Fans of "Muffler Men" to the rescue

Back in the 1960s, 20-foot-tall fiberglass statues were considered the height of outdoor advertising. But while these giants became popular roadside attractions, many fell into disrepair or were lost to the ravages of time. Today, enthusiasts search for surviving so-called "Muffler Men," and even work to restore them. Correspondent Conor Knighton joins the hunt.
‪@AmericanGiants‬ @americangiantsmuseum30 @RoadsideAmerica
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[@ShelleeGraham]

Great 👍 segment to showcase the people rescuing, saving, preserving these roadside giants.

[@LancesLens]

Great story!!

[@007Julie]

3:20 I grew up a couple of miles away from this Native American giant, he always intrigued me, I moved out of Chicago in 2005 but I’m glad he’s still around.

[@thetackytourist]

For those in Wisconsin, the soldier statue in the sand at Mt Olympus was one of the Native American Muffler Men! He changed alot over the years

[@Straaker]

What a fun story!

[@dianemalcom-nutter3348]

Loved it! Great timing after you just took photos of one!

[@nau97]

I grew up with a giant just down the road in Carson, CA. Then I went to Northern AZ Univ in Flagstaff and they have one outside the football stadium, it was great to see him again.

[@kalinthomas6675]

Loved seeing these on our annual summer vacation to Atlantic City, NJ in the 60s & 70s. Also love the Rick Sebak PBS special "Unusual Buildings & Other Roadside Stuff."

[@HeatherValentineMsFoodie]

Aawww I love these!! Reminds me of our road trips across America when I was a kid ❤❤❤❤

[@arlettegomez4947]

providing countless smiles to break up the miles :)

[@cellpat7392]

we have one here in NJ. it comes out on "The Sopranos" intro (1:03). I see it all the time, it is a logger who is holding a roll of carpet.

[@samanthab1923]

Wilson’s Carpet JC😊

[@Gfy69ytb]

Vermont has one of these, its holding a VW Beetle!

[@jeanmank6342]

Was that gas price a whopping $2.33?😭

[@steveconn]

Used to have a few throughout NM, swap meets, Central Ave. in Albuquerque. Fascinating, odd Americana.

[@rawiatt1]

Muffler King, Jefferson Avenue, Newport News, Virginia ❤

[@isproductions900]

Missed opportunity not bringing on Bill Griffith from the Zippy comic strip. So many of his strips feature these guys.

[@alphaomega5909]

What a GREAT STORY.😊

[@rayisland23]

These bring back alot of memories, it's fantastic they are being restored

[@PawPower89]

The muffler king in Newport News, Virginia was still there when I was in town last year. I have so many memories of this.

[@crb7628]

Great story

[@bennyboogenheimer4553]

From the 50's to the 00's Zinn's Diner in Ephrata, Pa. had Amos the Amish man, standing out front. It went to a Lancaster Museum, which closed, and now I have no clue? Sad how things disappear.

[@samanthab1923]

It’s in front of Katie’s Kitchen just up the road

[@stevek8829]

In South Jersey we have a Mr Bill and a Mighty Joe.

[@civlyzed]

Cool story, we have one of these in my city.

[@debbralehrman5957]

I loved seeing these along the road on family trips.

[@debramaocke2200]

I live in Pomeroy Washington . Our town has two

[@AmericanGiants]

That scene where I am pulling the weeds off the face of the Chief, that is one of the ones now in Pomeroy.

[@maryeckstein7891]

We remember the giant Viking in Lake Placid, New York, but he's been gone a long time. I believe he stood near a mini-golf course.

[@AmericanGiants]

Yes! The Viking, I have him now. He's on our list to get restored.

[@JustinCase780]

Danbury, CT Fairgrounds...who cut off the head of the Paul Bunyon to take it to Ridgefield High School in 1983? 😂

[@debbiecooper1677]

there is one in summerville sc. and the place has colosed down now.

[@ag-bk5wf]

Seen one holding a transmission at a transmission shop, face looks different though.

[@john-paulnagel2732]

Carpeteria The Genie Muffler Man Love ❤️ them!!!

[@DM-lc2cf]

There are 2 in Tucson, AZ. One in along I-10 near the Ruthrauff Exit. He is a University of Arizona fan. The other on in on Stone Blvd. I believe there was a hardware store, or something else that he helped to advertise located there. I think it is an original location.

[@heatherthomasson6427]

There is a muffler man in Birmingham Alabama

[@jobeLewOOH]

yay -- 👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏 -- 0:44 the one in town in I grew up in in the 70s, Escondido CA at East Valley Pkwy and Juniper St, Joor Muffler man, as shown wearing a mask in recent years for COVID 🤣🤣🤣

[@alleneb5010]

We have one in my hometown. The Joor Muffler Man

[@sandranynj7118]

I am trying to find out what happened to Muffler Man statue at Wilson's Carpets Jersey City, NJ #Mufflerman

[@AmericanGiants]

He is confirmed still there as of this morning. He never was taken down.

[@ericreguli9230]

Speedway in. Myself seen 0n 16th

[@ChristopherElston]

My seconds of fame on the last frame of the piece.

[@wendysuesmithrealtor]

There is one in Tulsa Ok . .He's the Tulsa Driller!

[@brainwashedburgerworshipper]

Lard Lad Donuts ☺☺

[@C.f.b._entertainment-thepeps]

Hmmm

[@deannamadrigal7503]

Too bad! They are so much more classier than those stupid balloons you see that are 100 ft High waving around in the air by a machine

[@kapilbehl8102]

Arvind kejriwal 😂

[@betsyduane3461]

These things are so tacky, what an eyesore.

[@concorde2003]

Go annoy someone else.

[@betsyduane3461]

Sorry I triggered you.@@concorde2003

[@MeMeDaVinci]

That's what makes them great but guess no one let you in on it til now.

[@betsyduane3461]

@@MeMeDaVinci I have a BFA degree, you?

[@waryinzero]

No racial diversity when it comes to fiberglass idols

[@BrianHencheyShow]

So that’s what you got out of this piece?! Sad… THE most important diversity is the diversity of opinion.

[@I_WANT_MY_SLAW]

All white men. You shouldn't have covered this story. This oozes in Jim crow era racism.

[@johnwhohasanopinion7939]

Stop