| Land of the Giants |
| NEW JERSEY: MUFFLER MEN |
| Royal Tire & Auto Magnolia, NJ |
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| 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 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 |
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| 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 |
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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. The Giant stood on the roof of Wilson's first store. In 1990, he was moved to their new location and the carpet (made of sheet metal) 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 Man was restored and an LED screen replaced the flag.
The lower half of another Muffler Man came with the first guy and used to stand out front as well. They were moved around to the backlot at some point. The pants were pink for many years but have now been painted yellow. |
| Cowtown Rodeo Woodstown, NJ |
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| The Cowtown Man is at the home of the Cowtown Rodeo arena/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 appears to be an imitator or else he was greatly altered (e.g., not as muscular, odd smiling face, long-sleeved shirt, etc.). Cowtown is the home of the nation's oldest weekly rodeo (since 1929). There is also a Giant Cow nearby. |
| Dracula's Domain & Haunted Hayrides Jackson, NJ |
Vinci's Bar and Grill Jackson, NJ |
Mr. Bill's Snack Shack Hammonton, NJ |
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In Jackson, the Dracula is actually only a creatively painted Bunyan head with a black tarp cape. He is only displayed in October for Halloween. This photo was taken around 2001 - I'm not sure if they still have/use the head in this fashion.
On the same property, is the Half-Wit at Vinci's Bar and Grill. He is displayed year-round and is an original variation of International Fiberglass' Bunyan type. He was originally at the Steel Pier and bought/brought here in 1975. He is nicknamed "Ma Moo". In 2004, he was taken down for restoration and was reinstalled in 2006. For more see this website. 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 |
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Pardon the appearance of the top row of photos which were taken in a driving snowstorm around 2001. The Seaside Heights Boardwalk had two Half-Wits and a Bunyan type at that time. For more, see this website.
In 2002, the Bunyan was severely damaged in a storm and the owners are still trying to decide what to do with him. When I visited in 2007, he was still missing. There was also 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 missing. I don't know if he was put in storage, being restored someplace, or is now gone. |
| Orr's Carpeting Deerfield, NJ |
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| The Deerfield Viking is 21' 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. |
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Elsewhere in this Section:
Miss Uniroyal (Hilltop) |
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More NJ Muffler Men:
Barnacle Bill's Amusements (Ortley Beach) |
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NJ Misc. Giants |
Giants Main Page |
| [Main Roadside Page] |
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