George's Mufflers
Bakersfield, CA
Photo by RoadsidePeek.com

Standing tall and dressed in several bright colors, the fiberglass giant at George's Mufflers looks ready to handle just about any automotive emergency in Bakersfield. Not quite sure what he is holding, but it certainly looks big enough to get the attention of passing motorists.

This fellow belongs to the family of roadside figures commonly known as Muffler Men. Most were produced during the 1960s by International Fiberglass in Venice, California. Their standardized arm position allowed business owners to place just about anything between their hands, including axes, signs, tires, and, naturally, oversized mufflers.

These giants were shipped to businesses across the country and repainted to suit their surroundings. Some became lumberjacks or cowboys, while others ended up guarding gas stations and auto shops. George's colorful version appears to have been given the important job of watching over muffler repairs.

UPDATE: The exact Bakersfield location of George's Mufflers has not been identified, and the current whereabouts of its fiberglass giant remain unknown. Hopefully the big fellow is still out there holding onto whatever that thing is. 09-26