23. The Last Giants of America's Roadsides - The Story Behind the Muffler Men with Steve Dashew
5 August 2026 · 34 min · 199 views
What this video covers
Steve Dashew recounts the origins and business operations of the fiberglass display company he founded in the 1960s, which produced iconic roadside figures known as Muffler Men. The business began in San Pedro, California, after Dashew acquired a small display firm that held molds for a Paul Bunyan figure, a horse, a cow, and a giant chicken.3:12 By adapting these molds—such as removing a beard or changing hand-held tools—the company created custom figures for major oil companies and retail businesses, including Texaco and Phillips Petroleum.13:30 These figures served as effective marketing tools, often doubling fuel sales at gas stations where they were installed.6:57 Dashew managed the business by securing large deposits to cover working capital, avoiding bank loans, and utilizing a network of independent sculptors paid on a percentage-of-completion basis.24:06 The enterprise eventually transitioned into construction work when Dashew could no longer find personnel capable of selling large-scale display programs.22:19
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