Maybe Detroit isn't on your next vacation itinerary - or maybe it is, I'm not judging. In any case, it seems that tire enthusiasts would do well to make a stop there on their next trip, if only to see the giant Uniroyal tire, which has just celebrated its 60th anniversary. It's certainly not the best-known tourist site, but its kitschiness as well as its historical aspect make it a more interesting attraction than I thought before researching the subject.
Indeed, just off Interstate 94, a few miles from Detroit, you'll find the world's largest tire. Constructed of fiberglass and resin, it weighs over 11 tons and has a diameter of 24.4 meters. Yes, the structure is impressive, but perhaps the most surprising thing is how it ended up there!
New York, 1964
Older readers may remember 1964, when New York hosted the grandiose International Fair, famous for its Disney-built attractions. Wishing to leave its mark on the exhibition, the United States Rubber Company, forerunner of our Uniroyal, had this huge tire-shaped Ferris wheel built at a cost of $750,000. Located right next to the Transportation Pavilion, the tire was the perfect symbol of the explosion of the American car market in the 1960s.
Despite a busy 1964-1965 season, the New York authorities did not want to keep the Ferris wheel in Flushing Meadows Park. The tire manufacturer faces a dilemma: send its most ambitious project to the dump or relocate it. If you're reading this article today, it's because it has decided to preserve this part of its history near its headquarters in Allen Park, Michigan, just outside Detroit. Although it no longer accommodates passengers, the tire remains an emblem of the city's automotive history... and an excellent advertisement for Uniroyal. Even Michelin, which now owns the brand, continues to maintain and even improve the infrastructure around this important part of its history.
Uniroyal, today
In addition to its giant tire, Uniroyal continues to produce normal-sized tires that may be less impressive, but are more useful for everyday life. Since summer is approaching, why not mention the Power Paw A/S or the Tiger Päw Touring A/S, two of the brand's best-performing choices? Still want to know more about Uniroyal? I even recently published an article specifically on the subject!
