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Illinois Muffler Men (page 1)

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Muffler Man
Evergreen Park, IL
 Muffler Man
Springfield, IL
The Muffler Man in Evergreen Park is installed on the roof of Guardian Auto Rebuilders. In 1998, it was knocked over in a tornado but was repaired and given a fresh coat of auto paint. When the first two photos were taken in 2001, the statue appeared to be covered with metal flake paint. By the last two photos in 2010, the paint seemed more muted. This statue no longer has any feet. Most likely, they were cemented in place at a previous location and had to be severed to relocate him.

The Muffler Man in Springfield stands in front of Lauterbach Tire and Auto Service. In 2001, the tire in the statue's hand was replaced with an American flag. In 2006, the statue was struck by a tornado and was missing his head for awhile. For more, see this website.

Mr. Bendo
Chicago, IL
 Frankenstein
Burbank, IL
The Mr. Bendo in Chicago is installed at Ted's Auto Body. He holds or bends an iron bar. Mr. Bendo was a chain with other locations in Illinois, Indiana, South Dakota, and maybe elsewhere. In 2010, the statue's upper torso was knocked off in a storm (third photo). The owner plans to repair him. However, as of 2013, the statue remains broken. The upper torso is no longer on the roof but the head is still there.

This Frankenstein statue is installed at the Haunted Trails mini golf and entertainment center. The statue is either a greatly modified Muffler Man or was simply inspired by them. Possibly, the lower half was a Muffler Man and the top half was custom built. Haunted Trails opened in 1975 and it is believed the statue was there from the beginning. The place was originally known as Happy Trails and either this statue was painted like a clown then or there was another statue there. For more, see this website.

Capitol Cigar
Chicago, IL
The Muffler Man Indian on the roof of Capitol Cigar has an Eye Care Center sign bolted to his chest. He used to hold an iron bar like the Mr. Bendo statues (see above). The statue appeared in the movie "Wayne's World." Sometime between 2001 and 2006, eyeglasses were added to this statue and his Eye Care sign was replaced.

Muffler Man
2001:
Cicero, IL
 2005:
Atlanta, IL
This Muffler Man was installed at the entrance of Bunyon's restaurant in 1965. In 2003, Bunyon's closed. Later that year, the statue was restored and installed in a park in Atlanta, IL where it is known as "Tall Paul". For more, see these websites: 1 and 2.

auto shop
2001 in Ham Lake, MN
 Left Field Louie [gone]
2009 in Joliet, IL
The Ham Lake Man was sold for $10,000 and moved to Joliet, IL in 2003 where he was restored as Left Field Louie. Left Field Louie was the mascot for the Joliet Jackhammers minor league baseball team. He stood at the back of Silver Cross Field and made noise and smoke when the Jackhammers hit a homerun. In 2011, the team was renamed the Joliet Slammers and this statue was removed. According to the last report, the statue was in storage in Minooka, IL. For more, see this website.

Gemini Giant
Wilmington, IL
There are conflicting stories about the origins of the Gemini Giant. One version is that the statue was originally a standard Bunyan-style Muffler Man. He was bought at an auction in 1965 and installed at a gas station in town. It was there that he was converted into an astronaut. At some point, the statue was moved to the Launching Pad drive-in restaurant. His helmet was either replaced or a larger hole was cut to reveal more of his face.

The other story is that the owners saw a Muffler Man at a National Restaurant Association convention in 1965. They ordered a customized astronaut-style statue directly from International Fiberglass. This story seems more plausible. However, I have seen a vintage photo of an astronaut Muffler Man at a gas station and it was identified as being located in Wilmington, IL.

This statue's face is lit from the inside the helmet at night. The statue has had two rockets stolen over the years. The Launching Pad restaurant originally opened in 1960 as a Dari Delite. It was renamed in 1965. As of 2011, the restaurant is for sale but still open. For more, see this website.

Ozzi Waterpark and Go Cart Park
previously in Palatine, IL
Greenhouse of Crystal Lake
Crystal Lake, IL
The Indian and Bunyan type Muffler Men at Ozzi Waterpark and Go Cart Park may have come from Adventureland, an amusement park in Addison, IL which closed in 1977. Both statues were missing their feet when the photos above were taken around 2001. They were probably sawed off when they were moved from their original location. Ozzi's closed in 2007 and these statues soon disappeared.

In 2009, these statues reappeared at the Greenhouse of Crystal Lake garden center. Both statues were restored but are still missing their feet.

Muffler Man
2001 in Melrose Park, IL
Muffler Man
2012 in Crystal Lake, IL
The Muffler Man statue shown above was originally located at Village Lumber in Melrose Park. In 2003, the statue was moved to Wolff's Flea Market where it was displayed inside a warehouse. By 2006, the flea market had closed and the statue disappeared.

Around 2009, the statue reappeared at Lumber Jacks Firewood in Crystal Lake. For more, see these websites: 1 and 2.

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