Construction and operation The structure was designed by
Hardesty & Hanover for both seasons of the fair. Rides initially cost 25¢, and was originally emblazoned with "U S ROYAL TIRES" on its sides. It had 24 barrel-shaped gondolas, each carrying up to 4 people, and could carry up to 96 passengers at once. It was driven by a 100 hp engine and sat atop a 40 ft (12.2 m) foundation.
Relocation When the fair ended in 1965,
US Rubber offered to donate the exhibit to the
City of New York or any other entity who wanted it, citing moving costs of $300,000. Later that year, the tire was eventually disassembled and shipped via 22 trucks to
Allen Park (a suburb of
Detroit), where it was reassembled without its passenger gondolas in 1966 as a static display outside US Rubber's Midwest corporate headquarters. Today it still stands tall as a symbol of Uniroyal's heritage and a Detroit landmark. On May 20, 2015, Uniroyal staged an event to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the tire for members of the Automotive Press Association and other guests, who toured its interior. The tire's
fiberglass cover was cleaned, painted, and modernized with a new sleek look. was placed in its tread as a promotion for Uniroyal's new NailGard puncture resistant tire. The nail was removed in 2003 and was donated to the city of Allen Park, to be auctioned on
eBay to raise funds for the Allen Park Historical Society programs and facilities. In 2003, the Giant Tire was renovated as part of Detroit's I-94 corridor revitalization project. The work included the replacement of 30 interior steel beams, asphalt and storm drain installation, and the replacement of the neon lettering with reflective lettering. ==See also==