Universal Muffler Man

Not every Muffler Man is a survivor from the 1960s. This one was made for the Route 66 Experience at the Illinois State Fairgrounds in Springfield, an exhibit that the Illinois State Fair describes as self-guided and covering the 92 communities along Illinois Route 66, from Chicago to the Chain of Rocks Bridge in Madison. According to Ace Sign Co., the Springfield sign maker that designed, engineered, fabricated and installed every element of the exhibit, the figure is a custom 20-foot metallic Muffler Man holding an illuminated American flag. It stands in a Muffler Men tribute area with tributes to famous giants along the route, including the Gemini Giant and the Lauterbach Man. Nearby are the Legends Neon Sign Park, vintage billboards and drive-in theatre replicas. The exhibit was led by the Illinois Route 66 Scenic Byway with Visit Springfield, the Illinois Department of Agriculture and Enjoy Illinois, and Ace Sign says two state tourism grants funded it in anticipation of the Route 66 centennial. The Illinois State Fair describes the Experience as free and open 365 days a year.