Big Mike, aka the Muffler Man is, at 20ft, a true roadside attraction. At Bell Plastics in Hayward, many of the old fiberglass attractions found a second home. Collector Bruce Kennedy has been restoring and preserving these giants since 2011.
Big Mike was originally installed in the 1960’s on Mission Boulevard at the Morris Car Wash in Hayward. Kennedy, who has now quite a collection of these oldies around, saved him. From a waving Santa to the octopus that formally decorated a car wash, it’s a trip to yesteryear.
There is also a Paul Bunyan statue, a giant lumberjack. The funniest I found was the Alfred E. Neuman giant, of MAD comics fame (he is sometimes called Half Wit)! This one got restored with a Hawaiian shirt and was briefly featured in the 2008 movie “Semi Pro.”
All statues seem to be missing the axes they once carried. There is one axe in the office that was left there by an anonymous donor. But it was too big for Big Mike.
I’m so glad that these statues found a savior! What a great roadside attraction.
Big Mike and all the other statues can be seen for free at Bell Plastics, located at 2020 National Ave., Hayward, CA. Opening hours are from 7:30 am to 4:30 pm, Monday through Friday, and Saturday, 10 am to 6:00 pm.
Thank you, Joel Baker, the founder of American Giants, for the comprehensive article on Bruce Kennedy’s collection.