Route 66 never sits still for long—and since my last blog update in July 2025, a whole new cast of larger-than-life characters has popped up along the Mother Road. From iconic Uniroyal Girls to fresh Muffler Men creations, these roadside giants are keeping Route 66 gloriously weird, nostalgic, and worth pulling over for.

If you love roadside Americana (and I know you do if you’re here), these new faces are already becoming must-see stops—and even more are coming as we head straight into the Route 66 Centennial years.

Although it took nearly ten years, Carl—the beloved Muffler Man who has long stood watch in front of Carl’s Ice Cream Shop—finally has a companion. Her name is Marge, and she officially arrived in November 2025, completing a reunion that feels both overdue and perfectly timed for Route 66’s renewed spotlight.

Marge is a former Uniroyal Gal, but she’s far more than just a repurposed roadside figure. She’s named after **real people—Carl Garbe and Marge Irwin—**who once worked at Carl’s Ice Cream decades ago and likely never imagined they’d one day be immortalized in giant-sized fiberglass. It’s one of those small-town stories that Route 66 does best: personal, unexpected, and deeply charming.

Originally a 1960s statue modeled after Jacqueline Kennedy, Marge was thoughtfully customized by legendary fiberglass artist Mark Cline, who had earlier created Carl himself. Under Cline’s hands, Marge was transformed into a classic Route 66 waitress—friendly, iconic, and perfectly matched to her counterpart.

She now wears a red-and-white uniform color-coordinated with Carl the Chef, complete with a bouffant hairstyle topped by a sparkling “Carl’s” tiara. In her right hand, she clutches an order book, ready to take requests. And in her raised left hand—once designed to hold a Uniroyal tire—she now lifts a milkshake skyward, like the torch of the Statue of Liberty, welcoming travelers to stop, smile, and stay awhile.

At 19 feet tall, Marge doesn’t just stand beside Carl—she completes the story. Together, Carl and Marge feel less like statues and more like longtime hosts, greeting generations of Route 66 travelers with ice cream, nostalgia, and a reminder that the Mother Road is still very much alive.

For anyone traveling Route 66 through Illinois, this isn’t just a photo stop—it’s a reunion decades in the making, and one of the sweetest roadside love stories on the route.

Tulsa continues to lean into its Route 66 identity, and one of the most exciting additions is Rosie the Riveter, a bold new Uniroyal Girl who proudly honors working women of the past. Standing tall and confident, Rosie fits right into Tulsa’s growing collection of Route 66 icons.

Rosie the Riveter stands along historic Route 66 at 11th Street between Utica and Peoria, right in front of The Pearl Shops in Tulsa.

Rosie’s presence here is deeply personal. Aaron Meek, owner of The Pearl Shops, wanted this Uniroyal Girl to become Rosie the Riveter as a tribute to his mother, who worked at McDonnell Douglas during World War II. Like so many women of that era, she stepped into industrial work to support the war effort—helping shape history in ways that often went uncelebrated.

By choosing Rosie, Meek transformed this roadside figure into more than a photo stop. She now represents the real women who answered the call during wartime and quietly changed the course of American labor history.

Today, Rosie doesn’t just watch over Route 66—she tells a story. One of family, sacrifice, and the kind of personal connection that makes roadside Americana feel alive again.

📍 Exact Location:
11th Street between Utica Avenue and Peoria Avenue
Outside The Pearl Shops, Tulsa, Oklahoma

Tulsa didn’t stop with Rosie. Enter Bob the Cowboy, a towering western-themed giant who feels right at home along Route 66. With cowboy flair and classic roadside charm, Bob adds a little Wild West personality to the city’s growing roadside lineup.

Cowboy Bob isn’t just another roadside giant—he’s a character with a backstory, a past, and deep roots in Tulsa’s Route 66 scene.

Bob is the brainchild of Mary Beth Babcock, who also created the imaginative backstory for Buck Atom, located just two blocks away. Together, these figures turn this stretch of Route 66 into something closer to a living storybook than a simple roadside stop.

According to Mary Beth, Bob is a honky-tonk musician and “one of the classiest cowboys” to ever play Cain’s Ballroom back in its more countrified heyday. He fell in love with Tulsa, the music, and the people—and decided to stick around. Now, he’s officially put down roots along Tulsa’s Route 66, guitar in hand, welcoming travelers like an old friend who never left town.

But Bob doesn’t just tell a story—he supports the community in a very tangible way. He’s also a walking advertisement for Tulsa’s local businesses and craftspeople. His western shirt, bolo tie, guitar, and even his “Happy Trails” boots all connect back to small Tulsa-based makers, turning Bob into a towering tribute to local creativity and craftsmanship.

Physically, Bob is impossible to miss. Standing an impressive 21 feet tall, he was built by legendary fiberglass artist Mark Cline and officially arrived in August 2025. His size, personality, and placement make him a natural anchor point for this part of Route 66—especially when paired with nearby giants like Rosie the Riveter and Buck Atom.

Cowboy Bob represents everything that’s fueling the modern Muffler Man revival: creativity, storytelling, community pride, and a deep respect for Route 66’s past—while still keeping one boot firmly planted in the present.

For travelers, Bob isn’t just a photo op. He’s a reminder that Route 66 isn’t just about the road—it’s about the characters who choose to stay.

One familiar face has found a brand-new home. The beloved Chef statue has officially been relocated and now stands proudly at a Route 66 Truck Stop, where he feels more at home than ever—welcoming hungry travelers just like he was meant to do.

This move proves that Route 66 icons don’t disappear—they just find new places to serve the road.

February 2026 – Tulsa

A Fisherman Muffler Man for Billy Sims Restaurant

Kicking off the year in a big way, Tulsa will welcome a 20-foot Mark Cline Muffler Man reimagined as a fisherman holding a massive fish.

• Commissioned for: Billy Sims Restaurant

• Setting: On a lake (final placement details TBD)

• Why it’s special: The fisherman theme fits perfectly with a waterside location, and this one is expected to be a real photo magnet for diners and road-trippers alike.

This is classic Mark Cline storytelling—taking a familiar form and giving it a sense of place and personality.

March 2026 – Chandler, AZ

Route 66 Man Goes Superhero

Chandler is getting one of the most imaginative designs announced so far:

• Height: 20 feet

• Style: Route 66 Man

• Design details:

  • Indian-style torso

  • Route 66 shield for a head

  • Custom superhero-style legs

This statue is being designed to feel bold, powerful, and celebratory—perfectly timed for the Route 66 Centennial. Expect this one to become an instant icon along the Mother Road.

May 2026 – Granite City, IL 

Three Muffler Men, One Town

Granite City is going all-in with three separate 14-foot Mark Cline–style Muffler Men, each honoring a different theme:

🚂 Railroad Engineer

A nod to Granite City’s industrial and rail history, this figure celebrates the workers who helped build the region.

🚒 Fireman

Strong, heroic, and community-focused, the fireman design adds a civic pride element to the lineup.

🎩 Abraham Lincoln

Perhaps the most iconic of the trio, the Abe Lincoln Muffler Man ties Illinois history directly into roadside Americana in a way that feels both playful and meaningful.

Having three themed giants in one location is a big deal—and Granite City may quietly become a new hotspot for Muffler Man fans.

Now that 2026 is officially here, the excitement along Route 66 feels bigger than ever. With the United States celebrating its 250th anniversary and the Route 66 Centennial happening at the same time, this year has become a powerful moment of reflection, pride, and renewed interest in America’s most iconic highway. Communities along the Mother Road are leaning into the moment—adding new giants, restoring classics, and embracing bold roadside art that honors both national history and local stories. If the recent wave of Muffler Men and Uniroyal Girls is any indication, 2026 is already proving to be one of the most exciting chapters Route 66 has seen in decades.

Muffler Men aren’t just statues—they’re stories, landmarks, and living pieces of Americana. Every new figure adds another chapter to a tradition that refuses to fade. As more details get finalized, I’ll keep updating the list—because in the world of Muffler Men, there’s always another giant just around the bend. 🚗🗺️