Buck Atom’s Cosmic Curios on Route 66 in Tulsa will hold a celebration for the addition of its new Muffler Man fiberglass statue starting at 10 a.m. May 11 with music, food and area celebrities.
Joel Baker, known for the American Giants documentary series on YouTube, and his team will install the 20-foot-tall Muffler Man, named Buck Atom Space Cowboy, at the Route 66-themed souvenir store at 1347 E. 11th St. (aka Route 66) on May 10.
The speakers on the May 11 celebration will be:
- Michael Wallis, author of “Route 66: The Mother Road”
- G.T. Bynum, Tulsa mayor
- Matt Pinnell, Oklahoma lieutenant governor
- Abby Kurin, director of Tulsa Film, Music, Arts and Culture
- Joel Baker, American Giants
Store owner Mary Beth Babcock the event also will include music and a food truck.
Babcock still is raising money to cover the expenses of creating Buck Atom Space Cowboy and hauling it to Tulsa. She is selling commemorative bricks that can be engraved; the deadline to buy one is Feb. 28.
Muffler Men were all the rage during the 1960s, but many have disappeared over the years. It’s rare to hear of anyone making a new one, which is why this event is a big deal.
This map by Roadside America shows surviving Muffler Men exist along or near Route 66 in Chicago; Wilmington, Illinois; Atlanta, Illinois; Livingston, Illinois; Springfield, Illinois; Calumet, Oklahoma; Amarillo, Texas; Albuquerque; Gallup, New Mexico; Flagstaff, Arizona; and Los Angeles.
(A mockup design of the future Muffler Man coming to Buck Atom’s Cosmic Curios on Route 66 in Tulsa)
Where did it come from? Is this a new muffler man from Bell Plastics in Hayward, CA or Main Street Collectors in Hesperia, CA (on 66)? Or a ‘used’ one? If used, where did he live before? This is all critically important information 🙂
It’s Enchanted Castle Studios in Virginia, and Buck is new.
HOLY COW, a new vendor! Thanks for the info!
Great story! There’s always room for a few more giants. I’m glad some companies are stepping up to make them.