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North Carolina Muffler Men

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Big Man
Raleigh, NC
The Big Man orginally held a paintbrush and can at a Giant Decorator store in Raleigh. When that company went out of business in 1984, the Bradshers bought him and moved him to their farm (top photos). The statue once held signs advertising fresh produce. In 2008, the statue was restored and moved from Bradsher's Farm to their landscaping business (bottom photos). The statue still wears the painter's cap and overalls from his Giant Decorator days. These photos are from 2010. In 2011, he was repainted again with a green shirt and cap. For more, see these websites: 1 and 2.

Muffler Man
Bub Hyder's Ranch
Edneyville, NC
 Indian Muffler Man
Bub Hyder's Ranch
Edneyville, NC
The Muffler Man and Indian Muffler Man are part of the simulated Western town at Bub Hyder's Ranch. There is also a Pioneer (see below), a couple steer statues and a Chip's figure. For more, see these websites: 1 and 2.

Hill Cadillac
Asheville, NC
This Asheville Indian had his feather stolen about 20 years ago but it was returned. For more, see this website.

Erwin High School
Asheville, NC
This Asheville Indian, aka Chief Willy, is located in front of Erwin High School. The school's sports teams are called the "Warriors" and the "Lady Warriors" (previously the "Squaws"). In 2001, there was much debate about removing the statue for being racially offensive, but he still stands. For more, see these websites: 1, 2, and 3.

souvenir store
Cherokee, NC
The Cherokee Indian stood in front of an old souvenir store when these photos were taken in 2007. At that time, he was flanked by two smaller Indian statues. By 2010, the store behind him had become the Indian Ink Tattoo Studio. I believe the smaller Indians are gone now. The larger Indian is now missing part of his headdress. For more, see these websites: 1 and 2.

White's Tires
Wilson, NC
White's Tires has two locations in Wilson with a Muffler Man holding a tire at both of them. The smaller style Bunyan Man is on the roof of their Goldsboro store and the classic, larger Bunyan stands next to their Hines St. store. The Hines St. Muffler Man's raised hand is more typical of his Indian counterpart. In 2011, the supporting cables of this Goldsboro Muffler Man snapped and he was removed. The store plans to restore and reinstall him.

Log Cabin Homes
Rocky Mount, NC
The Log Cabin Homes Muffler Man was previously installed in Salem, IL. In Salem, he was known as Stan the Tire Man, at a business with the same name. That location closed and the Muffler Man was moved here in 2007. The owner of Log Cabin Homes has at least three other Muffler Men in storage including the one from Vista, CA; Lakewood, WI; and one from Minnesota.

Billy Bob
Bill's Truck Stop
Lexington, NC
Daniel Boone
Hillsborough, NC
Pioneer
Edneyville, NC
 Pioneer Guy
Roanoke Rapids, NC
These Pioneer statues seem to be a standing version of the ones that are located in Moody, AL and Pinellas Park, FL. It is believed that all of these statues were created by Unique Fiberglass Figures which was located in NC. They called their mass-produced giant "The Big Man". According to one source, the last seated version was made in 1980 and that mold is now broken. It's unknown what the standing version of these statues originally held in their hands.

Billy Bob has been strapped to poles to keep him upright ever since Hurricane Hugo in 1989.

Daniel Boone is part of Daniel Boone Village, a complex of antique shops and tourist attractions. The Village opened in 1965 as Daniel Boone Country. This statue was originally from Virginia and moved here in the 1970s. The plastic sign is at the Boone Square shopping center which is just down the street from Daniel Boone Village.

The Edneyville Pioneeer is located just a mile or so from Bub Hyder's Ranch where two Muffler Men are located (see above).

The Roanoke Rapids Pioneer stood on the roof of Elmo Garner Jewelers in town until around 1989. He was then moved to the Roanoke Valley Sudan Shriners' Club. An oil drum was added to his hat to simulate a fez. The statue was repainted around 2008. For more, see this website.

More NC Muffler Men:
Indian (Leicester)

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