Bill Thomas, Atlanta Betterment Fund organization, and Michael Younkin, [Re}Giant, LLC, haul a pair of Texaco Big Friends into Michael’s shop in Southern Illinois where they will be used to restore the Texaco Big Friend giant coming to the American Giants Museum this Spring.

In the early 1960s, International Fiberglass Company built three hundred 25’ tall statues for the Texaco Oil Company’s new “Big Friend” national advertising campaign. Before a year had passed, Texaco ordered all 300 destroyed.

Uncover why this happened and how six Texaco Big Friends giants managed to survive until today.

During the Mid-20th Century, drivers were bombarded with signs, billboards, and anything else businesses could employ to attract motorists’ attention and get them to stop.

Find out how International Fiberglass Company introduced America to an amazing array of fiberglass animals, giants, and other kitschy objects – all part of one of the most successful marketing schemes ever devised.

Joel Baker’s passion for Muffler Man and International Fiberglass figures was born in 2011. Visiting these giants turned into a passion for Joel to track down, rescue, and restore them.

Since 2015, he and his team have been on a mission to save and restore these quirky pieces of American roadside advertising history. Joel’s personal collection has grown to the point where he wants to make them available for the public to enjoy as well.

Uncover Joel’s story at the American Giants Museum.

International Fiberglass Company’s Service Station Product Line featured a set of core items, including: A&W Burger Families, Esso Tigers, Uniroyal Tire Gals, and Texaco Big Friend Station Attendants.

Pull up and relive the circa 1960s service station vibe, via this display of best sellers from one of International Fiberglass Company’s most important product lines.

The American Giants Museum will feature rotating exhibits in addition to its permanent exhibits. The current American Giants Rotating Exhibits feature a high-heeled foot and leg replica from a Uniroyal Tire Gal in addition to a 5’ tall giraffe head. (Original vintage giraffe head in 1968 photo.)

Check-in periodically to see new items in this changing exhibit space.

Check out our noggin collection.

Muffler Men invaded America in the 1960s. Over the next several years they morphed into multiple characters: Cowboys, Chefs, Vikings, Native Americans, and more.

Most were based on the original Paul Bunyan figure made by Bob Prewitt and sculpted by Bill Swan around 1963.

Now, you can enter the American Giants Museum and meet several of these head variations.

Replica Texaco gas pumps have arrived and now stand on the pump island in front of the American Giants Museum.

Each Texaco pump includes a QR code visitors can use to access the American Giants Museum website.

The American Giants Museum logo is featured on the globes that top the new Texaco pumps.