With a Little "Helper" From My Friends
Ah, the Muffler Man from Helper, UT.....I remember him well from my trip there in 2005. My friend, Crystal sent this wonderful picture courtesy of her Mother-In-Law, Millie, who lives in Helper. The locals have affectionately named him, "Big John", like the song. You'll notice Big John has an incredibly well thought out paint scheme. Gloss Black. It might make more sense to you when you learn that Helper is a coal mining and railroad town. With that huge pick in hand, he's become an important figure of civic pride for the town. It looks like Millie had an easier time getting a photo with Big John than I did. Being alone, I had my camera on a tripod in the middle of the street - which almost got run over at least 5 times. Helper Civic Auditorium 19 South Main StreetVIEW MAP
Pardon Me Boys, Is That the Chatanooga Chew Chew...
My friends Rockey and Jeff took a nice little ride down one of the world's greatest roads for motorcycling, "The Tail of the Dragon" at Deals Gap on the TN/NC border. They went out of their way to indulge me and produced this fine specimen tricked out in camouflage skivvies holding a multi-loader paintball gun. UPDATE. He recently received a complete make-over and is now schlepping as a NASCAR pit crew member in front of the go-cart race track. Rockey and Jeff gotta go back now!
Pictured: Rockey (L) and Jeff (R)
Location: Sir Goony's Golf & Go-Karts 5954 Brainerd Road, Chattanooga, TN 37421 (423) 892-7264
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I've Got You, Babe's...
The Babe's Muffler Man has eluded me for years. A Muffler Man that's actually holding a real muffler! So my friend Dan took the time to ride down to San Jose to give us an update. Dan sez, "He's in pretty good shape except for a couple of spots on his feet." It's nice havin' good friends to help ya out with yer fetish. Thanks, guys!
Pictured: Bill from ABATE of California Local 32
Photo by: Dan from ABATE of California Local 32.
Location: Babe's Mufflers 808 The Alameda St San Jose, CA 95126
408-294-8092
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The Jolly Green Giant Rides a Harley...
I'm doin' 80 on the highway thru Blue Earth, Minnesota when I see outta the corner of my eye an unbelievable site. The Jolly Green Giant. Dressed up in Biker garb. So I slam on my brakes and go backwards thru the on-ramp to get this pic.
Making a Planada and Sticking to It...
First off, this guy isn't in Merced as folks like to believe. He's in Planada...a sleepy little farming village east of Highway 99. His name is Farmer Bud and he's drunk. His head wobbles in the wind, he's chained to a pole to keep from falling and he can't get rid of that nasty flesh eating rash on his upturned hand. Next time you head out to Yosemite, stop by and drop off some ointment.
Location: Ag Museum 4498 E State Highway 140 Merced, CA 95340-9388
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Getting Tired in Billings...
I caught on to this guy while staying at the world's first KOA in Billings, Montana. While dodging beavers and staving off west nile virus, I was checkin' out the little map of Billings they hand out to kampers. There, on the page, a Muffler Man jumped out of the ad at me, telling me to buy Kelly brand tires from L.P. Anderson. A quick jaunt downtown produced this fine specimen, holding a steel belted radial tire and looking well fed.
Location: LP Anderson Tire CO 3741 Montana Avenue, Billings, MT 59101 (406) 698-7473
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Downtown LA, Auto Alley near the County Coroner's Office...
"Sergio" has a cataract in his right eye. How do I know his name is Sergio? Because somebody scribbled it on his shirt with a Sharpie marker. This poor dude has seen better days, but he's still standing tall behind the razor wire, doing car upholstery and making keys. However, you can see by the sign that the entire neighborhood is up for sale. I checked on the price and if ya got a cool million you can buy an entire city block and hopefully get this really cool roadside icon thrown in for free!
Location: Orozco Lock & Key 590 N Mission Road at Gallardo Los Angeles, CA 90033 (323) 227-9354
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High Five from Vista, California...
This big lug is only 3 minutes away from Highway 78, using Sycamore Ave., but people rarely take the time to visit. What's odd to me is the raised arm which International Fiberglas used predominately in the "Indian Type" Muffler Men. His paint job is weathered but his structural integrity is stellar. His lef hand contains a strap which obviously held some sort of prop in the past. Regardless, this guy's guarding Ed's Muffler Shop and is an easy pic to get.
Location; Ed's Giant Muffler 2244 S. Santa Fe Ave. Highway 78 to Sycamore Ave north. Right at Santa Fe Ave. Ed's Giant Muffler is approximately 1/2 mile down on the lefthand side. Phone: 760-724-3300)Map It!
Indian Variety Muffler Man from Minnesconsin...
The Wild Child took a special trip to Minnesconsin to get this pic of an Indian variety Muffler Man. He's holding a big stick with a leather ball on the end of it. She says it smells a little funny beneath his loin cloth there. Location: Thunder Bird Hotel & Convention Center.Photo by: MomLocation: Ramada Thunder Bird Hotel & Convention Center 2300 East American Boulevard Bloomington, Minnesota 55425-1228 Phone: (952) 854-3411Website: http://www.thunderbirdhotel.com/Map It!
The Damnedest Thing You'll Ever See...
Privately owned, this is one fiberglas statue that most folks just won't believe. Oddly, BOTH hands have been modified to point downward. Strange too, is the giant chicken on the left side of the house, Lady Liberty peering from the back yard and the AIRPLANE that has crashed into the garage! A definite MUST SEE!
Location: Mentone, CA @ Garnet Road and Mill Creek RoadMap It!
World Famous Joor Muffler Man from Escondido...
The Joor Muffler Man from Escondido is WORLD FAMOUS! He's stood at the corner of East Valley Parkway and Juniper for over 30 years. Every December, the Joor Muffler Man is swaddled in 50 yards of red corduroy fabric and turned into a Muffler "Santa." Anybody got a pic of him in his holiday duds? Lemme know. Location: Joor Muffler 302 E Valley Parkway Escondido, CA 92025 (760) 746-1877Map It!
