[tommywishbone]

Super Pimp

 

[JulesMaximus]

It's so your car can mark its territory by rubbing it off on curbs. You know, kind of like cats do?

 

[letdown427]

P
I
M
P
E
R
I
S
H

 

[l6873]

Originally posted by: AbsolutDealage

Classic vehicles have usually been optioned with wide whitewalls - it was popular during the pre and post-war era, only to resurface in the 1970s as a limosine trademark and within the pimpmobile culture.

LOL... I'm surprised that hasn't been flagged yet.

Why?

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pimpmobile

 

[mugs]

Originally posted by: jtvang125
Saw a really old and I mean really old truck this morning. The sidewalls on the tires were all completely white. I was just wondering what the purpose of these white sidewalls were for. Even today there are a few cars that still has a white ring on the sidewalls as well.

What's the purpose of the 19" deep dish chrome wheels kids like to put on their cars? For some reason they think it looks good.

Same here.

 

[dxkj]

mayonaise bling bling

 

[dxkj]

http://www.scooterworks.com/images/Product_Images/std/tww8sk-alt.jpg

 

[woodie1]

Originally posted by: Metron
Red Line tires were also popular on performance cars in the 60's... same idea, just red.

Goodyear named their ho-po tires bluestreak. They had a really thin blue line.

 

[chr6]

Originally posted by: GuitarDaddy
Gangsta baby, Gangsta!

 

[Toastedlightly]

Fo-sho! I have a 77 Caprice Classic that has white walls.. I recently shined them up (I was bored!). I now have like 1000k ladies in my stable.

 

[AbAbber2k]

Originally posted by: dug777
They look pimpin

 

[archiloco]

there is a time and a place for everything.....white walls belong on classic cars, and that's about it...

 

[Golgatha]

Originally posted by: Xanis
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Whitewall_tire

Whitewall tires are tires that have a stripe of white rubber on the outer sidewalls. The original whitewalls featured an entirely white sidewall. Modern whitewall tires often have a thin white stripe, or white raised lettering identifying the tire manufacturer and tire model. Such tires were made with a full strip of white rubber under the black. The raised white letters were revealed by buffing the cured tire sidewall. The black covering strip was made of Neoprene (polychloroprene) to avoid staining.

Classic vehicles have usually been optioned with wide whitewalls - it was popular during the pre and post-war era, only to resurface in the 1970s as a limosine trademark and within the pimpmobile culture. Although wide whitewalls are rare on modern automobiles, they are still manufactured by specialty outlets and/or classic car restoration companies such as Coker Tire and Vogue Tyre Company. Some companies manufacture wide whitewall inserts - the Portawall inserts are usually sold through VW Beetle restoration companies.

Whitewalls were popular on classic cars, lowrider and Cadillacs. Modern trends toward more minimal styling, and large rims favoring low-profile tires leave little room for a whitewall.

ROFL! Pimpmobile culture?!