Wheels Meet Wiener
Few marketing campaigns have achieved cult status like this hot-dog-shaped wonder on wheels. Across generations of models with interesting upgrades, this vehicle has morphed into America's most unforgettable road trip legend.
The Original Wienermobile
The first Oscar Mayer Wienermobile, made in 1936, was a marketing vehicle built to spread the word about Oscar Mayer hot dogs. The General Body Company in Chicago formally built it in the shape of a hot dog. The original model measured about 13 feet in length.
Chicago Market Launch
Basically, the documented primary purpose of this model was to promote the brand’s products throughout Chicago and later expand to other areas. During WWII, the original Wienermobile was scrapped for metal aid. This led to its retirement from active service.
Oscar Mayer, Wikimedia Commons
Glass Era Begins
Then came the 1940s Glass-Enclosed Model of the Oscar Mayer Wienermobile, which marked an evolution in the design and functionality of this iconic car. So, by the end of that year, the brand revamped the Wienermobile to include a glass enclosure.
Safety Enhancement Phase
Of course, the main reason for this was to provide protection for the driver and passengers. As an updated version, it definitely served better visibility and made the vehicle look more like a regular car than the original model with its open cockpit.
Valder137, CC BY 2.0, Wikimedia Commons
Travel Optimization
Apparently, the glass-enclosed model was slightly smaller than its predecessor, making it more practical for travel. The design went from a tank-like appearance to a more conventional vehicle shape, which helped it gain wider acceptance during promotional tours.
Regional Expansion
By extending the vehicle’s travel range with the new design, the Wienermobile was able to advertise the company’s goods across the East and Midwest of the United States. However, despite the improvements, this automobile faced challenges due to WWII.
Gerstenslager Grand Return
The Oscar Mayer Wienermobile made a grand comeback with its 1952 Gerstenslager Model after taking a break during the conflict. This automobile was designed by the Gerstenslager Company in Wooster, Ohio, originally established by William T. Wehe.
Eric Friedebach, CC BY 2.0, Wikimedia Commons
Dodge Framework Integration
This one was built on a Dodge truck chassis, which was a specific type of frame built and manufactured by Dodge, a well-known American automotive brand. The Gerstenslager model was notable for its fiberglass construction.
Gregory Varnum, CC BY-SA 3.0, Wikimedia Commons
22-Foot Design Revolution
The construction was such that it allowed for a more streamlined and visually appealing design. So, the 1952 Wienermobile was larger than earlier models, with a length of about 22 feet (266 inches) and a width of around 6 feet 3 inches (75 inches).
Front Cabin Layout
These dimensions brought a spacious interior. Also, in this model, the driver sat at the front of the hot dog, which was surrounded by a visor-like array of windows. The vehicle came equipped with a powerful Chevrolet 350 V8 engine.
Modern Characteristics
Did you know that this was one of the first Wienermobiles to include modern features? It literally had a sound system and a sunroof. Piloted by "Little Oscar” and portrayed by George Molchan, this model traveled to various schools, orphanages, parades, etc.
Amaury Laporte, CC BY 2.0, Wikimedia Commons
Museum Preservation
Interestingly, the automobile was painted in reddish-orange and yellow with "Oscar Mayer Yellow Band Wieners" inscriptions on its sides. One of the five cars from 1952 is indeed still intact and on display at the Henry Ford Museum in Dearborn, Michigan.
065. Oscar Mayer Wienermobile at the Henry Ford Museum by Steve Ridgeway / NRT GO
Stevens' Willys Wonder
Brooks Stevens, a well-known American designer, crafted the 1958 Wienermobile. It was developed on a Willys Jeep chassis. So, the Willys Jeep, originally named the Willys MB, was a lightweight army utility vehicle created during WWII. It had great off-road capabilities and was super versatile.
1969 In-House Revolution
At the company's Madison, Wisconsin, headquarters, the company’s own mechanics built the Wienermobile in 1969. The car was constructed on a Chevrolet motorhome chassis, which allowed for a more spacious interior while maintaining a compact overall size.
Final Pre-Retirement Model
So, the 1976 Final Pre-Retirement Model represents a critical period in the vehicle's evolution, and here’s why. This one was built by the company Plastic Products, Inc., which made use of a combination of fiberglass and styrofoam for its strong building.
1988 Oscar Mayer Wienermobile | Retro Review by MotorWeek
Stevens Automotive Corporation Fleet
The 1988 Wienermobile, designed by Stevens Automotive Corporation, kicked off a fresh chapter for this legendary promotional ride. Oscar Mayer launched a fleet of six Wienermobiles in 1988. A V6 engine with improved performance and fuel efficiency powered each one.
1988 Oscar Mayer Wienermobile | Retro Review by MotorWeek
Harry Bradley Concept
Back in 1995, the Oscar Mayer Wienermobile got a major makeover thanks to the famous car designer Harry Bradley. This remarkable model turned out to be 27 feet in length and 11 feet in height, making it one of the largest versions of the Wienermobile to date.
The Oscar Mayer Wienermobile: Who Drives It? | A GP Short by Gear Patrol
2000: Craftsmen Industries Model
Based on a framework from the GMC W-series, the automobile was driven by a GM 5700 Vortec V8 engine that delivered approximately 300 horsepower. The entire layout was slightly modified, as it was framed wider and taller while being shortened a bit.
Joshua Rainey Photography, Shutterstock
Prototype Source Revamp
As a 2004 Wienermobile, this piece was developed by Prototype Source in Santa Barbara, California. One of the standout characteristics, which was also visually appealing, was the inclusion of gull-wing doors accompanied by automatic retractable steps. Plus, it had modern elements such as Pontiac Firebirds.
Mini Cooper Wienermobile
Popularly referred to as Lil' Link, the 2008 Mini Cooper Wienermobile was crafted to honor the 125th anniversary of Oscar Mayer. This variant was 15 feet long and 8 feet high. It came with a 1.6L turbocharged I-4 engine and was manufactured to suit urban environments.
Food Truck Edition
In the year 2011, Oscar Mayer celebrated the 75th anniversary of the Wienermobile by releasing a special edition Wienermobile Food Truck. It was 30 feet long and is notable for being the first in the Wienermobile fleet to serve hot dogs directly to consumers.
Wiener Rover
Oscar Mayer debuted the Wiener Rover, a tiny, remote-controlled, all-terrain vehicle that looked like a hot dog on wheels, in 2015. It was about one-seventh the size of the original Wienermobile, measuring approximately 23 inches tall and 43 inches long.
Oscar Mayer's Amazing 'Wiener Rover' R/C Hot Dog Drone | BLIP! by Jalopnik
Custom RV Wienermobile From 2016
Combining functionality with the quirky branding associated with Oscar Mayer, the Wienie-Bago was a full-sized RV that was made with features evocative of the famous Wienermobile. It was useful for events that required larger setups or extended stays.
2023 Frank Experiment
The Wienermobile was renamed the Frankmobile for the first time since its inception in 1936, which was a huge shift in branding. The name change aimed to highlight Oscar Mayer's reformulated all-beef Frank, which had a new recipe with a more balanced flavor profile.
Aaron of L.A. Photography, Shutterstock
Return To Wienermobile Name
Despite the initial excitement, many fans preferred the traditional name, stating that "Frankmobile" did not resonate with them like "Wienermobile”. The name change was described humorously as not "cutting the mustard" and, therefore, went back to the original on September 20, 2023.
