Uniroyal is paying big bucks to pump up the look of Detroit's biggest landmark.

The Uniroyal giant tire, which sits along Interstate 94 in Allen Park, just a few miles from Detroit's Metropolitan Airport, is getting a $1 million makeover to help polish up the freeway that's considered the gateway to the city.

The giant tire's first role was as a Ferris wheel at the 1964 World's Fair. The wheel held 96 fairgoers and was powered by a 100-horsepower motor. More than two million people rode the giant tire Ferris wheel during the fair, including Jacqueline Kennedy and her children, John Jr. and Caroline.

BIG TIRE, NEW LOOK 1964-1965: Giant tire is Ferris wheel at New York World's Fair 1965: World's Fair festivities end. Tire goes to Uniroyal sales office in Allen Park 1994: Giant tire receives facelift. Gets sleeker, more modern look. Neon lighting and a new hubcap were added. August 1998: Giant tire resembles a NailGuard tire, with a giant nail protruding from the tread. August 2002: Nail removed, reflective paint to be added.

After the 1965 World's Fair festivities ended, the giant tire was relocated to a Uniroyal sales office in Allen Park.

Today, a giant nail juts out of the fiberglass tread, but the "Nailguard" name will be removed and the 10-foot silver nail that has stuck out of the tire since 1998 will be taken out.

The skin is corroding in spots and the base is crumbling.

To get an idea of just how much work it needs, a view of past workmen in the trap door shows the cracks in the old tire's armor.

"We're replacing about 30 original steel beams from the original Ferris wheel and in addition, we'll be sandblasting and painting a lot of the inner workings of it. It will always be the giant tire and Uniroyal will definitely be present and known there," said Christian Flathman, of Uniroyal.

There will also be better landscaping around the base of the tire, Local 4 reported.

The work is expected to be completed by October.