Muffler Man Cowboy: Big Bob
Norwich, Connecticut
Type: Cowboy (22 feet tall)
Arm position: Standard
Accessories:Cowboy Hat, American Flag
Nickname: Big Bob
Big Bob, a wayward Connecticut cowboy, has been in Norwich since the mid-1960s. For his first 20 years he was on the other side of town. Back then he belonged to Alex Cohen, who used the Muffler Man to draw visitors to his amusement park. That business eventually closed, and when the owners of Surplus Unlimited -- who were friends with Al -- opened their store in 1982, they bought Big Bob. They had admired him ever since they were kids.
Patriotic Big Bob has held an American flag since his move, and is anchored with cables to the front of the store to prevent people from climbing onto the roof and kicking him over (It's been attempted). At night he is illuminated by a spotlight. Surplus Unlimited keeps Big Bob in good repair, featuring him in its advertising and as artwork on the side of its delivery truck in the parking lot.