MUFFLER MEN

Between 1962 and 1974, International Fiberglass Company made huge (20 to 30 feet tall) mannequins in a wide variety of designs, such a lumberjacks, gas station attendants, cowboys, etc.  These would be permanently placed in front of commercial establishments, and each one would usually be carrying an appropriate object such as an ax, a muffler, or a branding iron.  They were often found at Texaco stations until a motorist sued Texaco claiming that he had had an accident because he was distracted by one of the figures.  

Uniroyal employed a female version for its stores which looked a lot like Jackie Kennedy in a bikini.  However, an attachable dress was also provided by International Fiberglass for use in the more conservative communities.

These figures, regardless of their sex or occupation, are known as "muffler men."

The first muffler man I ever met was "Big John," who proudly toted four giant grocery bags in front of a rural Midwestern supermarket.  This may be the very same Big John* who currently resides in the care of a muffler man collector (who must have a very tolerant wife**) in Unger, West Virgina.

The muffler men pictured in this factoid were photographed several years ago at the Pink Elephant Antique Mall in Livingston, Illinois. They were (and hopefully still are) surrounded at the facility by other treasures such as a twenty-foot tall tricycle, a huge pink elephant, and a flying saucer. The Harley Davidson guy, who started out as a Paul Bunyan version holding an ax, was out standing in his field.

To find the muffler man nearest to you, click here.

*Big John was not manufactured by the International Fiberglass Company, but he clearly is a muffler man in spirit and should be included within their hallowed ranks.

**Actually, further research indicates that the wife is a full and enthusiastic co-conspirator in the acquisition of the Unger muffler men.