Muffler men roadside attractions were built to hold a variety of objects: American flags, mufflers, even hot dogs. This one was built to hold a cigar. And a chicken wing. And a bottle of hot sauce. Find the over-the-top Cigars & Stripes Muffler Man in Berwyn, Illinois watching over Route 66 from the top of a popular local restaurant and bar.
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.
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But the Cigars & Stripes Muffler Man was not built in the 1960s. It was built in 2022. Mark Cline of Enchanted Castle Studios created this modern-day muffler man using a mold.
The custom muffler man has Frankenstein’s monster stitches on his head and wrists and is smoking a cigar while holding a chicken wing and bottle of hot sauce.
But despite being a new creation, it still serves the same old purpose: to attract travelers from the road. Cigars & Stripes BBQ Lounge has served the local community for more than 21 years, sharing a passion for BBQ food, art, quality entertainment, and great beer. And this cigar-smoking, chicken-wing eating, hot-sauce guzzling fiberglass giant exudes that passion.
This muffler man, along with the Mini Spindle Replica down the road at Paisans Pizzeria, was made possible by a grant from the state in support of Route 66’s 100th anniversary in 2026.
Photos of the Cigars & Stripes Muffler Man in Berwyn, Illinois
