Tyre trims are the decorative sidewall and rim enhancements that come up principally on cars styled around the visual conventions of the 1950s and 1960s, whitewall sidewalls being the headline category. Whitewall tyres were a popular styling option in period, particularly in North America, and were available from the factory on some applications, so modern reproduction trims allow owners restoring these cars to recreate the original appearance without the cost or commitment of sourcing dedicated whitewall tyres in increasingly limited classic sizes. The trims fit over the sidewall of standard tyres, transforming the appearance of the car, particularly on chrome-bumper cars where the combination of wire or steel wheels and white sidewall detail references the classic sports car aesthetic of the period.
Whitewall & Whiteband Sidewall Trim
Whitewall sidewall trim is a separate ring of white rubber or plastic that fits around the outer face of the tyre sidewall, presenting a clean white band against the dark tyre body, held in place by spring tension between the tyre sidewall and the wheel rim. The visual effect is the classic whitewall appearance associated with cars of the 1950s and 1960s, stocked in the widths and diameters used across the range, typically a wide whitewall and a narrower whiteband for a more subtle version of the same effect, with the diameter matched to the tyre fitted, the original cross-ply sizes having largely given way to modern radial equivalents that the trims must suit. The trims can be fitted to both steel disc and wire wheel cars, and are particularly effective at concours events and in period photographs where the overall aesthetic of the car is being judged.
Fitting & Care
Whitewall trim fits during tyre fitting, positioned over the tyre during the fitting operation, with the tyre bead then seated against the rim with the trim in position, work that is straightforward for a tyre fitter but not something to attempt without the right equipment as the bead-seating operation requires proper tyre-fitting machinery. Once fitted, the whitewall stays in position during normal driving and removes the need for regular maintenance, as there is no separate whitewall rubber to keep clean, the trim being a stable plastic compound that resists road dirt and tyre-mark contamination, with care being a periodic clean with a mild detergent and a soft brush. The whitewall trim outlasts the tyre itself by a substantial margin and can be transferred to a new tyre when the original is renewed.
Rim Trim Rings
Separately from the whitewall sidewall trims, tyre or rim trim rings are polished chrome or stainless steel rings that fit around the outer edge of the wheel rim, providing a bright highlight between the tyre sidewall and the wheel face, sitting in the rim gutter on Rostyle or plain steel wheels and held in place by spring tension, available in chrome and stainless steel in the rim diameters used across the range. The visual effect is a clean, defined border that frames the tyre and lifts the appearance of the entire wheel, and trim rings should be checked for security periodically, as vibration can work them loose over time and a ring that detaches at speed becomes a hazard, the spring tension needing to be sufficient to hold the ring firmly over rough surfaces, with re-tensioning or replacement needed if a ring loosens repeatedly. The technical team is available to advise on the right specification for a particular car or restoration.