Muffler
Utah
Photo by RoadsidePeek.com

This old muffler shop caught my attention because of its classic streamlined design. Buildings like this were once common along America's highways, but far fewer survive today in such good condition.

The rounded corners, horizontal lines, and curved facade are all hallmarks of the Streamline Moderne style that became popular during the 1930s and 1940s. Even a simple muffler shop could be designed to look futuristic in an era when America was fascinated with speed, automobiles, and the promise of the open road.

UPDATE: Unfortunately, the exact location and current status of this building remain unknown. Whether it still stands or has since disappeared, this photo preserves a great example of roadside architecture from a time when even a neighborhood muffler shop could have a little style. 06-26

Master Muffler
Layton, UT
Photo courtesy Tony Craig

This strongman is the face of Master Muffler in Layton. Over the years, these giant roadside figures have become some of the most recognizable automotive signs in the West.

Master Muffler was founded in Utah in 1963, and the company adopted the larger-than-life mascot to help drivers spot its locations from a distance. The muscular figure holding a muffler and shock absorber has become a roadside icon in its own right.

UPDATE: While the company has rebranded as Master AutoTech, the famous strongman remains standing along Main Street. Thankfully, one of Utah's most memorable roadside automotive mascots is still greeting passing motorists today. 06-26

Auto Parts
Logan, UT
Photo courtesy Tony Craig

This old Auto Parts sign in Logan featured something you don't see much anymore: personality. The giant arrow pointed customers straight to the front door and stood out from the sea of modern plastic signs that have taken over so many commercial streets.

The sign was a simple design, but that's part of its charm. Sometimes all it takes is a big arrow and a little neon to get your attention.

UPDATE: The business is gone, and the sign has been removed. Fortunately, photos like this preserve a time when even an auto parts store could have a memorable roadside presence. 06-26

Bud's Auto Repair (Closed)
UT
Photo by RoadsidePeek.com

You hold the wrench when it comes to the neon sign at Bud's Auto Repair. The giant glowing wrench helped make this one of those signs that was hard to forget once you saw it.

For years, the neon wrench lit up the boulevard and advertised the shop the old-fashioned way. No giant LED screens. No digital billboards. Just a well-designed sign doing its job.

UPDATE: The repair shop has closed, but the famous wrench sign survives. It's a great reminder of an era when even a neighborhood garage could have a little roadside style. 06-26

New Era Garage
Salt Lake City, UT
Photo courtesy Dave & Debra van Hulsteyn

Here's an old sign for New Era Garage in Salt Lake City. While the sign may catch your eye, the building behind it tells an even more important story.

Built in 1917, the garage became part of a remarkable chapter in Utah history during World War II. The property's owner, Tatsuo "Tat" Masaoka, helped Japanese-American families prepare their vehicles and belongings as they were forced from their homes following Executive Order 9066. 10-06

UPDATE: The garage itself is long gone, but the historic building remains standing and has been preserved as a local landmark. Today it serves a new purpose, while continuing to remind visitors of an important and often overlooked chapter of American history. 06-26