Muffler Men in Dallas, Texas

For a roadside attraction named “Muffler Man,” not a lot of muffler men actually hold mufflers. You’ll sometimes see axes, American flags, custom-built rockets, or, often, nothing at all. But for whatever reason, mufflers aren’t as popular accessories as you think they’d be. But there are three Muffler Men in Dallas, Texas and each one of them actually carries a muffler.

Muffler men roadside attractions are fiberglass giants who stand anywhere from 14 to 25 feet tall. Each has a similar design and was built between 1963 and 1972 by International Fiberglass in Venice, California. With signature stances, these big men stood outside of muffler shops and other businesses to call attention from the road.

Dallas, Texas is home to three muffler men: one standard type and two “happy halfwits.” And they are all connected.

According to posts on Roadside America and American Giants, brothers in law Bud and Ken Johnson opened a muffler shop together called Bud and Ken’s in the mid-1960s. Inspired by a Big Boy statue at Kip’s Big Boy across the street, they purchased a giant muffler man from International Fiberglass and installed it at their business. The business partners separated soon after and this location continued to operate as Bud and Ben’s Muffler and Front End Service. Ken went on to open other shops named Ken’s Muffler where the two Happy Halfwit muffler men in Dallas live.

All three are a quick 10 or so minute drive between. I spent about two hours exploring the three locations, though that included a lot of self portraits and a stop at a Starbucks drive through. All three businesses are closed on Sundays, which makes for a great time to visit if you don’t want employees staring at you taking photos.

Muffler Men in Dallas, Texas

Standard Muffler Man in Dallas, Texas

308 W Illinois Ave, Dallas, TX 75224

This standard muffler man is clean shaven and wears head-to-toe blue, mimicking a mechanic’s uniform. He stands high in the sky on top of a pedestal sign and carries a giant muffler that is printed with the words “MUFFLER” in bright red. The business now operates as Reyes Muffler

Muffler Man in Dallas, Texas
Muffler Man in Dallas, Texas
Muffler Man in Dallas, Texas
Muffler Man in Dallas, Texas
Muffler Man in Dallas, Texas
Muffler Man in Dallas, Texas
Muffler Man in Dallas, Texas
Muffler Man in Dallas, Texas
Muffler Man in Dallas, Texas
Muffler Man in Dallas, Texas
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Muffler Man in Dallas, Texas
Muffler Man in Dallas, Texas
Muffler Man in Dallas, Texas
Muffler Man in Dallas, Texas
Muffler Man in Dallas, Texas
Muffler Man in Dallas, Texas

Happy Halfwit Muffler Man in Dallas, Texas #1

Ken’s Auto Repair and Muffler, 4212 N Central Expy, Dallas, TX 75206

Happy Halfwit muffler men (also known as Mortimer Snerd, Alfred E. Neuman, S.F.B., and Country Bumpkin) have stances similar to others of their kind but with goofy heads reminiscent of Mad Magazine’s Alfred E. Neuman. With big ears, wide jaws, and gap-tooth smiles they are often funny sites to see on a road trip.

Find this one at Ken’s Auto Repair and Muffler in Dallas, Texas.

Happy Halfwit Muffler Man in Dallas, Texas
Happy Halfwit Muffler Man in Dallas, Texas
Happy Halfwit Muffler Man in Dallas, Texas
Happy Halfwit Muffler Man in Dallas, Texas
Happy Halfwit Muffler Man in Dallas, Texas
Happy Halfwit Muffler Man in Dallas, Texas
Happy Halfwit Muffler Man in Dallas, Texas
Happy Halfwit Muffler Man in Dallas, Texas
Happy Halfwit Muffler Man in Dallas, Texas
Happy Halfwit Muffler Man in Dallas, Texas
Happy Halfwit Muffler Man in Dallas, Texas
Happy Halfwit Muffler Man in Dallas, Texas

Happy Halfwit Muffler Man in Dallas, Texas #2

Ken’s Muffler & Brakes, 3537 W Northwest Hwy, Dallas, TX 75220

A third Dallas muffler man can be found at Ken’s Muffler & Brakes near Love Field Airport. It’s a Happy Halfwit like its counterpart at the other Ken’s, but this one is closer to the ground…and the street.

Happy Halfwit Muffler Man in Dallas, Texas
Happy Halfwit Muffler Man in Dallas, Texas
Happy Halfwit Muffler Man in Dallas, Texas
Happy Halfwit Muffler Man in Dallas, Texas
Happy Halfwit Muffler Man in Dallas, Texas
Happy Halfwit Muffler Man in Dallas, Texas
Happy Halfwit Muffler Man in Dallas, Texas
Happy Halfwit Muffler Man in Dallas, Texas
Happy Halfwit Muffler Man in Dallas, Texas
Happy Halfwit Muffler Man in Dallas, Texas
Happy Halfwit Muffler Man in Dallas, Texas
Happy Halfwit Muffler Man in Dallas, Texas
Happy Halfwit Muffler Man in Dallas, Texas
Happy Halfwit Muffler Man in Dallas, Texas
Happy Halfwit Muffler Man in Dallas, Texas
Happy Halfwit Muffler Man in Dallas, Texas
Happy Halfwit Muffler Man in Dallas, Texas

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There are three Muffler Men in Dallas, Texas and each one of them actually carries a muffler. There's a standard muffler man and two happy halfwits. This roadside attraction was popular in the 1960s and can still be found on a US road trip or Texas road trip today. #Texas #DallasTexas #RoadTrip #TexasRoadTrip #RoadsideAttraction #RoadsideAttractions
There are three Muffler Men in Dallas, Texas and each one of them actually carries a muffler. There's a standard muffler man and two happy halfwits. This roadside attraction was popular in the 1960s and can still be found on a US road trip or Texas road trip today. #Texas #DallasTexas #RoadTrip #TexasRoadTrip #RoadsideAttraction #RoadsideAttractions
The Road Trip Journal & Activity Book - Everything You Need to Have and Record an Epic Road Trip! By Valerie Bromann

The Road Trip Journal & Activity Book

Everything You Need to Have and Record an Epic Road Trip!

BY Valerie Bromann

Enjoy fun games and challenges to pass the time on your next road trip and have a keepsake to look back on for years to come with this entertaining must-have for your next vacation.

The road trip you’ve been dreaming of starts here! Journal about your stops and get to know your fellow passengers with activities and exercises designed to pass the time and bring you closer together. Instead of “Are we there yet?” you’ll find yourself asking, “We’re there already?”. Complete with prompts you can turn to while driving between locations, this journal will one day be a memento of your life-changing trip.

VALerie BROMANN

Founder & Head Road Tripper

Val is the founder and head road tripper at Silly America. Having grown up near Berwyn's famed car kabob, The Spindle, and a restaurant with a cow on its roof, her fascination with roadside attractions started early. Today, Val has visited hundreds roadside attractions across the United States and is constantly on the lookout for the next BIG thing!