More details emerge about Buck’s Vintage on 66 in Tulsa

A TV station in Tulsa revealed new details about Mary Beth Babcock's new-ish venture -- Buck's Vintage on Route 66 -- which includes yet another Muffler Man in the Meadow Gold District and a series of other businesses in the 66 Collective. Fox23 reported that Buck's Vintage is moving into the Hardesty Press building, now … Continue reading More details emerge about Buck’s Vintage on 66 in Tulsa

Native American fiberglass statue in Minnesota heading to American Giants Museum

A Native American fiberglass giant that stood in Bemidji, Minnesota, for more than 60 years is on its way to the American Giants Museum along Route 66 in Atlanta, Illinois. The so-called Big Indian has been Morell’s Chippewa Trading Post since 1963. According to the Bemidji Pioneer newspaper, which had photos of the giant being … Continue reading Native American fiberglass statue in Minnesota heading to American Giants Museum

Gemini Giant will remain in Wilmington for the next 20 years

The mayor of Wilmington, Illinois, announced the landmark Gemini Giant will remain in the city for at least the next 20 years. Mayor Ben Dietz stated in a Facebook post that the loan of the Gemini Giant from the Joliet Area Historical Museum has been extended through 2045. The city council approved the loan pact … Continue reading Gemini Giant will remain in Wilmington for the next 20 years

Entrepreneuer Mary Beth Babcock planning another 20-foot-tall Cowboy Bob in Tulsa

Entrepreneur and Route 66 booster Mary Beth Babcock is planning a fourth, 20-foot-tall Muffler Man giant named Cowboy Bob at one of her businesses in Tulsa. The Tulsa World had the details: The newest giant, Cowboy Bob, will be the mascot for Buck’s Vintage on 66 that is moving into the 66 Collective with other … Continue reading Entrepreneuer Mary Beth Babcock planning another 20-foot-tall Cowboy Bob in Tulsa

Route 66 advocate Mary Beth Babcock named Tulsan of the Year

Entrepreneur Mary Beth Babcock was named one of the Tulsa World's Tulsans of the Year for her advocacy of local tourism, especially along Route 66. Babcock opened the Buck Atom's Cosmic Curios on 66 in a former gas station in 2018, then added a specially commissioned, 21-foot-tall fiberglass giant named Buck Atom at the store … Continue reading Route 66 advocate Mary Beth Babcock named Tulsan of the Year

Gemini Giant will be installed in Wilmington park on Nov. 30

The restored Gemini Giant, once a fixture for almost 60 years at the Launching Pad Drive-In restaurant in Wilmington, Illinois, will be the focus of a party on Nov. 30 at his new home in Wilmington's South Island Park. According to a promotional flyer, the event from 1 to 3 p.m. that day will include … Continue reading Gemini Giant will be installed in Wilmington park on Nov. 30

American Giants Museum featured in the New York Times

The so-called "newspaper of record" has published a prominent story about the American Giants Museum in Atlanta, Illinois. The New York Times posted the story by reporter Valerie Schremp Hahn and St. Louis photographer Bryan Birks in its Fine Arts and Design section on Wednesday. It contains a lot of information about the museum's genesis … Continue reading American Giants Museum featured in the New York Times

Joel Baker to appear at American Giants Museum on Nov. 2-3

The American Giants Museum in Atlanta, Illinois, announced Joel Baker of American Giants LLC will be the volunteer docent at the museum from 1 to 4 p.m. on Nov. 2 and from 10 a.m. to noon on Nov. 3. Baker, who lives in Colorado and doesn't get to Illinois often, also will speak at the … Continue reading Joel Baker to appear at American Giants Museum on Nov. 2-3

Big A the Texaco Giant installed at Gearhead Curios in Galena

Big A the Texaco Giant, a specially commissioned 21-foot-tall fiberglass figure, was successfully installed Sunday at Gearhead Curios in Galena, Kansas. The giant, colloquially called a Muffler Man, was installed by ReGiant at the former Texaco station at 520 S. Main St. (Route 66). Here are a bunch of photos or videos from the event: … Continue reading Big A the Texaco Giant installed at Gearhead Curios in Galena

Are Muffler Men undergoing a big revival?

The short answer is yes. The Chicago Tribune a few days ago took a look at what one Route 66 advocate, Bill Thomas, called "a bit of a Renaissance" for the fiberglass giants, colloquially known as Muffler Men. The Muffler Men, made primarily by International Fiberglass in Venice, California, during the 1960s to the mid-1970s, … Continue reading Are Muffler Men undergoing a big revival?