The Eagle name has graced many vehicles throughout automotive history from American Motors’ all-wheel-drive Eagle and AMC-Renault collaborations to the Willys Aero Eagle of the 1950s. But the car featured here shares nothing but the name. This is a singular, hand-built masterpiece, created in 1911 by Detroit innovator Martin Burzynski. He was a visionary whose bold experiment left a fascinating mark on early motoring. Burzynski patented a groundbreaking tire design featuring aluminum sidewalls, spring-loaded canvas-and-rubber treads, and inflated inner tubes. To test his concept, he went a step further by building an entire car around it. From his Eagle Motor Car Company in Detroit, Burzynski assembled the vehicle using premium components of the era:

• Wisconsin 60-hp six-cylinder engine (rare power in 1911)
• Timken axles, bearings, and hubs
• Blood Brothers Machine Company Universal Joints
• Patented wheels crafted by Turnbull Wagon Company in Defiance, Ohio

The result was a handsome seven-passenger touring car boasting a 132-inch wheelbase, impressive performance and presence for its time.

While the Eagle’s power and craftsmanship were exceptional, the experimental wheels proved flawed. In deep ruts, they bottomed out, delivering a harsh ride that outweighed their blowout-resistant promise. After only 224 miles, Burzynski retired the car from use. It remained with him until his death in 1946, when it passed to legendary Detroit collector Barney Pollard. The car later underwent a meticulous restoration by Clyde Wade, famed for his work with Harrah’s Automobile Collection.

Automotive history often celebrates the winners, but the lessons from ambitious failures can be just as valuable. Just as Henry Ford preserved Charles Kettering’s copper-cooled Chevrolet, Barney Pollard recognized the importance of saving Martin Burzynski’s American Eagle. This one-off Detroit creation stands as a testament to innovation, craftsmanship, and the daring spirit of early automotive engineering.