The mystery of a vanished Muffler Man, reported missing since early 2002 from his ancestral perch in Clementon, NJ, has been solved. He's scheduled to be erected next to the Uniroyal Gal on the Black Horse Pike in Gloucester Township. When Trio Tires was sold, the owner accepted a bid from Ed Werbany Jr., owner of Werbany Tire World and home of the perky fiberglass lady with the tiny tire.

Ed paid about $10,000 for the big guy. Ed may move the Muffler Man to another store eventually, but we advise against it. His happy couple is unique in New Jersey. You'll find a cluster of brawny M-Men on the pier at Seaside Heights. The only other known pairing of Muffler Man and Uniroyal Gal is at Glenn Goode's sandblasting business, Gainesville, TX. And that's degenerated into a menage a trois since the Big John grocery clerk showed up.... [Thanks for clips and tips to Gail Cathey, Jim Hejl, and Craig Thom.]

Update - May 2003: The romance is over. Ed has erected the Tire Guy at his Royal Tire store on the Whiite Horse Pike in Magnolia, NJ.

[12/22/2002]