Arnie Sperling, Los Angles tires icon and former co-owner of Globe Tire, has died. He was 74.
Sperling died last week after fighting a two and a half year battle with cancer. He became co-owner of Globe Tire when he and his brother, Stan, bought the business from their father, Al, in 1969.
Arnie, Stan and one of their partners, Jay Goldberg, grew the business until it peaked at 18 stores. The stores served everyone from Hollywood stars to Dodgers and Lakers players. The stores were part of the Independent Tire Dealers Group (ITDG), said Chris Barry, the group’s senior sales director and longtime friend of Arnie.
“I have had the pleasure to call on Arnie for close to 25 years, and I loved each and every meeting with Arnie” Chris said. “It would always start with the snow report as Arnie was an avid snow skier in Mammoth Mountain, and he also loved Utah, Then, the conversation would automatically go to UCLA football and basketball, and we would always bash the Bruins but then admit that we both loved to watch each and every game, win or lose. Arnie was a great sounding board as he knew each and every program inside and out and always gave me great advice.”
Barry said Arnie was one of the founding fathers of ITDG and instrumental in building the group’s structure. He was a shareholder with ITDG for 24 years and very active in the California Tire Dealers Association (CTDA). He said Arnie and his business partners sold Globe Tire about two years ago, when Arnie retired.
Arnie was an active member in his beloved community of Pacific Palisades, California, Barry said. He loved to travel and ski and loved fine food, music and art. He is survived by his wife, Lynn, of 49 years.
