Lauterbach Tire Giant

1569 Wabash Ave., Springfield, IL 62704
Phone:

East < GO > West

The Lauterbach Tire Giant is holding an American flag. This is one of several "Muffler Man" statues along Route 66. He was severely damaged in 2006 when a tornado hit Springfield. His head was found two days later and reattached. Only his shirt and cap have changed colors. He has been at this location since 1978. The wind had rolled up the flag when we took this shot but that can change from minute to minute.

GPS: 39.764294, -89.679820

This location is on the 1926-1930 Route 66 alignment. But the statue started out in 1962 at another Lewis family tire store over on State St. and Laurel in 1962. That's the year he was built by the International Fiberglass company and sold to the Lewis family for about $1,300.00 as a brand new giant.

But wait, there's MORE!

This guy gets around! In between his stays at the tire stores he wandered down the road about 24 miles to the Round Up Cafe in Farmersville where he hung out until moving back to Springfield and his current home.

Photo(s): 2012