At a young age, I was exposed to my first “Muffler Man”. At that time I had no clue or understanding of the species or it’s long history. I guess I thought it was a one-of-a-kind piece (Two of Indiana’s only are the prize possessions of Montpellier, IN) not a mass-produced roadside diner attraction. Later in my 20’s when I moved to Speedway, IN I noticed another, a large Paul Bunyan style figure outside the local muffler shop (Ralph’s Muffler). This is where my interest increased.
It was Steve Dashew’s California company, International Fiberglass, that turned out thousands of commercial statues in the 1960s and 70s. International Fiberglass took a single statue mold created for a cafe and parlayed it into a roadside industry.
A community of these giants, made of fiberglass and 14 to 25 feet tall, still stand today and watch along various areas of roadside America. They include lumberjacks, cowboys, astronauts, and Indians, but the first statues held big car mufflers, this is where the name "Muffler Men” comes from.
Muffler men were erected across the nation decades ago to call attention to the businesses they towered over. Today they’re the ones getting all the attention!
International Fiberglass sent the very first Muffler Man from Venice, Calif., to Flagstaff, Ariz., in 1962. In an interview with the online guide “Roadside America,” International Fiberglass founder Steve Dashew recalled demand skyrocketing after the first Muffler Man was installed at a gas station in Las Vegas.
“Our main business was working with the large oil and tire companies and restaurant chains for nationwide programs. For example, we built a series of Phillips Petroleum cowboys, Texaco Big Friends, and US Rubber Miss Uniroyals. We also did ENCO and Humble tigers, and Sinclair Dinosaurs”.
We had a variety of figures which we adapted from one mold - such as golfers, cowboys, spacemen, Indians, muffler men, etc. We also built a bunch of different animals such as horses, steers, cows, giant chickens, etc”
Muffler men would set your business back around $1000-$2000 back in the 60’s-70’s, today some go for the $20,000 mark, good luck finding an owner to part with one!
Something about these silly ass things make me smile. Maybe it’s thinking back on how cool I thought they were as a child, maybe it’s how much I apricate the variations and artistic freedom the owners have taken, now that I’m an adult. Regardless, I’ll drive hours out of the way to have a look at one. I’m intrigued and will forever be a fan.
LONG LIVE THE MUFFLER MAN!
-Chris
