ALLEN PARK, Mich. — The Giant Uniroyal Tire, an iconic landmark on Interstate 94 near Detroit, turned 60 on April 22.
The 80-foot tall tire — which "signals home to area residents and welcomes visitors to the Motor City," Uniroyal said — was first built as a Ferris wheel for the 1964-65 World's Fair in Queens, N.Y., and then moved to Detroit in 1965.
The giant tire also "symbolizes Uniroyal's history of making quality, dependable tires for more than 130 years," the company said.
Group Michelin purchased Uniroyal Goodrich Corp. in 1990 and manufactures a portfolio of tires under the Uniroyal brand name.
"For decades, the Giant Uniroyal Tire has brought smiles to the faces of many people," Uniroyal Brand Director Michelle Grim said.
"As a Detroit native myself, I am among those who enjoy the sight of the landmark that embodies the endurance, grit and automotive industry ingenuity that is rooted in the city of Detroit and also in Uniroyal tires. At Uniroyal, we take pride in the giant tire's history and plan to maintain it for future generations.
The 12-ton structure is largest model tire ever built. It's interior is 120,756 cubic feet with a 6-inch tread depth. It was designed by Shreve, Lamb and Harmon, the firm that also designed the Empire State Building.
Michelin offered a timeline of the giant tire:
- 1964: Built for 1964-65 World's Fair in Queens, it carried more than 2 million riders during its time as a 96-passenger Ferris wheel.
- 1965: Shipped by train in 188 sections to Detroit, where it was reassembled in four months and placed permanently at the Uniroyal sales office on I-94.
- 1994: Updated with neon lighting and new hubcap.
- 1998: Modified to include a giant embedded nail, to promote Uniroyal's self-sealing NailGard tire.
- 2003: Renovated as part of I-94 corridor revitalization effort. Uniroyal invested nearly $1 million to replace 30 steel interior beams, install asphalt and storm drains, paint the exterior, apply reflective lettering and make other upgrades.
- 2015: Hosted the Automotive Press Association for a 50th anniversary event.
