Driven by Passion. Built on Family. Trusted by Generations.
Antique Tyres is more than a supplier of classic, vintage and veteran tyres. It is a family story built on passion, preservation and a lifelong love of early motoring.
The story began with Alan and Noeline McKinnon, whose commitment to Australia’s classic car community helped shape Antique Tyres into one of the country’s most trusted names in specialist tyres and wheels. Alan’s passion for vintage cars started long before the business became what it is today. As a young automotive engineer in Melbourne, he spent more than 15 years restoring classic vehicles from his workshop in Northcote, developing a deep understanding of early motoring, originality and mechanical detail.
Alan’s restorations included Racing Austin 7s, a matching-number 1925 Alvis 12/50 Tourer, a 1924 Alvis 12/50 Ducksback, a 1934 MG P-Type, an Austin 7 Chummy and a Martin & King-bodied Alvis 12/50. These were not simply cars in a shed. They were part of family life, often seen on rallies with Noeline and their three children, and they reflected Alan’s belief that historic vehicles should be restored, driven and enjoyed.
In 1977, Alan acquired Antique Tyre Supplies, a small but growing business created to support the needs of Australia’s classic car community. At the time, finding the correct tyres for vintage and veteran vehicles was a real challenge. Alan saw an opportunity to do more than sell tyres. He wanted to help preserve automotive history by giving enthusiasts access to the correct products, backed by genuine knowledge and honest advice.
A defining moment came in 1978 when Alan travelled to the United States and formed a relationship with Coker Tire, the world’s leading name in vintage and classic tyres. Alan and Corky Coker shared a deep respect for motoring history, authenticity and tradition, and that connection became the foundation of a long-standing personal and professional relationship. To this day, the McKinnon and Coker families remain close, and Antique Tyres is proud to continue its long association with the Coker product range.
Over time, Antique Tyres has continued to build relationships with respected international manufacturers and suppliers. Today, the business is also an authorised Michelin Vintage dealer and the exclusive Australian agent for Vintage Tyres in the UK, further strengthening its ability to source specialist tyres for veteran, vintage, classic and historic vehicles.
Alan’s approach was always hands-on. He understood tyres from the ground up. He knew how the right size, tread, profile and sidewall could completely change the look, stance and feel of a classic car. That practical knowledge, combined with integrity and personal service, helped earn the trust of customers across Australia.
In 1998, Alan’s son Ben McKinnon joined the business, continuing the family legacy while bringing new energy, commercial focus and a modern outlook. Ben grew up around the cars, the rallies, the customers and the products, giving him a rare understanding of both the heritage and the future of the classic vehicle market.
Over the years, Ben has worked across all areas of the business, from sales and customer service to supplier relationships, product sourcing, fitment knowledge, purchasing, marketing and business development. His focus has been on strengthening international supplier relationships, reintroducing important tyre sizes and patterns, expanding the product range and ensuring Antique Tyres continues to meet the changing needs of restorers, collectors, workshops, clubs and enthusiasts.
While Antique Tyres has grown into one of the leading classic tyre and wheel suppliers in the Southern Hemisphere, it remains a small, experienced and highly personal team. Julie, our Office Manager, has been with the business for almost 20 years and is an important part of the day-to-day service, support and organisation that keeps everything running. Mitch, our Head of Sales and Customer Service, has been with Antique Tyres for over 15 years and brings deep product knowledge, practical advice and a genuine understanding of what customers need.
That long-term experience matters. When customers contact Antique Tyres, they are not dealing with a call centre or a generic tyre outlet. They are speaking with people who understand the products, know the vehicles, and care about helping each customer find the right fit, the right look and the right solution.
Since 2019, Antique Tyres has proudly grown the Kontio tyre brand in Australia. Kontio has become an important part of the range, offering high-quality classic-style whitewall tyres with modern radial construction. The growth of Kontio reflects the same approach that has guided the business for decades: finding products that suit the vehicles, the market and the people who use them.
In 2023, the next chapter began with the establishment of Staged Classic Wheels. Created to fill a gap in the market for classic, hot rod and custom wheel designs, Staged Classic Wheels brings together timeless styling, period-inspired proportions and careful product development. The range includes steel and alloy wheels designed specifically for classic cars, hot rods and custom builds, giving customers a complete tyre and wheel solution backed by the experience of Antique Tyres.
Today, Antique Tyres stocks a large range of tyre sizes and styles for vehicles from the veteran era through to pre-war tourers, post-war classics, 1950s cruisers, 1960s sports cars, muscle cars, hot rods, customs and classic motorcycles. Operating from Heidelberg Heights in Victoria, the business remains proudly family owned and is widely recognised as one of the leading classic tyre and wheel suppliers in the Southern Hemisphere.
For nearly five decades, Antique Tyres has grown from a passion-driven family business into a globally connected specialist supplier. But at its heart, the business remains true to the same values Alan and Noeline built it on: passion, people, service, knowledge and preservation.
Alan McKinnon laid the foundation. Ben McKinnon continues to build on it. And with a small, dedicated team behind it, Antique Tyres remains committed to helping classic vehicles stay on the road with the right fit, the right look and the right advice.