Springfield, Illinois: Lauterbach Tire Muffler Man
Flag-carrying giant has been standing at this business since 1978. His head was blown off by a tornado, but the locally-famous "Lauterbach Giant" was quickly re-capitated.
Lauterbach Tire
- Address:
- 1569 Wabash Ave., Springfield, IL
- Directions:
- Lauterbach Tire. On the southwest side of the city, on Wabash Ave./Hwy 54, five blocks west of MacArthur Ave. On the north side.
- Phone:
- 217-546-2600
- RA Rates:
- Worth a Detour
-
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The Lauterbach Tire Muffler Man is really big. The guys at the tire shop are awesome! I needed air in my tires and they helped me out on the spot!
[Mary Blair, 06/01/2019]
This Muffler Man hit the 40 year mark at his present location in front of Lauterbach Tire. He looks better than ever with a fresh coat of paint! He's now wearing a nice pair of brown hiking boots instead of his previous pair of silver/grey moon boots. And new black bungees are helping him hold up his flag.
[Mike Gassmann, 10/22/2018]
Two years have passed since the old dear was tragically and mysteriously decapitated (yet not knocked over) by the tornadoes that blew through here. His head isn't going anywhere without his body, as you can see from the Frankenstein-esque bolts in his chest. He does, however, need a new coat of paint...his skin looks a little sick.
[Rebekah Jones, 03/25/2008]
One year after the restoration, and the Lauterbach Tire Man is still looking great. Luckily, the head was cleanly ripped from his shoulders by last March's twister, so the guys at a local auto repair shop who specialize in fiberglass were able to patch him up amazingly quickly. How lucky we are that a) they found the head intact and b) we live in a community that cared enough about this gentle giant to restore him rather than scrap him.
[Chuck McCue, 03/26/2007]
A tornado hit Springfield, IL on Sunday night (March 12, 2006) causing heavy destruction to the southern end of town. While there appear to have been no casualties, the Lauterbach Tire Muffler Man did not weather the storm well. From a picture published in the State Journal-Register (the local paper), he appears to have been decapitated. I haven't seen the damage personally, but the bar next door lost its roof.
[Patrick Pospisek, 03/14/2006]Page of 2 [Next 5 items]
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March 30, 2006: The head has been reattached to the Lauterbach Muffler Man. Chuck McCue reports: "The city delayed the annual St. Patrick's Day parade until the 25th because of all the weather, and the City Power crew who 'rescued' the head displayed it prominently on the front of their float." March 15, 2006: Chuck McCue reports the head was found "about a block away behind what was left of the Barrelhead Restaurant and Bar. "