Standing above the corner in Escondido, the Joor Muffler man has traded his usual work clothes for a Santa suit. Even dressed as good ol’ St. Nick, this fellow keeps an oversized muffler handy. Apparently the sleigh might need a little exhaust work before making its rounds.
The fiberglass giant has watched over Valley Parkway and Juniper Street since around 1967. Made by International Fiberglass of Venice, California, he belongs to the familiar family of roadside Muffler Men built to catch the attention of passing motorists. The Joor business dates back to 1931, giving the shop a few decades’ head start on its towering spokesman.
Joor Muffler
Escondido Photo by RoadsidePeek.com
Santa isn’t his only seasonal assignment. The big fellow has appeared with a pumpkin head for Halloween and dressed as a cyclist for the 2013 Tour of California. Whatever the occasion, finding an outfit in his size probably takes more than a quick trip to the clothing store.
UPDATE: The Joor Muffler man has been at this location for 40 years. He wears different costumes or outfits. 11-20
UPDATE: The Joor Muffler man remains a fixture at the shop. His Santa tradition returned in December 2019 after roughly a decade away, with a durable replacement suit made by neighboring Sickel’s Fabrics & Upholstery. Shop owners Erica and Nick Manning also repainted and restored the figure in May 2023, giving the longtime roadside landmark a fresh look. 10-26
Bill Jenkins Muffler (Gone)
Vista CA Photo by RoadsidePeek.com
Waving from above the roof in Vista, the Bill Jenkins Muffler man gave passing motorists a friendly hello. His lofty perch made the shop easy to spot, even for travelers whose cars weren’t making any unusual noises.
Made by International Fiberglass in the classic Paul Bunyan style, the giant watched over a shop also known as Jenkins’s Giant Muffler and Ed’s Giant Muffler. By March 2007, he was sporting a black and yellow checkered shirt.
UPDATE : Jenkins man has left the premises. Many thanks to Lance Chang for update.
UPDATE: The figure was sold and removed in 2007, then relocated to a log cabin home business in North Carolina. The former shop building survives as a renovated commercial property, but the rooftop wave is gone. The giant’s current whereabouts remain unconfirmed. 10-26
Joor Muffler
Joor Muffler
Bill Jenkins Muffler (Gone)
