9 Giant Muffler Men to Spot Across the U.S.

There may be no better symbol of the American road trip than a 20-foot-tall fiberglass statue towering over a diner, gas station, or motel. These are muffler men, roadside figures built to catch the attention of passing motorists. The term came from the observation that many of them held car parts, especially mufflers, to advertise nearby auto shops.

Muffler men came onto the scene in the 1960s—the golden age of American vacation car travel—when sculptor Bob Prewitt was hired to build a giant Paul Bunyan for a cafe along Route 66. Soon after, Prewitt sold his workshop and molds to Steve Dashew, who launched a company called International Fiberglass. It would go on to produce many of these statues throughout the decade.

As oversized human billboards, muffler men became popular photo ops and a successful marketing tactic for small, independently owned businesses. And while their popularity has waned in the decades since, many people still admire them for their kitschy charm and Americana nostalgia factor.

Below, we rounded up some of our favorites that are still standing tall.