Regarding the Joor muffler Man, my father was the one that originally installed the giant muffler Man at that location, he owned a neon and plastic sign company and crane service in Escondido California, I was 10 years old at the time. It was a big deal for the whole city, it was quite a sight to see it dangling from my father's crane after being lifted off the flatbed truck. Thanks for keeping the history alive, 👍
I grew up in Poway. CA. We always knew these to be the 'Joor Muffler Man'. There was (and still is) a Joor muffler shop in Escondido, a couple miles up the road. We would pass by it on our way to cruise Valley Parkway in the late 70's/early 80's. There is one on Fair Street in Prescott, AZ, known as 'Big Johnson' for the realtor that was there at the time. He's now a 'Flooring Expert'. Love the story and research done.
I grew up with one in my town, Sioux Falls SD. It was a “muffler man” as well to us. It was at an exhaust shop. It’s still here, red shirt blue pants. Looks just like the original Paul B. giants
The 2 I knew of was an indian on top of a Pontiac dealership in San Antonio, TX. The dealership would put a SA Spurs shirt on him. People would shoot arrows at it. The other was an axe man, more recently about 15 years ago in a run down shopping area in Hayward, CA. Gone now.
I didn't realize that Flagstaff had a Paul Bunyan (many many years ago) so I did a little research. The picture you showed was a great help to figuring out where it was. Looking at where the resturaunt was at now shows new buildings. The giveaway were 3 street lights in the picture, those lights are still there amazingly. There is a giant figure that stands close to where the original PB was standing and it has been a lumberjack in standard garb and with a kilt.
It's actually the same building just has been added to and changed over the years. It became Granny's Closet and then eventually closed a few years ago. The current lumberjack was a replacement for the other two that once stood here. The original in the old picture was in the middle of the building along the road and the second one ordered stood where the kilt guy is now. Interesting history.
Thank you for this. I always new that they nicknamed them Muffler Men but i never knew they are the ones who came up with the Happy Half-wit term as well.
There's one of these Gentlemen Standing Guard in the Blvd Insurgentes Tijuana, where I was raised. But I've never understood where it came from and why it was there. I always thought it was like a mascot or a Logo. When I learned about the Muffler man standing allover the states, I did wonder if some independent craftsman made it or if its the same person that made the American ones
"I dont need that anymore" ah the good ole days,and thats why companies now require deposits and money up front and things of that nature, humans are fickle creatures.
Regarding the Joor muffler Man, my father was the one that originally installed the giant muffler Man at that location, he owned a neon and plastic sign company and crane service in Escondido California, I was 10 years old at the time. It was a big deal for the whole city, it was quite a sight to see it dangling from my father's crane after being lifted off the flatbed truck.
Thanks for keeping the history alive, 👍
I grew up in Poway. CA. We always knew these to be the 'Joor Muffler Man'. There was (and still is) a Joor muffler shop in Escondido, a couple miles up the road. We would pass by it on our way to cruise Valley Parkway in the late 70's/early 80's. There is one on Fair Street in Prescott, AZ, known as 'Big Johnson' for the realtor that was there at the time. He's now a 'Flooring Expert'. Love the story and research done.
I grew up with one in my town, Sioux Falls SD. It was a “muffler man” as well to us. It was at an exhaust shop. It’s still here, red shirt blue pants. Looks just like the original Paul B. giants
Yes I think I showed a short clip of your local Muffler Man at 0:31
The 2 I knew of was an indian on top of a Pontiac dealership in San Antonio, TX. The dealership would put a SA Spurs shirt on him. People would shoot arrows at it. The other was an axe man, more recently about 15 years ago in a run down shopping area in Hayward, CA. Gone now.
I was recently in Dallas and I saw those you feature here ☺️
I'm now hooked on these videos, thanks
Thanks for setting the record straight on why these giants are called Muffler Men. Great video!! 😊
Great history lesson!! I could watch this all day :)
Great video.
Have loved this channel for years.
I didn't realize that Flagstaff had a Paul Bunyan (many many years ago) so I did a little research. The picture you showed was a great help to figuring out where it was. Looking at where the resturaunt was at now shows new buildings. The giveaway were 3 street lights in the picture, those lights are still there amazingly. There is a giant figure that stands close to where the original PB was standing and it has been a lumberjack in standard garb and with a kilt.
It's actually the same building just has been added to and changed over the years. It became Granny's Closet and then eventually closed a few years ago. The current lumberjack was a replacement for the other two that once stood here. The original in the old picture was in the middle of the building along the road and the second one ordered stood where the kilt guy is now. Interesting history.
Muffler man in Dewitt Michigan. Locals called the Dewitt half whit .
The Sneads look like Alfred e. Newman...Porsche training center in so cal has a muffler man, dressed in a racing suit...
Back in the 70's - 80's, we would pass a Snerd on our way to Great Adventure. Excited when we saw him as we knew then we were getting close.
Thank you for this. I always new that they nicknamed them Muffler Men but i never knew they are the ones who came up with the Happy Half-wit term as well.
Yes it's some interesting history.
Thanks!!!!
Interesting. Thank you! 🙂
There's one of these Gentlemen Standing Guard in the Blvd Insurgentes Tijuana, where I was raised. But I've never understood where it came from and why it was there. I always thought it was like a mascot or a Logo. When I learned about the Muffler man standing allover the states, I did wonder if some independent craftsman made it or if its the same person that made the American ones
Probably was ordered from International Fiberglass by a business there. A few of them went to Mexico and South America.
I remember seeing a snerd version as a kid, I thought it was Alfred e. Newman from mad magazine
👍
muffler men are part of american history. i hope people keep restoring them. is it me or does snerd look like alferd e newman from mad magazine?
Yes it looks just like the Alfred but for some reason they chose the name Snerd instead. Maybe copyright issues?
On the price list you showed it said Confederate Soldier. Were any ordered? If so any still around?
Bell plastics in Hayward Ca has a few of these giants
Bikini girl is awesome
Im thinking the owner collects these
What was the name of the restaurant that PB was originally made for?
I'd have to say, the Snerds are not to my liking at all. That foolish grin!
"I dont need that anymore" ah the good ole days,and thats why companies now require deposits and money up front and things of that nature, humans are fickle creatures.