Wilmington, Illinois: Gemini Giant: Space Age Muffler Man

The Gemini Giant -- America's Space Age Muffler Man -- may leave Wilmington, Illinois for a new home -- but we're hoping not. Owners Jerry and Sharon Gatties have put their Launching Pad Restaurant and its mascot up for sale, planning to retire....

We visited on Memorial Day and the Gemini Giant is in great shape. Also, we ate at the Launching Pad restaurant and the food was great. Only cost eight bucks for me and my wife for lunch.

I wanted to provide an update to the Gemini Giant located along Route 66. The last update you have showed duct tape around the ankle. I have a photo from May of 2002 and things look like they're back in tip-top shape for the Gemini Giant.

Here is a photo of our local hamburger icon "Space Man" - muffler man's damaged leg. The ankle has been completely broken through (repaired with duct tape), with cracks running down either side of the foot. In addition, there is a horrible fist-sized hole atop his right foot, as well as a several nasty gouges. The "Gemini Giant" (as he is known locally) had no comment.

Regular visitors driving through this quaint Midwestern town along old Route 66 often visit The Launching Pad drive-in, a local favorite eatery that is home to the "Space Man" muffler man, probably the town's "most photographed" citizen, and featured on the Roadside America website.

Well, the Spaceman is not feeling so well as of late. Sometime in the wee small hours of the morning a couple of weeks ago, a truckdriver backed into the Spaceman's massive right leg, causing a severe ankle crack, completely severing the right ankle. It is now temporarily repaired, bound in duct tape (a testament to the town), awaiting a permanent fiberglass repair when the weather warms, according to an employee. "The guy didn't even report he did it," according to the employee.