Category Archives: Muffler Men

Planning a trip to Los Angeles starts with a visit to the Roadside America web site.  That’s where I found Sergio.  The automotive alley garage area is unlike anything I’ve see in the US.  There is a 4 or 5 block area of shops selling car parts.  While we were there I saw cars pull up and asked for a part for a model year car.  For example, “I’m looking for an alternator for a 1996 Toyota.”  It was like a drive-in for auto parts. All the people I could see were Hispanic and they were curious why a couple of white folks were on their turf.

Sergio Muffler Man

This is a really cool Muffler Man in a Pirate form. When we were in Ocean City, Maryland we drove past a couple times before really spotting him at the Jolly Roger Amusement parton the Coastal Highway. One morning we stopped by to get this image, the place was vacant, we took this image and one Big Aminal image before realizing that the park wasn’t open for the day. I guess we could have wandered around but we didn’t feel comfortable doing that.

Ocean City Pirate

This was a planned capture during our Spring Break trip to the Smokies in Tennessee. This guy is located on Veterans Parkway, on the first block east of Rt. 441 in Pigeon Forge. If you continue on this street you will end up in Dollywood. This poor guy still stands in front of a closed minature golf course and needs some help, maybe I’ll set up a “Big Things Rescue Program” for guys like this. I think with a little love he could be a treasure. What do you think?

Tennessee Pirate

I found a lot of Big Things in Rapid City. Maybe it’s the proximity to Mt. Rushmore and Crazy Horse. Maybe it’s the long cold winters, remember there are lots of Big Things in Minnesota too. Anyway we drove past this guy on a couple of trips and didn’t see him until we specifically were looking for him. Funny how that works!

Rapid City Muffler Man

If you don’t already know it, Sturgis, SD is the home to the largest biker rally in the US. Fortunately we were there about 10 days before the big shindig. The town is overwhelmed with bikers making the trek to their mecca. The Full Throttle Saloon bills itself as the “World’s Largest Biker Bar.” To add to the ambiance they have this Muffler Man out front. He must appeal to the clientel since he’s holding a cigar and mug of beer. I wonder if there are any DUI’s issued. What do you think?

Sturgis Muffler Man

On the road to the Oshkosh Correctional Institution we spotted this traditonal Muffler Man in front of Fasco Appliances. I don’t understand why he is there and the owner was not in when we stopped by. It was late, nearly 5pm. We were behind schedule after spending so much time at Mel Schellt’s and were getting anxious to move on to the Dells.

Oshkosh Muffler Man

I lived in South Jersey for 13 years and never saw this Muffler Man or was tipped to him by my vast network of Bird Dogs. I don’t know where he came from or how I could have missed him. We did get this photo last year when we were visiting Ben and Annie. First I thought it was a Muffler Man that was moved from down the White Horse Pike (US-30) from another tire dealer in Berlin, but it’s not. I wish I had gone into the shop and asked how long he’s been there, maybe I will next time I’m out there.

“New” New Jersey Muffler Man

This Muffler Man is out in Mentone California. A very interesting location with other items. There was a large chicken there as well. At any rate I have a description on the Animals page of the location. Here I want you to notice all the other elements in this photo. Check out the airplane in the backyard as well as the Evinrude outboards on the fence. Maybe he can waterski while sitting on his front porch.

Mentone Muffler Man

Here I am “working” again. Actually we finished early and had some extra time outside Denver and decided to drive up to Estes Park for lunch. After a great lunch at the Estes Park Brewery we headed back to the airport. While driving along Colorado 66 and near Lyons I spotted this giant in someones front yard. I went to ask for permission to enter the yard and met Steve, hospital who, lo and behold, said that he had visited this website. “Sure,” he said. “Go take your photo.” Thanks Steve, you have a great view of the Rockies from your yard.

Colorado Muffler Man

Another found image from yesteryear that is not finding the light of day, so to speak.  It was a wet, rainy day, the Friday after Thanksgiving in Detroit with the Davidsons.  Greg, Erica and I went on a big things safari.  The Muffler Man stands at the Riverbend Mini-golf and Driving range.

Riverbend Golf Muffler Man

Here is another Alfred E. Newman derivation Muffler Man near Flint Michigan. He is outside the Bargain Hunter Store on Atherton Rd just west of Dort Highway. He has a nice Hawaiian shirt but can’t get around because he’s fenced in. Thanks to Roadside America for the info.

Flint Muffler Man

Julia spotted this big guy along side I-69 outside Muncie, Indiana. It was early in the morning and I was surprised that she was awake. We stopped on our way home from the Davidson cottage in Michigan to grab this image.  MacAllister Rental at Exit 41 has this guy watching the traffic go by. Muncie, by the way, is the home of Ball State University.  Update: I’ve driven by many times and he is well cared for, with new paint and moved closed to the storage building.

Julia’s Muffler Man

Here’s another “Alfred” located on the Casino Pier in Seaside Heights, NJ. The nice folks working there allowed us to take a couple of photos while escorting us out because we were on the pier before opening time.

Seaside Heights Guy

This is the other Muffler Man located in the Casino Pier Amusement Park. I couldn’t get too close to him without dire consequences, but he’s there nonetheless.  Of course, after this we were spotted and escorted off the pier.  What an exciting hobby!

Casino Pier Muffler Man