Photo above: Watercolor illustration of the U.S. Rubber Co's (US Royal Tires) "Giant Tire" Ferris Wheel at the 1964 New York World's Fair.

"The Uniroyal Giant Tire was created by the United States Rubber Company for the 1964 New York World's Fair, where it functioned as a Ferris wheel. Since 1966 it has served as a static display in Allen Park, Michigan, alongside Interstate 94, between the Southfield Freeway interchange and Outer Drive overpass." (wikipedia)

"The tire has a diameter of 80 feet (24.4 m) and weighs 12 short tons (11 t), is anchored in 24 feet (7.3 m) of concrete and steel, and can withstand hurricane-force winds. The exterior tire tread is 6 inches (15 cm) deep, with an interior volume of 120,576 cubic feet (3,414.3 m3). It is not made of rubber, but of a Uniroyal-developed polyester resin reinforced with glass fiber, which makes it flame resistant.

"It is the largest non-production tire scale model ever built and one of the world's largest roadside attractions

Photo: World's Largest Tire Sculpture - world record in Allen Park, Michigan. Photo: MJCdetroit at English Wikipedia

"It only makes sense then that the Uniroyal Giant Tire, an 80 foot high, 12 ton wheel which doubled as a Ferris wheel should have debuted at the 1964 New York World’s Fair during the height of America’s love affair with the car. The giant Uniroyal Tire held 24 gondolas each carrying four people around the tire, all powered by a 100 hp motor. The interior of the tire is some 120,576 feet and were the tire to actually fit on a car, the car would be over 200 feet high, "the Atlas Obscura reports.

"Designed by the firm that designed the Empire state building, the Uniroyal tire received over two million visitors while on display at the fair, including Jacqueline Kennedy, the Kennedy children, and the Shah of Iran.

"At the end of the fair, rather than being destroyed, the tire was dismantled and shipped in 188 sections via train to a Uniroyal sales office in Allen Park, Michigan. However the Ferris Wheel mechanics were stripped off the tire, making it simply a huge tire standing along Michigan’s I-94."

Photo: World's Largest Tire Sculpture - world record in Allen Park, Michigan. Photo: Mike Barcia

"The Statue of Liberty has its fans, but perhaps a more fitting giant symbol of America stands beside I-94, near the Detroit Metro Airport. It is the World's Largest Tire and it is an automobile tire, thank you, not a tire to some fruit-loopy pivoting windmill or solar cell," the Roadside America reports.

"We believe that the tire has a patriotic destiny. Let's go, American auto industry! Build three more of these big babies (and maybe a spare), attach them to a suitably proportioned car, air-drop the juggernaut overseas, and show the rest of the world what the U.S.A. is all about!"

"The biggest tire in the world weighs in at a whopping 12 tons and stands at 80-feet tall. It is so big that if it were fit on an actual car, that car would need to be 200 feet high," the  Silly America reports.

"The giant tire was designed by architectural firm Shreve, Lamb & Harmon (the same company that designed the Empire state building) and isn’t actually made of rubber, instead it is made out of polyester resin reinforced with glass fiber.'

"The Uniroyal Tire is HUGE. Not really worth going searching for, but if you happen to be in the area, or if you can do a slight detour to go past it, it is definitely worthwhile. However, a drive-by provides a good photo opportunity, and kids will love it!!

" It is impressive and I guess appropriate for the Detroit area to have such a symbol. I'm glad we spent the few extra minutes to view this."

"It is impressive to see from car. The tire is huge and well maintained. Google guides to to save area to take a photo."