Muffler Man and Long Horn Steer – Waukon, Iowa - Atlas Obscura

Muffler Man and Long Horn Steer

Waukon, Iowa

A rare case in which a Muffler Man is upstaged -- by a longhorn steer that's even bigger than he is. Rumored to have started as a Bunyan-and-Babe combo. 

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 A cowboy Muffler Man, in good condition, accompanied by a charging longhorn. A plaque between the Muffler Man’s feet that claims he was manufactured in Sparta, Wisconsin, at Creative Displays, the defunct forerunner of F.A.S.T. During the 1960s and 1970s, the International Fiberglass Company, based in California, produced colossal fiberglass figures for gas stations and muffler dealers, becoming iconic landmarks. These imposing Muffler Men typically stand between 18 to 25 feet tall, sporting a muscular physique with wide stances. They are dressed in short-sleeved work shirts and jeans, with arms extended forward, elbows bent. The right hand is palm up, while the left hand is palm down, designed to hold a giant muffler with ease. Initially, these Muffler Men lacked headgear, leaving the addition of hats or caps to the discretion of their owners. These clean-shaven figures boast heavy black eyebrows and wear a perpetual grin, presumably pleased with their oversized cargo.

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