Wilmington, Illinois: Gemini Giant: Space Age Muffler Man (In Transition)

Outfitted for short-sleeved space travel, this fiberglass giant guarded the Launching Pad drive-in on Route 66 since 1965. Sold on March 20, 2024, for $275,000.

One of the spaciest of all Muffler Men is for sale but it has a significant catch.

The Gemini Giant was sold at auction this for $275,000. After hours of speculation it was revealed that the buyer was the Joliet Area Historical Museum. The museum then promptly donated the Gemini Giant back to the city of Wilmington. The Mayor of Wilmington sent out a press release acknowledging this and announcing that the Gemini Giant will be moved to the city's South Island Park, on Route 66.

I figured I'd alert everyone to the fact that the Gemini Giant is now lit up every night. The new owners of the next-door Launching Pad Drive-in installed the lighting in 2019. If you can't stop by during the day, stop by at night!

For the first time in over 50 years, the Gemini Giant briefly glimpsed the world without his helmet. It was removed for a few hours on May 15 while the Muffler Man underwent a cleaning and minor repairs, courtesy of his new owners, Holly Barker and Tully Garrett. To their surprise, they discovered that the helmet, designed to be held in place by four bolts, was down to just one. And the Giant's damaged silver space shoes will now be protected; Barker and Tully are installing barriers to keep them from being run over by any more cars.