New Jersey Giants

Standing quietly by different roadsides throughout South Jersey are 25-ft. giants who are commonly called either “Muffler Men” or “Tire Ladies. What is the meaning of these oversized statues that greet passing motorists day after day? Without the help of neon lights or any modern day electrical gimmick, these statues have added to the quirkiness of South Jersey culture for decades now. From Seaside Heights to Clementon NJ, these landmarks have imbedded themselves into the landscape of the Garden State.

These icons were created in the 1960`s by a California based company called International Fiberglass. These fiberglass giants were created with the intention of being displayed in front of automobile service stations throughout the United States. However, over the years these statues have spread to other places of business like miniature golf courses, restaurants, and flea markets such as the cowboy who stands in front of the Cowtown Rodeo on Route 40. These 25-ft. fiberglass men and women are not only used for advertising businesses, but they are also great landmarks when giving out directions.

“I recently moved from Audubon Park to the Hilltop area. When giving out directions to my friends, I tell them to turn right at the first street after the giant tire lady,” says Brian Gaffney a Hilltop resident. “It`s hard to miss a 25-ft. lady standing by the side of the road.” The `25-ft lady` that Mr. Gaffney speaks of stands in front of the Werbany Tire Center on the Black Horse Pike in the Hilltop-Blackwood area of South Jersey. The leggy Tire Lady has been standing by the side of the Black Horse Pike for over fifteen years now and has never once lost her smile.

Other giants located in South Jersey is the Tire Guy located on the White Horse Pike in Clementon, the Alfred E. Newman looking guy on Rt. 561 in Winslow Township, and the enormous Pirate on the boardwalk of Ocean City. Seaside Heights has quite a few of these statues also. These NJ giants carry on through the sun, sleet, wind, and snow with an unbending grace. Unlike the cherubic Bob`s Big Boy who was made to hawk burgers and fries for the restaurant chain of the same name, these stoic New Jersey giants seem to have a higher calling. These aging statues, three times the size of former basketball legend Manute Bol, seem to possess an overwhelming sense of humility and an admirable inner-tranquility. These 25-ft. Muffler Men and Tire Ladies are quiet reminders to passing motorists that even though the daily grind is sometimes a burden, one should always stand tall and proud.

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Author: Jason A. Love