OSCAR MAYER WIENERMOBILE HISTORY

I found the Wienermobile website while trying to get information about having the Wienermobile at our Car Show but found that there is a 3 month waiting list for invites and I understand that its hard to get to every one of these events. Anyway, I found this interesting piece of history and I thought I’d share it with you. Enjoy! I think I’ll go enjoy an Oscar Mayer Hot Dog! After all, It’s the AMERICAN thing to do!

OSCAR MAYER WIENERMOBILE HISTORY

The Oscar Mayer Wienermobile has evolved from Carl Mayer’s original 1936 vehicle to the current vehicles seen on the road today. Although gas rationing kept the Wienermobile off the road during World War II, in the 1950s Oscar Mayer and the Gerstenslager Company created several new vehicles using a Dodge chassis or a Willys Jeep chassis. One of these models is on display at the Henry Ford Museum in Dearborn, MI. These Wienermobiles were piloted by "Little Oscar" who would visit stores, schools, orphanages, children's hospitals, and participate in parades and festivals. In 1969, new Wienermobiles were built upon a Chevy motor home chassis and featured Ford Thunderbird taillights. The 1969 vehicle was the first Wienermobile to travel to foreign countries. In 1976 Plastic Products, inc., built a fiberglass and styrofoam model, again on a Chevy motor home chassis. In 1988, Oscar Mayer launched its Hotdogger program, where recent college graduates were hired to drive the Wienermobile through various parts of the nation and abroad. Using a converted Chevy van chassis, Stevens Automotive Corporation and noted industrial designer Brooks Stevens built a fleet of six Wienermobiles for the new team of Hotdoggers. In 1995, the Wienermobile grew in size to 27-feet long and 11-feet high. In 2000, the big dog was given the power of a 5700 GM VORTEC engine. The most recent version of the Wienermobile, built in 2004, has been updated to include a voice activated GPS navigation device, an audio center with a wireless microphone, and a horn that plays the Wiener Jingle in 21 different genres from Cajun to Rap to Bossa Nova, according to American Eats. There are seven Wienermobiles in existence. The current Wienermobile sports fourth generation Pontiac Firebird taillights.

There are seven wienermobiles in existence currently, with each assigned a part of the country. The hotdogger position of driving the wienermobile is an open position to U.S. citzens and the duration of the job lasts for one full year: from the first of June until the following first of June. Every March at Kraft and Oscar Mayer headquarters in Madison, Wisconsin there are final round interviews held for the hotdogger position. Each vehicle holds two hotdoggers, and twelve people are chosen from a final pool of 30 candidates brought to Oscar Mayer headquarters. The 30 candidates are screened across the country from over an average of 2000 applicants. Both current hotdoggers and Oscar Mayer recruiters visit college campuses across the country in search of the next round of hotdoggers. Only college seniors who are about to graduate are eligible for applying to this hotdogger position. Currently there are about 500 hotdogger alumni who have served as hotdoggers and driven the wienermobile.

TIMELINE:

1936

In 1936, Karl G. Mayer, nephew of Oscar Mayer, had a new idea to promote the company's products. A 13 foot long hot dog on wheels! Soon, the Oscar Mayer Wienermobile was seen driving through the streets of Chicago, promoting Oscar Mayer's "German Style Wieners." The cost was $5,000

1950’s

Five new Wienermobile vehicles were designed by Gerstenslager of Wooster, Ohio. America was rockin' and rollin', so the new models not only looked cool, they featured a high-fidelity sound system.

Today, one of the five original 1950's Wienermobile vehicles is currently on display in Dearborn, Michigan, at the Henry Ford Museum and Greenfield Village's popular Wienermobile Café.

1958

In 1958, a new design took shape. Created by Brooks Stevens, who designed the classic 1950s automobile, the Excalibur, it would become the trademark look for three generations of Wienermobile vehicles.

1969

In 1969, two Wienermobile vehicles were designed and built by our very own Oscar Mayer mechanics at the company headquarters in Madison, Wisconsin. One was the first Wienermobile vehicle to tour a foreign country. This design was replicated in 1975 by Plastic Products of Milwaukee, and was fabricated with fiberglass and Styrofoam.

1988

In 1988, the Stevens Automotive Corporation of Milwaukee, Wisconsin created the world's first ten-frank fleet. The company founder, Brooks Stevens, also happened to be the designer behind the popular 1958 Wienermobile vehicle and the classic 1950s automobile, the Excalibur.

1995

World-renowned automobile designer Harry Bradley updated the Wienermobile vehicle to become a shining example of 21st century style and technology. The 1995 model was the first Wienermobile constructed using CAD (computer aided design) imaging tools. It measured 27 ft. long, 11 ft. high, and weighed 10,500 pounds!

2000

The 2000 Wienermobile was loaded with all the trimmings. Its GMC W-series chassis and 5700 Vortec engine made it the most powerful Wienermobile vehicle in the fleet. It measured 55 hot dogs long, 18 hot dogs wide and 25 hot dogs high (that's 27-ft. x 8-ft. x 11-ft.).

2004

The 2004 Wienermobile vehicle is one sizzling hot dog with all the right fixings! This converted Chevrolet boasts a 4 speed / W4 series chassis and has a 6.0 liter 300 Vortec 5700 V8 engine that goes from zero to smile in seconds!

Gull-wing door with automatic retractable step, voice-activated GPS Navigational System, mustard-splattered walkway, audio center complete with wireless microphone, blue sky ceiling art, mustard and ketchup colored seats, official "Oscar Mayer Wiener Jingle©" horn

2008

 Just over 15 feet long, this new Oscar Mayer “Mini” Wienermobile Vehicle is the cutest pick of the litter. Built on a Mini Cooper “S” chassis, this puppy really likes to run with the big dogs!

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