The Hi-Way Cafe near Vinita, Oklahoma, recently announced it had acquired a second Muffler Man that will be added to its premises.
The Route 66 restaurant stated on Facebook that it will move its Big Bill fiberglass statue next door to its Western Motel and its fabulous neon sign.
That’s so it makes way for Big Al, a chief giant, “over the next few weeks.”
The restaurant confirmed that the 21-foot-tall Big Al was snagged from a now-defunct food-truck court — also on Route 66 — in Springfield, Missouri. The Muffler Man was put up for auction.
“We can’t wait for you to meet him. This guy’s ready to flip some burgers and steal some hearts,” the restaurant stated.
Big Bill, the other Muffler Man at the restaurant, was a Mobil 1 model commissioned for the motor oil company’s “Keep Route 66 Kickin'” campaign in 2022.
Big Al was commissioned for the Route 66 Food Truck Park in Springfield and erected in 2020.
“Because of the Covid outbreak and impact, the business like hundreds of others across the country, shuts down mid-2020 and never reopens,” USA Giants wrote. “The building is put up for sale with the giant included because the owners hoped someone else would want the giant. Now five years later, the owner is willing to separate the giant from the business and sell it separately.”
The Hi-Way Cafe and adjacent Western Motel have greatly raised their Route 66 profiles in recent years with property improvements and new or refurbished neon signs.
(Image of Big Al of the Route 66 Food Truck Park in Springfield, Missouri, via Facebook)
I’ll say it again…the proliferation of muffler men is devaluing them. Muffler men condoms are definitely needed asap.