Birmingham, Alabama: Stan the Muffler Man (Gone)

I grew up around the Birmingham area. I have watched "Stan" move around over the years. I remember him being on the corner for years and even holding a transmission, as well as a few other items over the years. He definitely hasn't limited himself to mufflers. I can recall him wearing a Santa hat and I believe a beard once -- he could hold one mighty big toy bag.

I have tried several times to snap a picture of him but since he is on the passenger site on the lanes closes to him, it is a little tricky when driving to get a clear shot. I finally had one turn out and wanted to share it to show you he is alive and doing well - he may have had some concrete surgery but is in fine shape. There aren't any great places to pull off and pose with him but you can find a parking lot or two that you could jog down from to get a little closer. He can't been seen from the interstate but if you are passing thru Birmingham on Interstate 59/20 on the east side of town (toward Atlanta) it would be a quick trip to see him and get back on track - no more than 15 minutes if the light catches you both ways.

Stan is back at his post on HWY 79/Tallapoosa St (near the airport). He is now prominently displayed (I guess that term might be somewhat redundant in describing a Muffler Man) in front of a tire business, easily seen from the highway.

When I was little back in the 70's, Stan used to stand at the corner of 3rd Avenue South and 24th Street at a car repair shop. The building still stands and has now been converted into a church, but you can still see the street corner where he stood for several years.He stood there for a long time with one of his feet broken after being run over by a car. I don't remember whether they fixed his foot there, but when it was placed on the business by I-65, it had been fixed.

I believe that "Stan the Muffler Man" as you call him has been moved to a business on Hwy 79 or better known as Tallapoosa Street. He is currently laying on his back and has been there for some time. I pass him on my way to work every day.

I was in Birmingham over the weekend, and Stan the Muffler Man was gone from his building. It looked like the building had been repainted since I was last there. I don't know if he was moved because of that, or if the business was bought out, or if he was taken down to be refurbished. I would be very sad if he was gone for good. He's been there for as long as I can remember. I live in the northern part of the state, and don't read any Birmingham newspapers, so I don't know if there was anything about him in there or not.