Kelsey Tire - Keeping Automotive History on the Road
For more than 50 years, Kelsey Tire has helped collectors preserve the authenticity, character, and performance of classic automobiles.
At Kelsey Tire, our history is rooted in a deep love for vintage automobiles, an unwavering commitment to authenticity, and decades of quiet persistence in keeping motoring history alive. What began as a childhood fascination in a family workshop has grown into a cornerstone of the collector car industry. For over half a century, our mission has remained unchanged: to provide enthusiasts, restorers, and collectors with period-correct, high-quality tires that preserve the true character, historical integrity, and driving safety of classic vehicles.
1928–1950s: The Seeds of a Family Heritage
The story of Kelsey Tire long predates the official founding of the business. It began in 1928, when Paul Kelsey—father to founder John Kelsey—purchased a two-cylinder Maxwell roadster for five dollars at a local farm auction. That modest purchase marked the beginning of a lifelong family passion. Over the following decades, the Maxwell would serve as the cornerstone of a renowned family collection that eventually grew to include approximately 75 rare and vintage automobiles.
Growing up surrounded by historic machinery, John Kelsey absorbed the craft of automotive preservation from his earliest years. Working alongside his parents in the family workshop, he gained hands-on experience that went far beyond typical childhood hobbies. By the age of five, John was already learning to operate machine-shop equipment and assisting with the restoration of a 1906 Stanley Steamer. By age seven, he was behind the wheel operating the Stanley himself.
As the family collection expanded throughout the 1950s, John developed a keen eye for the finer nuances of early automotive engineering—particularly the intricate variations in historic tire, rim, and wheel designs. He quickly realized a growing problem within the restoration community: as these vehicles aged, finding safe, functional, and period-correct tires was becoming nearly impossible. Original rubber was deteriorating, and major manufacturers were shifting focus away from low-volume vintage sizes. This critical shortage seeded the idea that would eventually define John’s life work.
Paul Kelsey, behind the wheel of his Stuz Bearcat
Kelsey family’s collection of 75 vintage automobiles
The car that started it all – the Maxwell 2-cylinder Roadster
Our Guiding Principles
- A Three-Generation Legacy
We carry forward a proud family tradition started by Paul Kelsey and built by John Kelsey, now led by the second and third generations—Ann, Mary, and James—to ensure lasting continuity, deep expertise, and steadfast values. - Authenticity Without Compromise
We honor automotive history by utilizing original mold designs and historical specifications to manufacture true, period-correct tires that uphold the integrity of every restoration. - Unwavering Integrity
We treat every customer, partner, and enthusiast with honesty, transparency, and respect, building long-term relationships rooted in trust and reliable service. - American Manufacturing Excellence
We are proudly committed to producing our Goodyear Collector Series tires right here in the USA, ensuring high standards of craftsmanship, performance, and safety. - Preservation of Heritage
We view our work as more than just manufacturing rubber; we are custodians of automotive history, dedicated to keeping classic cars rolling for generations to come. - Shared Passion for the Automobile
As lifelong enthusiasts ourselves, we bring deep technical expertise, genuine care, and a shared love for classic cars to every conversation and order.
1960s: Education, Military Service, and Early Enterprise
John graduated from Camdenton High School in 1962 and enrolled in the School of Business & Public Administration at the University of Missouri. He pursued accounting, developing a sharp understanding of finance, inventory management, and business operations—skills that would later prove essential in building an enduring company.
After completing his studies, Behind John Kelsey’s lifelong dedication to the vintage automotive world was a devoted family that shared in his vision every step of the way. On June 11, 1966, John married his wife, Kathy Thompson, establishing their home in Camdenton, Missouri, and laying the foundation for both a growing family and a pioneering business. Throughout the company’s formative years—from John’s early days buying swap-meet inventory to establishing Kelsey Tire as an industry cornerstone—Kathy was a steadfast partner in his endeavors.
Together, they raised two daughters, Ann and Mary, who grew up immersed in the family’s deep appreciation for classic cars and heritage preservation. Today, carrying forward the passion and values instilled by their parents, Ann and Mary actively lead the multi-generational legacy alongside John’s grandson, James, ensuring that Kelsey Tire remains rooted in family tradition, technical expertise, and personal service.
Shortly after starting married life, John was drafted into the U.S. Army during the height of the Vietnam War. Serving with the esteemed 82nd Airborne Division, he applied his business background in a finance office as a sergeant. His military service was marked by leadership and distinction, earning him decorations including the Bronze Star, the Army Commendation Medal, and the Good Conduct Medal.
Upon returning home in late 1969, John immediately channeled his veteran separation pay into his passion for automobiles. He purchased a used pickup truck and bought an inventory of blemished Armstrong tires, driving them to a regional Kansas swap meet where he sold them for $12.50 each. He reinvested the earnings, repeating the process and steadily building a customer base among regional hobbyists. During this time, John and Kathy also partnered with St. Louis tire supplier Morton Hyman, who became both a trusted business associate and a lifelong mentor in the tire trade.
L to R: John, Ann, Mary and Kathy Kelsey
1970–1980s: Founding Kelsey Tire, Goodyear Partnership, and the Bedford Line
In 1970, recognizing that the lack of quality vintage rubber was holding back the entire restoration movement, John directly approached the Goodyear Tire & Rubber Company. He inquired about purchasing and distributing their discontinued line of antique tires. Goodyear initially declined, having phased out those low-demand molds to focus on modern mass production.
Undeterred by the initial refusal, John recognized the market’s need and pushed forward. In 1971, he formally incorporated Kelsey Tire in Camdenton, Missouri. Operating with relentless focus, John continued building relationships within the industry and demonstrating to major tire manufacturers that the classic car market was vibrant, passionate, and growing.
Through continued dialogue, professional persistence, and proof of demand, John ultimately convinced Goodyear of the viability of reproducing historic tire lines. This led to a landmark partnership where Kelsey Tire became the exclusive authorized distributor for Goodyear’s historic tire molds. Expanding his catalog to cover every era of motoring history, John introduced his private brand Bedford tire line in 1974, offering high-quality, period-authentic options designed specifically to serve antique and brass-era automobile enthusiasts.
Duesenberg Model J Murphy Convertible Coupe riding on 700/17 Bedford 3 3/4″ whitewall tires
1990s–2000s: Made in USA Quality, Preserving Goodyear History, and Hall of Fame Honors
As the vintage car community matured into a global industry, the standards for restoration reached unprecedented heights. Judges at elite events such as the Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance and National Corvette Restorers Society (NCRS) meets demanded complete historical accuracy—down to the exact tread pattern, sidewall lettering, and rubber compound.
Kelsey Tire met this demand head-on. John invested heavily in recreating factory-correct tire tooling using original Goodyear blueprints and specifications. This dedication culminated in the Goodyear Collector Series, a line of period-correct tires proudly made in the USA. These exacting reproductions include iconic lines such as:
- Original Equipment Whitewalls: Period-correct whitewall widths and tread designs for luxury classics of the 1930s through the 1950s.
- Corvette & Muscle Car Classics: Meticulous reproductions of legendary performance tires like the Goodyear Power Cushion, Speedway Blue Streak, and Polyglas series.
- Vintage Radial Technology: Engineering modern radial construction inside classic sidewall aesthetics to offer collectors improved ride safety without compromising historical looks.
John’s lifelong commitment to preserving automotive history earned him the ultimate respect from his peers. In 2009, John Kelsey was inducted into the prestigious Tire Industry Association (TIA) Hall of Fame. He was nominated by Robert Keegan, chairman and CEO of Goodyear
His contributions were further celebrated when the MTIA board and leadership inducted him into the Missouri Tire Industry Association (MTIA) Hall of Fame posthumously in 2024, cementing his place alongside the legends of the tire industry.
2010s–Present: Carrying the Legacy Forward
Entering its fifth decade of operation, Kelsey Tire continued to refine its product offerings while maintaining its core commitment to personal service and uncompromising quality. What began with Paul Kelsey’s five-dollar Maxwell in 1928, and was built by John’s vision in 1971, has stood the test of time as an enduring multi-generational business.
Daughters Mary and Ann at the 2024 MTIA Hall of Fame induction ceremony. They accepted the award on behalf of John Kelsey, who passed away in 2023.
Today, John’s daughters, Ann and Mary, alongside his grandson, James, proudly carry on his legacy. Working alongside the family, they ensure that the same foundational values—deep product knowledge, historical fidelity, and personal customer relationships—remain at the heart of Kelsey Tire.
Our Commitment Today
We understand that a tire on a classic automobile is more than just rubber—it is the direct connection between a piece of rolling history and the open road.
Whether you are restoring a brass-era antique, a classic cruiser, or an award-winning muscle car, our family brings decades of technical knowledge, historical accuracy, and genuine passion to every order. Made right here in the USA, our Goodyear Collector Series tires carry on a tradition of quality that honors our past while keeping automotive history rolling for generations to come.
Keeping the family business rolling, James, grandson of John Kelsey, works in the Kelsey Tire warehouse. He represents the third generation of the Kelsey family dedicated to the specialty tire industry.
