American Giants Museum planned for downtown Atlanta, Illinois

Joel Baker, a Muffler Man aficionado who has created a website and documentary shorts about his obsession, announced this week he is planning an American Giants Museum site along Route 66 in Atlanta, Illinois, The museum will be almost directly across the street from the Bunyan Giant Muffler Man in downtown that once stood along … Continue reading American Giants Museum planned for downtown Atlanta, Illinois

Pink Elephant Antique Mall plans changes, including converting Futuro UFO to Airbnb

The new owners of the Pink Elephant Antique Mall along Route 66 in Livingston, Illinois, plan a number of changes, including converting the Future UFO into an overnight Airbnb site. Roy Wayne Pickerell announced on Facebook he and Tonia recently closed on their deal with previous owners Dave and Bernice Hammond to purchase the mall. … Continue reading Pink Elephant Antique Mall plans changes, including converting Futuro UFO to Airbnb

New documentary tells about an early champion of Muffler Men

Joel Baker, a Muffler Man enthusiast and preservationist, recently completed a 30-minute documentary film about the late Glenn Good, a Texan who spent decades repairing or salvaging the fiberglass giants back in the days when they weren't popular. One of Good's projects still stands at the Cadillac Ranch RV Park on Amarillo's west side, right … Continue reading New documentary tells about an early champion of Muffler Men

Accidental fire destroys Frecs the Miner statue in Galena

A fire sparked accidentally by maintenance work on Tuesday destroyed the 19-foot-tall Frecs the Miner statue along Route 66 in Galena, Kansas. Renee Charles, president of the Kansas Historic Route 66 Association, stated in a Facebook post that sparks during repair work on the statue's arm fell inside the structure and set it ablaze. Undeterred, … Continue reading Accidental fire destroys Frecs the Miner statue in Galena

Route 66 Food Truck Park, including Muffler Man, put up for sale

The Route 66 Food Truck Park in Springfield, Missouri, has been placed on the market, along with its 25-foot-tall Muffler Man statue the owner commissioned the venture. KY3 in Springfield reports that owner Kirk Wheeler, who opened the food-truck park nearly two years ago, is wanting to retire, so he's selling that and his Mother … Continue reading Route 66 Food Truck Park, including Muffler Man, put up for sale

For sale: One slightly used Muffler Man

A Muffler Man that once stood at a firewood business in northern Illinois recently went up for sale for $29,000. The American Giants account on Facebook, which sprang from an interest years ago about the fiberglass giants, posted information on Aug. 6 about the latest one on the market: This newest arrival is the one … Continue reading For sale: One slightly used Muffler Man

Video describes 16 Muffler Men on or near Route 66

A new video was uploaded on Thanksgiving Day that tells about 16 Muffler Men fiberglass giants -- including three new ones -- that stand on or near Route 66. The creator of the video is not just any fan. It's Stone Baker of the "American Giants" video series on his YouTube channel. He's not only … Continue reading Video describes 16 Muffler Men on or near Route 66

Buck Atom fiberglass giant in Tulsa gets its own face mask

Leave it to Mary Beth Babcock to find some high-profile levity during a worldwide pandemic. Babcock last week added a large bandanna mask to her 21-foot-tall Buck Atom fiberglass statue at her Buck Atom's Cosmic Curios on 66 shop in Tulsa in response to the city imposing a mask mandate amid a rise in coronavirus … Continue reading Buck Atom fiberglass giant in Tulsa gets its own face mask

A chat with Mary Beth Babcock, owner of Buck Atom’s Cosmic Curios on Route 66

Last week, Tim Landes of TulsaPeople magazine sat down for a chat with Mary Beth Babcock, owner of the Buck Atom's Cosmic Curios on 66 shop in Tulsa. For the uninitiated, the gift shop in a repurposed gas station at 1347 E. 11th St. (aka Route 66) not only commissioned its own Muffler Man fiberglass … Continue reading A chat with Mary Beth Babcock, owner of Buck Atom’s Cosmic Curios on Route 66

Buck Atom’s Cosmic Curios in Tulsa throws the switch on its new neon sign

Buck Atom's Cosmic Curios on Route 66 in Tulsa threw the switch on its new neon signs Wednesday evening during an event broadcast live on the internet because of the coronavirus pandemic. About 300 people tuned in on Facebook Live to watch the ceremony, which included honky-tonk music from Jacob Tovar and a documentary about … Continue reading Buck Atom’s Cosmic Curios in Tulsa throws the switch on its new neon sign