23. The Last Giants of America's Roadsides - The Story Behind the Muffler Men with Steve Dashew

The Story Behind America's Muffler Men with Steve Dashew Long before Steve Dashew became known for designing some of the world's most capable offshore cruising yachts, he accidentally helped create one of America's most recognisable pieces of roadside culture. In this chapter of the Dashew Talking Books, host Sue Grant steps away from boats to uncover the remarkable story behind the towering fiberglass figures that became known as the Muffler Men, along with the famous Uniroyal Gals, giant dinosaurs, cowboys and Paul Bunyan statues that once stood outside service stations, restaurants and businesses across North America.  Steve explains how what began as a struggling winter sideline for a small boatbuilding business quickly became something far bigger. As he says, "this started like most things we've been involved with... we never intended it to be in the display business." The story begins with a tiny classified advert in the Los Angeles Times, a handful of fiberglass moulds, and an opportunity that few people would have recognised. Within a few years, Steve found himself pitching directly to the senior marketing executives of some of America's largest corporations, despite being just twenty-one years old. Looking back, he admits, "I had no fear. I didn't know what you couldn't do." The episode explores how one Paul Bunyan statue installed outside a Las Vegas service station reportedly doubled fuel sales almost overnight, leading to national publicity and eventually orders from major brands including Texaco, Phillips 66, Sinclair and Uniroyal. Steve recalls the moment Texaco placed an order for hundreds of figures, transforming what had started as a small seasonal business into a nationwide manufacturing operation.  Along the way, Steve recalls designing giant cowboys, dinosaurs, pirates, restaurant mascots and the famous Uniroyal Gal, while solving the surprisingly complex challenges of transporting, erecting and marketing these enormous fibreglass figures across the United States. Looking back, he describes the business simply as "great fun" before reflecting, "I had no idea what a wonderful business we had." The conversation also follows the rise and eventual decline of the fiberglass giant industry, explaining why the business changed direction and how Steve ultimately left it behind before embarking on the next chapter of his career. Ironically, decades later, the very figures once dismissed as roadside advertising have become sought-after pieces of Americana, celebrated in museums, books and newspaper features across the United States.  Whether you've spotted one standing proudly beside an old highway, photographed one on Route 66, or have never heard of a Muffler Man before, this episode reveals one of the most surprising chapters in Steve Dashew's extraordinary career. It's a story of entrepreneurship, ingenuity and accidental success that began with a small boatyard, detoured through giant fibreglass roadside icons, and became an unlikely part of American cultural history. Host: Sue Grant Guest: Steve Dashew About This Series The Dashew Talking Books is a special podcast series exploring the life, experiences and ideas of Steve Dashew. Across these conversations, Steve reflects on decades of innovation, offshore cruising, yacht design, business, adventure and the many unexpected stories that shaped his remarkable career. To explore more of Steve and Linda Dashew's work, visit SetSail for articles, owner stories and technical resources. You can also watch more conversations and videos on the Dashew Offshore YouTube channel, and explore FPB Motor Yachts at Berthon International to learn more about the cruising yachts that grew from Steve's pioneering design philosophy. To explore more of Steve's writing, technical articles and cruising knowledge, visit: SetSail: SetSail.com (https://setsail.com.com) Dashew Offshore YouTube Channel: YouTube (https://www.youtube.com/@DashewOffshore.com) To learn more about FPB Motor Yachts: Berthon FPB Motor Yachts: FPB Motor Yachts (https://www.berthoninternational.com/yacht-sales-brokerage/fpb-motor-yachts/.com) Steve Dashew - Dashew Offshore (https://www.berthoninternational.com/yacht-sales-brokerage/fpb-motor-yachts/) Iconic yacht designer and one of the true legends of modern ocean cruising. Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you make a purchase, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you.