Meet Earl

Meet Earl. Granite City's Giant Greeter. , Standing Tall along Route 66 , Earl is a 14-foot muffler man, a larger than life figure watching over travelers on Historic Route 66. With his firm grip and steady stance, Earl isn't just a roadside novelty - he's a proud symbol of America's car culture and Granite City's working-class., Muffler Men , Born in the 1960's, muffler men were fiberglass giants built to catch your eye from the road - advertising everything from tires to burgers. These giants popped up across the country, each with its own name, story and purpose. They've become beloved icons of Americana, cherished by road trippers and nostalgia lovers alike., O'Brien Tire and Auto Care , Established in 1906, O'Brien Tire and Auto Care is the oldest and longest running tire and auto repair center along the entire Route 66. , This Muffler Man, Earl, is named for the patriarch of the Buenger family, the fourth Granite City family to own the station. O'Brien has been in the Buenger family for 55 years (as of 2025) and is currently being operated by the third generation of the Buenger family., O'Brien Tire and Auto Care has kept generations of families rolling safely down the road with trusted, honest auto care. Over a century of service, and still going strong - that's the O'Brien way.