Raleigh, North Carolina: Muffler Man: Giant Decorator Man

The Bradsher Farms muffler man is up at his new digs. Great spot, too. He overlooks Gresham Lake and is visible from both I-540 and Capital Boulevard/Route 1. And he's been repainted back to the blue overalls and red shirt look from years ago.

He's on Overlook Road, off of Gresham Lake Road, just north of the intersection of I-540 and Capital Boulevard.

The muffler man north of Raleigh is slated to be moved to make way for development of the farm land he stands on. The "Giant Decorator," as he's been known in careers past, has stood in a regularly cultivated field for a number of years, promoting Bradsher Farms sand and soil business .

Now that the property -- some 260 acres -- has been sold out from under the big guy for housing and business development, he will move elsewhere with the owner...

It must be the "Queer Eye" makeover fad taking over. This muffler man, on 401 in Raleigh, is once again redone with a new spring look. All earth tone clothing with a classic blue cap. It's great to see he has a family looking out for him.

There seems to be a little confusion about the history of the Raleigh Muffler Man. While he currently stands in a sod field at Bradsher Farms, some folks say he used to stand out in front of Giant Decorator on Downtown (now Capital) Boulevard. Some, according to the tracking chart, say he was the muffler man on the roof at Giant Builders. Still others say he was both. So when I was out at the turf farm recently, I decided to get the real story straight from Mr. and Mrs. Bradsher. Turns out the Big Man IS the same guy that was out in front of Giant Decorator, but he's never done duty anywhere else. Mr. Bradsher said that he bought the big guy from Giant Decorator in the early 80's and that Giant Decorator had bought him directly from the manufacturer. In fact, Mr. Bradsher said he remembered watching the statue being uncrated and assembled (he was shipped in pieces) at Giant Decorator.

When the Big Man was first put up in Bradsher's field, he held a sign advertising what produce was currently for sale at the farm. That practice ran afoul of a sign ordinance, and now, according to Mr. Bradsher, "he's just art." (And contrary to a previous tip, the Big Man has never been in any danger of being moved for I-540 construction. He's not even remotely close to the path of the new highway.)

New duds for the old Muffler Man on 401 going out of Raleigh, NC. This attraction recently got fixed up with a new paint job making his shirt Yellow and his hat green. Must be getting ready for the Spring fashion show.