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Muffler Men along Route 66 (photos)

Geek's delight: Massive fiberglass statues dominate the parking lots and roadside attractions where they live.

Amanda Kooser
Freelance writer Amanda C. Kooser covers gadgets and tech news with a twist for CNET. When not wallowing in weird gear and iPad apps for cats, she can be found tinkering with her 1956 DeSoto.
Amanda Kooser
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Bunyon's Statue

Massive fiberglass statues dominate the parking lots and roadside attractions where they live along Route 66. Bunyon's Statue in Atlanta, Ill., once stood guard over a local cafe. He now tempts travelers with a large hot dog.
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Giant hot dog

He's not sharing that hot dog. The statues all come from the now defunct International Fiberglass in Venice, Calif.
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Gemini Giant

The Gemini Giant flaunts his rocket ship and space helmet at the Launching Pad Drive-In in Wilmington, Ill. This Route 66 icon cost the owners $3,500 in the mid-1960s.
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Pink elephant

If giant fiberglass men aren't enough for you, there are plenty of animals to watch out for along Route 66. This pink elephant in Livingston, Ill., is hard to miss.
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Harley-Davidson Muffler Man

The Harley-Davidson Muffler Man on Route 66 in Livingston, Ill., isn't as tall as his relatives, the Gemini Giant and Bunyon's Statue. Amanda Kooser, the author of the Geek's Guide to Route 66 reaches up for a handshake.
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Harley Muffler Man

The Harley Muffler Man on Route 66 was made by International Fiberglass. You can see where his arm was molded separately and then bolted into place.
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Beach Boy

The Beach Boy towers over every other fiberglass creation at the Pink Elephant Antiques Mall on Route 66 in Livingston, Ill. His friend, the Harley Muffler Man, hangs out nearby.
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Twistee Treat stand

Fiberglass isn't just for people and animals. This Twistee Treat stand on Route 66 in Livingston, Ill., makes it obvious that ice cream is on the menu. A Harley Muffler Man stands in a field nearby.

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