How A Deteriorating Paul Bunyan Giant Is Restored | Refurbished | Insider

Joel Baker is the owner of American Giants, a company that restores muffler men. Muffler men are 18- to 25-foot advertising giants that were popular in the 1960s and are becoming popular again.
He shows us how his team restores a Paul Bunyan muffler man. This includes patching up cracks on the giant, adding a structure inside, repainting it, and placing it in its new location.
/ americangiants
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How A Deteriorating Paul Bunyan Giant Is Restored | Refurbished | Insider

[@GrandmaLoves2Scuba]

What a fond childhood memory. I remember this guy well. The one in our town went from holding an axe to holding a doughnut.

[@MyButtercup]

I remember going to a Paul Bunyon restaurant in Wisconsin Dells back in the early 1960s. They had a big guy out front.

[@cknorris3644]

That's funny! Ours went from an axe to a wrench. Poor Paul!!

[@GrandmaLoves2Scuba]

@@cknorris3644 So cool, lol. He sure gets around.

[@christienelson1437]

Our town had a Mr. Bendo. ♥️🙏💕❤️

[@beeenn649]

There's one in Quakertown Pa. holding some tires.

[@JuanWay2Rock]

Awesome job... I remember seeing a lot of these giant figures growing up back in the 1970's. I thought back then, and I still do now, that these fiberglass statues were part of what made traveling around fun to see and it's something that's kind of missing today.

[@religionisapoison2413]

Lots of local laws don't permit stuff like this because it's an eyesore..

[@jamesmaroon6161]

@@religionisapoison2413 f.u

[@religionisapoison2413]

@@jamesmaroon6161 not my ordinance. I'd probably be more focused on business function

[@F1jones]

Seeing one of these Paul Bunyans (and Babe) was always a highlight on drives as a kid. Amazing work, thank you for keeping these guys alive.

[@XJSGAV]

@Robin Justice it is babe the blue ox

[@liamfoxy]

I am so glad there is someone professionally preserving and restoring the glory of these unique pieces of American folklore

[@TheJasonchildress]

I grew up spending summers at the campground this was found at. “The Oaks” on Stateline road near Beloit Wisconsin. What a surprise to randomly stumble onto this video. I thought “that looks like the Bunyan from the Oaks” and when he said “I got this from a closed campground in Wisconsin” I was blown away. Very cool.

[@VangoghsDoggo]

I know him! He was in front of the Paul Bunyan Hotel in Lakewood, WI when I was a kid. My great aunt owned a bar and hotel a couple of blocks south of there! He stood at the corner of Sherman St. (County F), and Highway 32. Southwest Corner. The building on the corner used to be the Paul Bunyan Bar. When it closed, it went to the campground.

[@AmericanGiants]

That one was actually one of the rare 14ft versions also made by International Fiberglass. That one is in NC now.

[@wallstreettrader1]

There was another Paul Bunyan from the 60s to the early 80s in Medina or Itasca, Illinois. Almost identical to the one in the video. I didn't know that there were so many.

[@courtneyrogers7683]

That one was in front of Adventureland on Lake Street in Addison, IL

[@frederickclarke9171]

You gentlemen are true craftsmen and preservers of American history! Would love to see more of this ! Reminds me of childhood growing up in the 60s and 70s.

[@LightningFabrication]

Thank You for taking an interest in preserving these past advertising icons. You did an excellent job of bringing Paul back to life. Hopefully he will be standing there for another 60 years. I knew that there were a lot of these around the country, but never knew if there were made for one particular business or just sold to anyone who wanted to use him for advertising. We had one near us standing on top of a building of an auto junk yard. He was holding up a tractor tire

[@AmericanGiants]

Where was he at? How many years ago?

[@LightningFabrication]

@@AmericanGiants Hi Joel, Sent you an email

[@stephencraig7130]

We had these in New Orleans in the 60s. They were holding mufflers. I absolutely love this presentation. I'm also In the restoration profession. I restore church statues. This is an amazing video. Continued Success!

[@Pepp711]

Muffler man holding a muffler. He finally did what he strived to do.

[@LuchadorMasque]

Could you imagine just stumbling on that guy in the woods on mushrooms?

[@glengamble526]

I don’t think plastic statues can eat mushrooms… 🤪😂😘

[@dolenir]

At least one cult started this way

[@readpad9415]

Wait? HE'S on mushrooms or I am??

[@iggykidd]

How he ate those mushrooms, I'll never know

[@mudlark4099]

I think I'd need assistance from my trip sitter after that.

[@aaronhowe3725]

What a beautiful restoration. Great job.

[@kishascape]

I love how they just walk into an abandoned campground and make off with a giant for free.

[@LAMB53087]

I like people who restore and make things last.

[@user-pr4vf2lp4k]

Should watch "The Pickers"

[@collisw8302]

I recently moved to Queensland in Australia and there's a real fascination here with giant things, so far I've seen a giant shrimp, a giant pineapple and a giant banana!

[@AmericanGiants]

We have found that folks in Europe and Australia love these giants. Sadly none have hopped the pond. We need to change that and get one in Australia.

[@iggykidd]

They could probably make one of these from scratch, but it's good to see they're using as much of the original guy as they could

[@AmericanGiants]

Scratch is faster and easier but we love to restore the originals!

[@ErdrickHero]

@@AmericanGiants my question is: Why not both? Just make sure to mark the new ones as reproductions so they don't get resold as the real thing.

[@78town]

That Painter KILLED it!!!

[@maggiehuff9661]

Wonderful memories seeing Paul and Babe the Blue Ox when we would cross the Mackinac Bridge!! I love that people still enjoy these giants!😊

[@shawnalynn5198]

I was trying to remember where I had seen this before and that's totally it! I'm pretty sure my mom has a pic with that Paul & Babe from the 70s 😊

[@mercoid]

Back in the mid 70’s my parents brought me to a miniature golf course somewhere in upstate New York. They had this exact model Paul Bunyan standing over one of the obstacles. It was evening and he was lit with spotlights. Makes a lasting impression on a kid.

[@AmericanGiants]

Sounds like you were in Lake George at "Around the World Golf" That giant was at the 1964 Worlds Fair before going up to Lake George. He still stands over the same obstacle all these years later.

[@theozarkduke]

as a teenager in the 70's i was all over the usa and this is one thing i remember as a teen seeing so many of these mostly in Okla.but iv seen them every where. and over the years they just gone. this makes me so Happy to see someone step in and save some of these. thank you for making this 60 year old a teen again even if for just 20 mins.

[@19Bmiller]

Amazing, I never would have guessed that work like this goes on. You folks have mastered it

[@lareneandpipsqueeksully]

I remember Paul Bunyan, loved seeing him when we went to see relatives in Washington State! So cool to see him get updated!

[@AddictiveSugar]

This brings back memories as a kid I saw this same giant but I don't remember where exactly

[@wurly164]

There are a few tall statues like this at American Treasure Tours in Pennsylvania. I have a shorts on my channel of a 30 foot or so of Gumby, that's inside the museum as well as the Pep Boys, a giant cowboy boot and a giant high heel shoe.

[@danielruffin2258]

There are many of these in Paulding GA setting out in front of a plumbing shop.

[@janesmith5967]

There was one in my town but he’s been gone for at least 20 years now. This was a great video and brought back some memories.

[@thefleshexperience]

That was incredibly satisfying. I remember these Bunyan’s well from my childhood vacations. Good memories!

[@jefffawver888]

I remember as a child seeing these all over the midwest.Thank you for the memories.

[@MiamiMillionaire]

is there an archive somewhere online where you can see the different ones that existed back then?

[@AmericanGiants]

We are building a museum on Rt 66 for these giants, should be open next year. You may want to check it out.

[@colinl5951]

Nothing but trouble movie

[@colinl5951]

@@AmericanGiants hopefully not in that scum state Illinois.

[@Mjp74]

Theres one of these guys standing in Norwich Ct. Its so interesting learning there history! Thank you!

[@AmericanGiants]

I've seen him! Cowboy version right?

[@slimatmim]

I remember going to Paul Bunyan’s in Wisconsin for breakfast with my parents. Blast from the past.

[@larrysorenson4789]

Rhinelander?

[@mirella7792]

@@larrysorenson4789There used to be giant Paul Bunyan in Minocqua, WI in front of the Paul Bunyan restaurant. There also might be Giant Paul Bunyan in Wisconsin Dells too. But I’m not sure if they have one there. I wish they would’ve kept Paul’s hair red though. Otherwise they did a amazing job painting him.

[@geovanniinusa5973]

What a wonderful restoration on Paul and thank you to the buyer for saving him.

[@middleclassic]

I’ve always been fascinated with muffler men. Or Paul Bunyan’s, or golf guys, or whatever business they represented. Here in Los Angeles they used to be everywhere! I’m pretty sure the last standing one I saw was in the Lincoln Heights area of LA, somewhat close to Dodger Stadium. And not sure if it’s still there but I recall one in Orange County, sitting underneath a bridge close to where the 5 fwy & 55 fwy meet. It was minutes from that intersection heading towards the beach off the 55 fwy. But something tells me it may have been a fiberglass Bob’s Big Boy. Whatever the case, iconic for sure! Great work here!

[@paulclifton5532]

I'm glad to see someone who is wanting a piece of advertising history and restore it , back home in Virginia right across the Tennessee line . Pratt's Barn Restaurant they still have a big Indian that's been there since I was a kid in the 60s .

[@AmericanGiants]

I think his head fell off a few years ago and was restored.

[@joeputnam4131]

Great job men!!! I have seen a couple of the giants before, also some twenty years ago in northern Minnesota there was a yellow Moose...Lol honestly, an a giant buck that my wife took some pictures of.. Tourists coming through there no doubt had carved their initials and hearts with arrows through them all over this thing, except on the higher parts from where they could not reach. It was still an amazing work of art.

[@ComfortRoller]

Very nice, clean work. I restored a giant bird, "yardbirds" was a store in chehalis wa that had built two huge fiberglass/wood birds. The one left I did the work on had a tail that opened and the owners helicopter came out on tracks. Over 70' long and 35ish feet at the head. It was a solo project I took over after another team post and beamed the structure into shape as it had half collapsed. Its fate is still in the air as the original store is in terrible disrepair and while the community is attached to it, it's a lot to maintain without a business behind it. I could go on about all the history but I'll let anyone curious look it up.

[@austinado16]

This was really cool to watch! There is a giant Paul Bunyon and Babe the Blue Ox in the parking lot at "Trees of Mystery" in coastal northern California, just south of Crescent City. The giant has a voice actor who talks to visitors as they go to and from the parking lot, and I think he can waive his hand. Babe has a head that I believe can rotate. They've been there since the tourist attraction opened, as far as I know. I first saw them as a child, in 1974. They were still there 2yrs ago when my own daughter, now an adult, visited. It's amazing that they have survived in that rainy, damp, environment.

[@deannam-host6584]

This was very cool and interesting to watch and i found myself smiling the whole time. Thanks!

[@pamelahomeyer748]

This is wonderful news. I remember going from Michigan to California as a young girl and seeing a good many wonderful old advertisements like this and of course the dinosaurs. I'm glad to see these wonderful memories recaptured for future Generations. One of my favorite places to visit is in Amarillo Texas at The Tall Texan

[@TheJust22az]

I remember as a kid our family going to Bermidji, MN to see Paul Bunyan and the blue ox. It was quite a sight.

[@dawnsnyder216]

Very cool on restoration. I learned alot and understand the meticulous time put into them. Fantastic job to you all.

[@bzig8988]

I passed by one in Cheshire Connecticut (House of Doors) growing up, Never new about the history . Cool video

[@chriswitt2596]

Oh that was just wonderful. What a great video on something I would have never thought of. Thank you

[@midnitemanic2795]

There's one of those giants in Greeley, Colorado. He could really use some TLC too.

[@Tairone1337]

Amazing work! Thank you so much for documenting this!

[@starrystarrynight9822]

Love this! A LOT of hard work but very worth the result-looks fantastic!

[@astargmoneynevaendz999]

This was a very good video loved thankful for this you guys keep up the best work around

[@glorygracek.1841]

That is so neat! I have never seen one of these in real life, but I hope to someday! Amazing workmanship!

[@MikeH-sg2ue]

Cool! You’ve done a great job on this guy! It’s nice to know more of the history! I’ve seen a few of them in my travels!

[@palco22]

I remember the family driving through Bemidji, Minnesota in the late 50s and eating burgers and fries along side Paul Bunyan & Babe the Blue Ox Statues.

[@victorponce7238]

Nice restoration. It was a lot of detail work. I was impressed. The clear coat was a good choice. 👍😁

[@chrisdaugh]

There’s one of these guys in Escondido CA holding a muffler. He could use some TLC from these guys!

[@lady_of_the_funk]

Very nice 👍🏿! I appreciate the effort. That statue was beautifully restored. Excellent work.

[@kevo8498]

Thank you for sharing this with i us!!. Nice vid! And very interesting!!

[@mudlark4099]

This is an art I'm very interested in! Are there jobs available in the world to a beginner with an interest in fiberglass sculpture? Even the tedious hand sanding looks so enjoyable. He ended up looking absolutely wonderful. A beautiful piece of art.

[@natalieeis9284]

Why don't you contact the company? I am sure they know more.

[@MM-dn3de]

Voodoo airbrushing in ont, Canada

[@kishascape]

@@natalieeis9284 because the owner sold off the assets and destroyed the moulds.

[@kishascape]

No. You’ll have to become a real artist and painfully work hard on learning these yourself same as people who sculpt marble or paint and anything else.

[@AmericanGiants]

Depends on what state you hail from:)

[@starcrib]

I know it's stupid- but this made me very happy. Super cool BUISNESS and CRAFTSMANSHIP. 🇺🇸🌿🇺🇸

[@Sunday_Woodward]

So that’s where the 12ft skeletons from Home Depot come from!

[@liniki2212]

We have one in billings, mt. It's pretty cool yet weird looking

[@hopalstudiosjuliehattis]

That is so awesome. I grew up down the street from one. Kelly's sear cover king is the company that owned it. He held a wrench. So glad y'all are trying to save them.

[@saulsodos3536]

I remember this particular guy. There were two Paul Bunyan restaurants in Wisconsin, one in Minocqua and one in Wisconsin Dells.

[@davidtammyames1242]

There's another Paul Bunyan and Babe the blue ox in Oregon at the redwood forest.

[@princenamor1939]

These giants used to scare me as a kid. Now I want one.

[@mr.Drawgo]

4:35 this guys have a key for every door in town

[@herbemont7627]

Love the video, Mr. Bendo in front of Ralph's Muffler in Indy still going strong!

[@TheShavenChimp]

there is one in Elmsford NY at a BP gas station right off exit 7 on interstate 287 thats been there since at least the 80's. It has always been missing one arm

[@carolbrockmeier3679]

Thank you for restoring these iconic figures.

[@kristofferhellstrom]

I love how this video. The workmanship and pride in what they're doing.

[@heyadora6707]

There a nice Paul statue where I live in the forest of north Cali, he stands where there’s a National forest and there’s a sky trail and tours of the forest. He’s totally a tourist attraction. He has a big bull next to him too.

[@candicespencer2021]

Amazing restoration! So glad he was saved!

[@captlazer5509]

Amazing work! Another giant lumber jack saved. I remember a female giant fiberglass statue that oddly looked like Jackie Kennedy.

[@AmericanGiants]

Yes the Uniroyal Tire Lady, we restored one of those as well!

[@zyourzgrandzmaz]

There's a giant gnome on the highway by my house and wish someone could do this for him he's looking really rough the last few years

[@deniseyost9413]

I miss those guys!Glad someone is doing this!

[@cinm9565]

Beautiful work

[@joshtonry4291]

There is one here in Wichita Kansas, at Browns Tire on Broadway. He holds a Whitewall tire

[@stephenholmes5362]

Great restoration, you guys are the best!!!

[@ellenchavez2043]

Very cool! We've got a lot of figures in Chicago...most are kept pretty well.

[@ThatzUneek]

Where in Chicago?

[@ellenchavez2043]

@@ThatzUneek There's Flunky's Hot Dogs on the North Side....a hot dog couple on top of the hot dog stand. There's a Paul Bunyan on top of a store somewhere on 47th and Western. There's also a Tin Man on top of a plumbing company on the South Side. There used to be a giant Rainbow Cone outside the South Side store, but I'm not sure it's there anymore....to name a few. This is actually a question for Geoffrey Baer of WTTW. He has a number of different shows about Chicago. He also has a spot on Chicago Tonight called "Ask Geoffrey", where folks can send questions about Chicago.

[@wallstreettrader1]

@@ThatzUneek There used to be one in Chicago, the suburbs, I think at Irving Park and Medina Roads from the 60s to the '80s. Hopefully I got those roads correct. It's been a long time.

[@hd-xc2lz]

Was there variation amongst the '60s fiberglass giants? Any notion as to the range of choices?

[@glam0r0us]

Wah. There was one in Farmington @ Big O Tire. I would scream "theres my daddy 😊 !!!!" Haha. This is a great video. My dad worked with our Tribes Oil and Gas dept long ago. I would see him with the larger tools needed. 💙 great find.

[@RealSalica]

Amazing job !!

[@dreamlife477]

I met Mark Kline in northbridge !! He is one of the artists who created those!

[@darrinpennington]

Pretty cool. Nice work guys.

[@snakecharmer5647]

Felled on this video by accident!! Lol !!! Amazing job everyone!! I remember those all over America as a kid .. had to stop and subscribe to this channel!!! Good day and 👍🏻

[@joemasse4568]

When I was a kid in the late 60s 70s there was one of these guys at the Boro Drive in Attleboro Massachusetts, it was a cool thing to see!

[@AmericanGiants]

Thanks for the info, we have found records of one in that area in the 90s at a lumber mill so may be the same guy. The head is in a private collection but apparently the rest of him is still in storage somewhere out there.

[@spoosh13x13x13]

This is cool as growing up I always seen one of these giants in Elmsford Ny in a gas station before the Tap z bridge .. its nice to see history being preserved and even reused as these do make a cool sign and statement / draw in for people

[@courtneyrogers7683]

Very cool! Glad you are restoring these amazing giants

[@dingdongdaddy589]

There is one of these off of 95 NC/SC somewhere I forget. Pretty cool!

[@SwapPartLLC]

I remember one of these at a theme park called Enchanted Forest in Old Forge, NY. Went there several times as a kid.

[@DelishBish]

My family travelled along I-44 for years (now I do) to visit my grandparents and family. We passed one of these guys every holiday, and always looked forward to seeing him and other fun landmarks along the way. Thanks for the interesting video, I enjoyed going down "memory lane"!

[@AmericanGiants]

Do you remember the town where he stood and what he looked like? I'm always trying to keep track of the old sightings.

[@DelishBish]

@@AmericanGiants Sorry for the late reply. My memory is foggy, but it may be the one in the Osage Beach MO area. I haven't seen it in years though. I do however live closer to another one in Foristell, MO. It was damaged in a storm in 2018, but was repaired. RoadsideAmerica website keeps track of the Muffler Men. Hope this helps!

[@joebcool1981]

Porterville california.. the Paul Bunyan Inn.. the Ox was there too.. it's been years ago..

[@marlenalinne6100]

INCREDIBLE!! Keep up the good work.

[@dougtheviking6503]

Awesome Work Who would of thought . A market for old fiberglass statues.. How do you find all these old Giants .

[@RICDirector]

Read the comments. It's amazing to see how many people know where they are.

[@jennifer801]

Beautiful Restoration. How long does this take to complete? What does it cost?

[@suebennett6778]

Thank you for bringing him back!!

[@kingGeorgefan1]

This is so interesting. Good job!

[@13thravenpurple94]

great work Thank you

[@jeanhawken4482]

Wonderful restoration

[@joeplana7450]

Wow, this is amazing.. thanks for sharing.

[@bshays21]

We have one in our town. He used to have a blue buffalo with him. But they moved them years ago and I've never seen the buffalo again.

[@buzzsah]

What is used for the clear-coat? Nice Referb.

[@mdh1961]

Wow! Awesome job!

[@Mr74145]

There's one of those in front of a defunkt restaurant in kindeik Idaho called lumber jack restaurant.

[@j-rockwells3807]

We got one at a local tire shop White's Tire here in Wilson Nc he needs a little work done to him the elements really did a number on him

[@fredericmichel6287]

Good job guys thanks