Stan, Birmingham's Muffler Man
Birmingham, Alabama
Report from Jerry Griffies, who repaired Birmingham's Muffler Man, downed and cut in half by strong winds in February 1998:
Yes, Birmingham's Muffler Man is repaired!
Originally, I went to GCR, atop whose building the Muffler Man stood, in order to photograph him. I got to the roof and the manager said they were having a hard time getting someone to repair him. So being the enterprising guy that I am, I said I would give them a bid.
Lo and behold, GCR called and said, "repair him." I researched materials and began the process of the repair. All equipment and supplies had to be hauled by rope to the roof. Scaffolding was set up and a "gallows" of sorts, with block and tackle built. We (I had help) hauled Stan's (Muffler Man's pet name) two halves up and together, screwed them together by way of a wooden infrastructure I built, and then re-fiberglased his middle. Stan is standing on a four foot pedestal which makes the top of his head at 22 feet.
We repainted him to GCR's uniform color. New guy wires were installed.
Stan's hands are not standard anymore. At some point in his history his left hand was turned around to face palm up. There are no current plans to place anything in his hands.
GCR company officials say that Stan was first on the ground and one employee said Stan was brought in in the middle 1950s, around 1954. I can't verify his exact date. Stan was dressed as a Santa Claus one holiday season.
Repairing Stan was an interesting project. I now feel qualified as an expert Muffler Man Repair Man. Should anyone need their Muffler Man repaired, I would be honored to give a bid. No locale is out of the way.
[11/21/1998]
