Archive for April, 2010

Sioux Falls Mr. Bendo Muffler Man

Posted by Val on April 23rd, 2010 at 1:53 pm | Permalink | No Comments » |

Here’s another Mr. Bendo Muffler Man — this one outside of Buck’s Muffler in Sioux Falls, South Dakota. Sorry for the horrible quality of these photos, but it was late and I was in a rush after convincing my traveling companion to just let me make one more stop.

In some sad sad news Mr. Bendo was recently involved in a drunk driving accident. In March a suspected drunk driver had a hit and run-in with the 15-foot muffler man damaging his legs greatly.

For more info you can like Mr. Bendo on Facebook or join the Save Mr. Bendo! Facebook group.

Site: Mr. Bendo Muffler Man
Location: 400 South Cliff Ave., Sioux Falls, SD
Cost: Free to see.
Hours: (Hopefully only) temporarily removed for repairs.
Date: August 30, 2008

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Mr. Bendo Muffler Man

Posted by Val on April 22nd, 2010 at 12:47 pm | Permalink | No Comments » |

This big boy is right in my own city! Standing on top of Ced’s Auto Body on Grand and Pulaski you’ll find another bunyan muffler man!

Site: Mr. Bendo Muffler Man
Location: 3940 W Grand Ave., Chicago, IL
Cost: Free to see.
Hours: Always visible.
Date: November 25, 2007

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Lauterbach Tire Muffler Man

Posted by Val on April 21st, 2010 at 12:33 pm | Permalink | No Comments » |

Muffler Man #2 this week stands outside Lauterbach Auto Service in Springfield, Illinois. While he looked perfectly fine when I met him in 2007, he had earlier undergone some tragedy when he lost his head in a tornado. Thankfully he was restored to glory and still proudly waves an American flag beckoning roadside travelers to come say hello.

Site: Lauterbach Tire Muffler Man
Location: 1569 Wabash Ave. Springfield, IL 62704
Cost: Free to see.
Hours: Always visible.
Date: July 15, 2007

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Muffler Man holding a Hot Dog

Posted by Val on April 20th, 2010 at 11:53 am | Permalink | No Comments » |

When you think of the word “Muffler Man” what do you think? Is it a guy who fixes your car? Or is it a person made from car mufflers? If you’re like me you think differently.

A muffler man is a fiberglass giant. He stands so tall at 18 to 25 feet that I can easily fit underneath his legs. His arms are bent in front of him: left palm down, right palm up making it easy for him to hold a muffler…or an ax, a flag, a rocket, a hot dog. Popularized in the 60s and 70s by International Fiberglass these roadside attractions were built to be just that: ways to attract customers to businesses.

In 1965 a muffler man was erected in Cicero, Illinois at a hot dog and burger restaurant named Bunyon’s.

In 2003 the restaurant closed but the legacy of the hot-dog wielding giant lives on. “Tall Paul” was restored and relocated to Route 66 park in Atlanta, Illinois where he still stands proud today.

Site: Muffler Man holding a Hot Dog
Location: Arch Street, Atlanta, Illinois
Cost: Free to see.
Hours: Always visible.
Date: July 15, 2007

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Sneak Peek: Muffler Man Week!

Posted by Val on April 19th, 2010 at 12:13 pm | Permalink | No Comments » |

Oh have you seen the muffler man,
The muffler man, the muffler man?
Oh have you seen the muffler man,
That lives out on the lane?
Oh yes I’ve seen the muffler man,
The muffler man, the muffler man!
Oh yes I’ve seen the muffler man,
That lives out on the lane!

Last week I brought to you the Gemini Giant Muffler Man. This week we’ll be celebrating some more of these big guys here at Silly America!

Sneak Peek: Muffler Man Week! | No Comments » |

Gemini Giant at the Launching Pad : 2007

Posted by Val on April 16th, 2010 at 1:33 pm | Permalink | No Comments » |

Here are a few photos of the Gemini Giant and Launching Pad restaurant from my first trip there back in 2007…

Site: Gemini Giant at the Launching Pad Restaurant
Location: 810 E Baltimore St, Wilmington, IL
Cost: Free to see. Lunch/dinner extra.
Hours: Always visible.
Date: July 13, 2007

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Gemini Giant at the Launching Pad

Posted by Val on April 16th, 2010 at 12:02 pm | Permalink | 1 Comment » |

The Gemini Giant is a 28-foot tall green space man who stands outside the Launching Pad restaurant in Wilmington, Illinois. In his hands he holds a giant 80foot rocket. He’s one of many muffler men spread throughout the United States.

Here are a few pics I took of him this past weekend. Stay tuned later today for some photos from my first trip there back in 2007.

Site: Gemini Giant at the Launching Pad Restaurant
Location: 810 E Baltimore St, Wilmington, IL
Cost: Free to see. Lunch/dinner extra.
Hours: Always visible.
Date: April 9, 2010

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