Metal artwork roadside attractions can take on many shapes and sizes, be playful, clever and even practical. The most common metal artwork roadside attractions to be found in North Carolina come in some kind of animal form but there’s so much variety you’ll never feel like you’re looking at the same thing twice.
Grannies African Safari
Everything but Grannies Panties, 2926 Guess Rd, Durham, NC
Next to the eclectic thrift store, Everything but Grannies Panties, are some highly intricate, and imaginative, metal artwork roadside attractions. Located between the storefront and a BP gas station to the south is a collection of safari animals. Fittingly, each set of animals is comprised of various household ins-and-outs from rusted metal sheets and bike spokes to washing machine parts and chain links. Starting from the street you’ll find an elephant, a lioness (or cheetah?) and a family of giraffes. If you venture further into the store’s backyard you’re rewarded with a giant rooster created from chairs, fans, gas tanks (empty?) and endless other shop parts. As you examine each creation closely you can’t help but marvel at the creativity of each of these remarkable metal artwork roadside attractions.
Morehead Planetarium Sundial
Morehead Planetarium & Science Center, 250 E. Franklin St., Chapel Hill, NC
Located at the northwest section of UNC-Chapel Hill is a beautiful giant sundial. This metal artwork roadside attraction sits in front of the Morehead Planetarium and Science Center and still works perfectly as an over-sized time piece. The Morehead Planetarium Sundial sits in the center of a well manicured open space with, appropriately, four equally spaced brick walkways to the center. The base is beautifully adorned with sun themed art, inspirational text, some time-related fun facts and, of course, markings for the 12 hours for each the am and the pm. The center hosts numerous science related activities and events open to all. You’ll usually be able to find parking along East Franklin Street or, during off hours, in the center’s parking lot.
KIOTI Transformer Tractor
KIOTI Tractor Division, 6300 Kioti Rd, Wendell, NC
The giant Transformer Tractor, at the KIOTI Tractor Division in Wendell, is a sight to behold and one of largest metal artwork roadside attractions in North Carolina. You might catch a glimpse of the Tractor when driving along the US-264/US-64 during winter months when the leaves have abandoned the trees but otherwise you need to access Kioti’s office park down Kioti Road to see this metal artwork roadside attraction. This fantastic structure is only one of two ever made. The other is located at their parent company, Daedong Industrial, in South Korea. The Tractor is made up entirely of tractor parts from the factory and stands about 12’ (3.66 m) tall. Supposedly the eyes light up at night though no one’s gone on record to confirm a sighting. Closeup looks at this impressive metal artwork roadside attraction makes you really appreciate the level of detail put into the tractor. When at the site be sure to check out the metal rebar wolf that stands guard between the driveway and the freeway . . . very cool.
Barnes Car Crash
Barnes Collision Repair Center, 724 W Gannon Ave, Zebulon, NC 27597
Many metal artwork roadside attractions can be easily missed if you aren’t paying attention. Along the façade of the Barnes Collision Repair Center in Zebulon you’ll notice the front end of a gold ‘57 Chevy. The classic car “crashing” through the front of their building is the perfect metaphor for this highly-rated collision repair shop. A perfect combination of a metal artwork roadside attraction and clever marketing.
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