Muffler men are large molded fiberglass sculptures that are placed as advertising icons, roadside attractions, or for decorative purposes, predominantly in the United States. They are often used to display mufflers, tires, or other products to advertise local businesses.
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.[1]
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.[2]
"Muffler Mr. Spock", Driven Towing and Recovery, Hot Springs. Depicts Spock from Star Trek.
California
"Willy Willits," Willits Frontier Days Rodeo Grounds, Willits, CA[3]
"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 Big Man", originally a lumberjack with axe at the intersection of highways 88 and 104 (Lower Ridge Road), in Martell.
"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]
"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.
Frank-N-Stein a similar giant to the Muffler Men but designed by a noted Muncie, Indiana Artist. This artist also designed the Paul Bunyan at MacAllister Rental. It was displayed in Lake County, Indiana from 1967 to 1982.
Idaho
The World's Largest Janitor, "Big Don", at the Museum of Clean in Pocatello.
"Carl" holds a vanilla cone & burger outside of the College Ave location of Carl's Ice Cream Factory in Normal, IL.
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.
Maryland
Paul Bunyan aka Uncle Harve.
Located at the Anne Arundel County Fairgrounds in Crownsville, Md
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.
A giant with an Alfred E. Neuman head holds an absurdly large muffler at Ken's Muffler and Brake in Dallas.
Big Chief located in the north end zone of Stuart B. Lumpkins Stadium, home of the Waxahachie High School Indians and Lady Indians, in Waxahachie, Texas.
Tennessee
Native American in chinos
Native American in Chinos - Beside Sad Sam's at Exit 112 off of I-65, near Cross Plains.
One on the roof of the SSA Marine building, 1105 Hewitt Avenue, Everett.
22-foot cowboy muffler man on Highway 12, lower east Pomeroy.
West Virginia
Big Red stands at hau in Parkersburg near the South Parkersburg Shopping Plaza. Erected in the early 1980's, Red has served as a landmark for Cherokee Village Auto Center and other businesses at its location.
During the mid 2010's Parkersburg Big Reds Head Football Coach, Don Reeves attempted to relocate Big Red to PHS Stadium Field.