List of muffler men explained

This is a list of muffler men, large moulded fiberglass advertising icons.^[1]

Arizona

• Louie The Lumberjack at Northern Arizona University in Flagstaff
• Paul Bunyan at Leo's Auto and Home Supply/Don's Hot Rod Shop in Tucson
• Big Ed at Cumming's Plumbing in Tucson. Originally Stamper Miner in Rapid City, South Dakota, he moved to Tucson and was refurbished in December 2015.^[2]
• Big Johnson (B.J.) at Big Johnson's Store in Prescott

Arkansas

• "Lee the Tow Man", custom-built for Driven Towing and Recovery in Hot Springs.
• "Big John", Driven Towing and Recovery, Hot Springs. This muffler man was originally in St. George, Utah from 1964 to 2001. It was transported to Cheshire, Connecticut, then to Bache, Oklahoma in 2019, before being brought to Hot Springs in 2022.^[3]
• "Muffler Mr. Spock", Driven Towing and Recovery, Hot Springs. Depicts Spock from Star Trek.

California

• "Big Bert", River Bend Resort, Forestville.
• "Big Josh" in Joshua Tree (formerly "Mecca Man" at El Tompa Mini Mart in Mecca).

• "Big Mike", formerly at Big Mike's Muffler, Hayward.
• "Babe Royer" at Babe's Lightning & Muffler in San Jose.
• "Chicken Boy" in Highland Park.
• "El Salsero" muffler man at 22800 Pacific Coast Highway, Malibu^[4]
• "Edwin", a golfer, at El Monte Sign Company, 2710 Santa Anita Avenue, El Monte.
• "The Guy," a race car driver holding a checkered flag, off the 405 freeway, at the west coast Porsche Experience Center in Carson. Originally a golfer for the Dominguez Golf Course.^{[4] [5]}
• Unnamed, King's Auto Repair in Compton.
• "Sergio," at Automotive Alley in Boyle Heights.
• "Tony" at Tony's Transmissions in City Terrace.^[4]
• "Kevin" at Tuneup Masters in Van Nuys.
• "Joor Muffler Man" at Joor Muffler in Escondido.^[4]
• "The Indian Warrior" at Ethel's Old Corral Cafe in Bakersfield.^[6]
• "Rodeo Man" in Livermore.

Colorado

• "Trailer Park Cowboy" at Rustic Ranch Mobile Home Park, 5565 Federal Blvd., Denver.
• "Ranch Cowboy" stands guard with a pitchfork at Lazy T Ranch, 12765 N. 63rd St., Longmont.^[7]
• "Greeley Muffler Man" in front of Just Bob's Auto, 500 1st Ave, Greeley.

Connecticut

• When the 26-foot "Muffler Man" Paul Bunyan was erected in front of a Cheshire lumber business in the 1980s, the town objected to the statue, citing that it was a violation of town codes given its substantial height. Finding no limitation on flagpole height on the books, the owners of the statue replaced Bunyan's axe with an American flag.^[8]
• "Big Bob", Norwich. A cowboy muffler man with an American flag and cowboy hat that has been in Norwich since the mid-1960s. For his first 20 years he was on the other side of town. Previously belonged to amusement park owner Alex Cohen. The owners of Surplus Unlimited bought Big Bob in 1982.

Florida

• In front of CSD Truck Repairs in Palm River-Clair Mel
• In front of Aufo Air Muffler & Brake City in Dade City

Kansas

• Muffler Man in front of Brown's Tire in Wichita.

Indiana

• Paul Bunyan, MacAllister Rental outside of Muncie. The Paul Bunyan stands outside the main building, facing towards Interstate 69.
• Ralph's Muffler shop in Indianapolis.

Idaho

• The World's Largest Janitor, "Big Don", at the Museum of Clean in Pocatello.

• The "lumberjack" at Heyburn Elementary School in St. Maries.^{[9] [10]}

Illinois

• Gemini Giant in Wilmington
• A Giant Hot Dog Statue on Route 66 in Atlanta, Illinois was relocated from Bunyon's in Cicero upon that restaurateur's retirement.^[11]
• Lauterbach Man at Lauterbach Service Center in Springfield
• Spartan at Southeast High School in Springfield.
• BIG FAT in Evergreen Park, Paul Bunyan statue on top of Guardian Auto Re-builders.
• Blind Without Glasses at 6300 S. Pulaski in Chicago, Indian on top of an eye clinic.
• Paul Bunyan at Lamb's Farm in Libertyville.
• Two muffler men, Paul Bunyan and Beach Boy, at the Pink Elephant Antique Mall in Livingston.
• Stogie Man at Cigars and Stripes in Berwyn.

Iowa

• Giant "Phil", Williamsburg. A Phillips 66 Cowboy, Muffler Man, once stood at the Landmark Truck Stop in Williamsburg, at the intersection of I-80 and IA-149. It appears on a vintage postcard and possibly now stands with a large fiberglass bull in Waukon.^[12]

Louisiana

• In front of Topps Western World, 3003 Topps Trail, Bossier City (facing I-20, near exit 23).

Maine

• Paul Bunyan and Babe the Blue Ox in J. Eugene Boivin Park, Rumford.

Massachusetts

• Plantation Man, Chicopee. It was originally made for a restaurant in Framingham, then as Uncle Sam for a car dealership in Springfield. As of 2013, it was being auctioned and its future was uncertain.^{[13] [14]}
• There is a Muffler Man with a large ax and lumberman's hard hat at the entrance to Valley Tree Service on the east side of Route 97 in Groveland.
• A muffler man depicted in rural attire and baseball cap stands at Green Valley Equipment Company, on Route 43 in Hancock.^{[15] [16]}

Michigan

• Greg E. Normous: Golfer, stands at a putt putt golf course, named for Greg Norman, 23 Mile Road, New Baltimore.
• Golf Giant: Golfer at driving range, 1/2 mile west of Greg E. Normous, New Baltimore.^[17]

Mississippi

• Muffler Man (Held two bags of "groceries" at Giant Food Stores, painted as a clerk in the 1960s) now at Boom City Fireworks, 9199 HY 61, Walls.

Missouri

• Bunyan (a Mr. Bendo): Stones Last Resort, Cleveland.
• Bunyan (no job too big): Skyline Motors Tractor Trailer Repair, Foristell.
• Injun Joe and Country Bumpkin: Bagnell Dam Strip, Lake Ozark. (One was gone from 2013 until 2024 but suffered damage a few weeks after returning.^[18])
• Muffler Man: Chief Wappalese: Chaonia Landing Resort and Marina, Lake Wappapello.
• Cowboy Muffler Man (in pieces): Croft Automotive and Trailer, Valley Park.
• Muffler Man (custom designed as a chef and erected in 2020) Route 66 Food-Truck Park (corner of St Louis St and Delaware Ave), Springfield.
• Mega Major: Opposite Uranus Fudge Factory, 14400 Hwy Z, St. Robert.

Montana

• There is a muffler man in front of the tire store on Montana Avenue in Billings.

• Casino Dude Muffler Man at Fort Rockvale Restaurant and Casino in Joliet.
• Muffler Man at Plentywood.

Nebraska

• "Indian" in the stockade behind Fort Cody Trading Post has been a fixture along I-80 for decades at North Platte, exit 177.

New Jersey

• Nitro Girl, Black Horse Pike, Blackwood.
• Carpet Viking Statue, Route 77, Deerfield.
• Muffler man collection - Halfwit, Halfwit head paintball target, Dracula head, Monmoth Road, Holmeston.
• Carpet-clutching Muffler Man, Broadway, Jersey City.
• Tire Man in Pink, White Horse Pike, Magnolia.
• Pirate, Boardwalk, Ocean City.
• Barnacle Bill's Amusements, Highway 35, Ortley Beach.
• Muffler Man collection, Ocean Terrace, Seaside Heights.
• Happy Halfwit, Highway 73, Winslow.
• Cowtown Rodeo, Highway 40, Woodstown.^[19]

New Mexico

• Sun Glass, Farmington.
• Big Daddy's Flea Market, Las Cruces.
• Franciscan RV Inc., Hatch.
• Cowboy Muffler Man, John's Used Cars, Gallup.

New York

• Gas station in Westchester County 135 N Saw Mill River Road, Elmsford (yellow shirt, green pants).
• Mountain Air Campground 1265 Lake Ave, Lake Luzerne (red shirt, blue pants).
• Camp Bullowa Boy Scout Camp, Rockland County (classic Paul Bunyan, red shirt with blue pants and ax).

North Carolina

• Bradsher Landscape Supply, Raleigh (blue jeans and baseball cap).^[20]

• Harry's On The Hill Cadillac GMC, Asheville (Chief Pontiac).
• Paul Bunyan holding an axe, with Babe the Blue Ox, Original Log Cabin Company, Rocky Mount.
• White's Tire Company, Wilson.

North Dakota

• Chieftain Motel, Carrington (figure is a Native American with upraised arm)

Oklahoma

• Buck Atom the Space Cowboy, Tulsa.^[21]
• Native American with arm stretched out at Indian Trading Post in Calumet.

Oregon

• Harvey the Giant Rabbit (originally The Texaco Big Friend) in Reedville.^[22]

Pennsylvania

• Cadet Restaurant, Kittanning.
• Lugnutz Tire Service, Greensburg.
• The Inside Scoop ice cream shop in Coopersburg.
• Muffler Man at Mr. Tire, Uniontown.

South Dakota

• Automotive Brake & Exhaust, Sioux Falls - 'Mr. Bendo', arm upraised holding an exhaust pipe in one hand.
• Full Throttle Saloon (new location), 'Windover Willie' originally from Winnemucca, Nevada. Located at 19942 Hwy 79, Vale - Cowboy holding a cigar in his left hand and a mug of beer in his right.

Texas

• Red McCombs Big Chief in downtown San Antonio.
• Mr. Bendo, Paul Bunyan, at San Angelo.
• Glenn Goode and Mary Jean Goode's "Big People!": Cowboy, two Big Johns and a Uniroyal Gal in Gainesville.
• Happy The Halfwit at Kenn's Muffler Shop in Beaumont.
• 2nd Amendment Cowboy at Cadillac RV Park in Amarillo.
• Wine Garage, east of Fredericksburg on US-290.
• A giant with an Alfred E. Neuman head holds an absurdly large muffler at Ken's Muffler and Brake in Dallas.

Tennessee

• Native American in Chinos - Beside Sad Sam's at Exit 112 off of I-65, near Cross Plains.
• Pal's, Kingsport - Man carrying a hamburger.
• Muffler Man at Four Way Mufflers & Motors, 1368 E Broadway, Gallatin.

Utah

• "Big John", a coal miner on South Main Street in front of the Helper Civic Auditorium and city library (formerly the city hall) in Helper.
• "Mr. Spock," a muffler man repainted to resemble Mr. Spock sits atop a business in Salt Lake City.

Virginia

• Chincoteague Viking, Chincoteague Island.
• Auto Muffler King at 5835 Jefferson Avenue in Newport News.
• Williamson Road Service Center at 3110 Williamson Road, Roanoke.
• Coeburn Red Oak Trading Company.

Washington

• Paul Bunyan, Shelton.^[23]
• One on the roof of the SSA Marine building, 1105 Hewitt Avenue, Everett.
• 22-foot cowboy muffler man on Highway 12, lower east Pomeroy.

Wisconsin

• Gus's Drive-In, East Troy - Gus's Giant.^[24]

• Bulik's Amusement Center, Spooner - Cowboy.
• Fasco Appliance, Oshkosh - Paul Bunyan.
• Larry the Logroller, a 22feet a logroller muffler man with a pike pole in Wabeno.^[25]

External links

• "Muffler Men" at Roadside America website
• "Muffler Men tracker" at Roadside America Website

Notes and References

1. Web site: Muncie, IN Equipment Rental MacAllister Rentals. 2021-05-18. www.macallisterrentals.com.
2. Web site: Tucson, AZ - Big Ed - Muffler Man . Roadside America . 12 August 2023.
3. Web site: Hot Springs, AR - Muffler Man: Bunyan . RoadsideAmerica.com . 11 January 2024 . en.
4. Web site: Men at Work . Kim. Kabar . . Westways . January–February 2012. 13 June 2015.
5. Web site: Carson, CA - Muffler Man. October 18, 2013.
6. News: Best Roadside Attractions Near Los Angeles - CBS Los Angeles . CBS News . January 30, 2016.
7. Web site: Longmont, CO - Muffler Man.
8. http://www.roadsideamerica.com/story/10793 Muffler Man - Bunyan, Of Necessity, a Patriot
9. Web site: St. Maries, Idaho: Paul Bunyan - Big Friend. Roadside America.com. October 9, 2012.
10. http://he-sd41-id.schoolloop.com/ Heyburn Elementary (Official Website)
11. News: Hot dog merchant who brought giant Paul Bunyan statue to Route 66 dead at 89. Dave Hoekstra. Chicago Sun-Times. June 4, 2012.
12. Web site: Missing Muffler Men | American Giants – Muffler Men . 2015-02-11 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20150211221149/http://usagiants.com/missing-muffler-men/ . 2015-02-11 .
13. Web site: Chicopee's Plantation Inn, with Plantation Man, to be sold at auction Friday . masslive.com. 13 June 2015. Jim . Kinney . November 13, 2013.
14. Web site: Plantation Man to stay in Greater Springfield, buyer says; Chicopee motel and land fail to sell. masslive.com. 13 June 2015. Jim . Kinney . November 15, 2013.
15. Web site: Hancock, MA - Muffler Man - The Big Man. RoadsideAmerica.com. en. 2019-01-02.
16. Web site: The Green Valley Equipment Giant. 2016-12-09. American Giants - Muffler Men. en. 2019-01-02.
17. Web site: New Baltimore, MI - Muffler Man: Greg E. Normous . RoadsideAmerica.com . en.
18. Web site: 2024-05-14 . Dimwits Damage Beloved 'Ozark Halfwit' Statue On The Bagnell Dam Strip . 2024-05-16 . LakeExpo.com . en.
19. Web site: Roadside Attractions Map - The Muffler Men. www.roadsideamerica.com. en. 2017-01-30.
20. Web site: Fee-Fi-Fo-Fum: The Legend Of The Raleigh Giant. June 24, 2014.
21. Web site: Tulsa's own Muffler Man, Buck Atom, to tower over Route 66.
22. Web site: Brink . Benjamin . Harvey, Aloha's giant rabbit, is a landmark that has fans across the country . OregonLive . February 14, 2014 . March 30, 2024.
23. News: Wilson-Edge . Eric . Shelton's Paul Bunyan Statue is as Mysterious as its Fabled Namesake . ThurstonTalk . March 9, 2014.
24. Web site: Gus's Drive-In: The Muffler Man.
25. News: Simonson . Robert . A Road Trip to the Fiberglass Frontier of Northern Wisconsin . The New York Times . August 14, 2019.