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New Jersey Muffler Men

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Royal Tire & Auto
Magnolia, NJ
The Royal Tire Man was previously in Clementon, NJ at Trio Tire (see left hand photo). He was ordered with a military-style cap to make him less Bunyan-like and more like a tire guy. He was installed on the roof there in the mid-1960s. In 2002, when Trio Tire was sold to Tire Corral, Royal Tire bought him for $10,000, moved and repainted him. His hat is now in storage.

Playland's Golden Galleon Pirate's Golf
Ocean City, NJ
This guy at Playland's Golden Galleon Pirate's Golf is an example of the rare, factory-ordered Pirate variation. He stands just inside this mini golf course on the Boardwalk. For more, see this website. There is another Pirate Muffler Man in Ocean City, MD.

Wilson's Carpet
Jersey City, NJ
The Wilson's Carpet Man holds a giant rolled-up carpet. Norm Wilson bought "The Man" from Lafayette Sign who had previously bought him from an Amoco gas station. Another source says the statue came from North Carolina and was purchased for $5,000. In 1974, the statue was installed on the roof of Wilson Carpet's first store. In 1990, he was moved to their new location and the sheet metal carpet roll was placed in his hands. This Muffler Man appears in "The Sopranos" TV series opening credits. A flag was added after September 11th. Around 2006, the statue was restored and an LED screen replaced the flag.

The lower half of another Muffler Man came with the first statue and stood in front of the store as well. The "Pants" were pink for many years but are now painted yellow. By 2007, the Pants were moved around to the backlot where they were raised up on a platform. At some point, this statue's right foot was damaged. By 2009, the Pants was moved back in front of the store.

Cowtown Rodeo
Woodstown, NJ
This Muffler Man is located at the home of the Cowtown Rodeo arena and farmers market. He was bought at an auction in 1975 and outfitted with a cowboy hat and gun. It is not known where he was before that. This guy has been altered significantly. The non-Bunyan type head looks closer to this this type but it is still not a match.

Dracula Muffler Man
Jackson, NJ
 Half-Wit Muffler Man
Jackson, NJ
This Dracula is only displayed in October for the Halloween season when Dracula's Domain (a haunted house) and the Haunted Hayrides are open. The statue has a Muffler Man head. The body is made of wood covered with a black tarp. This photo is from around 2001. For more see this website.

This Half-Wit Muffler Man is displayed year-round on the same property as Dracula. This Alfred E. Neuman head was one of the Muffler Man options offered by International Fiberglass. This statue was originally located at the Steel Pier in Atlantic City, NJ. It was purchased and brought here in 1975. In 2004, the statue was taken down for restoration. It was reinstalled in 2006. These photos are from 2012. For more see this website.

Mr. Bill's Snack Shack
Winslow, NJ
Mr. Bill, another Half-Wit, was bought by Ray Giannascoli and brought to his present location in the mid-1980s. He was originally from a sandwich place that was about to be demolished. He is held in place with steel pipes running from his legs into the ground and guide wires set in concrete. Giannascoli's place was originally called "Bill's Drive-In". When he purchased the new statue, he renamed him Mr. Bill (a reference to the Saturday Night Live animated clay figure). In addition to the usual burger fare, Mr. Bill's has great homemade ice cream.

Boardwalk
Seaside Heights, NJ
The top row of photos were taken in a driving snowstorm around 2001. The Seaside Heights Boardwalk had two Half-Wits and a Bunyan type statue at that time. For more, see this website.

In 2002, the Bunyan was severely damaged in a storm. That statue has not returned. There is also now just the one Half-Wit on display. In the middle photo, he was freshly painted for the coming season and in a prone position on the Pier. This suspenders-wearing Half-Wit was then moved back to his rooftop position on the Boardwalk (bottom row). The axe-holding Half-Wit that was originally on the Pier is in storage.

Orr's Carpeting
Deerfield, NJ
This Viking is 21 feet tall and was at Orr's Carpeting since about 1968. In 2006, Orr's Carpeting was sold (although it still seems to have the same name) and "Erik the Viking" was moved to the front lawn of the residence next door (two photos at right). At one time, this guy would have held a shield and sword. These statues were originally built for the Carpet Viking Company. There may have been only 11 of them produced. For more, see this website.

More NJ Muffler Men:
Barnacle Bill's Amusements (Ortley Beach)

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