First created in 1936 by Carl G. Mayer (Oscar Mayer’s nephew), the Oscar Mayer Wienermobile has been an American icon for well over 80-years. Drivers of the Oscar Mayer Wienermobile are known as “Hotdoggers” and the Oscar Mayer Wienermobile shows up at several special events with Hotdoggers handing out popular swag like hot dog whistles, toys and more.
The Wienermobile itself progressed from a simple car-based rolling wiener advert to a fully functional truck-based monster-dog. Along the way, the success of the Oscar Mayer Wienermobile could be measured by how many were on the road at any given time. Starting from one in 1936 to a half dozen full size Wienermobiles, the WienerMini (MINI + Wiener), WienerRover (4×4 R/C + Wiener), WienerCycle (Scooter & sidecar + Wiener), and the WienerDrone (flying drone + Wiener) prowling the nation today.
I honestly love the promo for the WienerRover…
The Oscar Mayer Wienermobile has made the trek overseas as well. As for selling items (such as hot dogs) from the Wienermobile, it doesn’t happen. Kraft Foods, who now owns Oscar Mayer, is keeping the same PR campaign going – which has been wildly successful: use the Wienermobiles and all of the spinoffs as free proveidors of swag and hot dogs. Also, just an FYI: the hot dogs are not prepared in any of the Oscar Mayer vehicles, they are prepared in secret locations and the Wienermobiles keep them warm.
The Wienermobile through time:
- 1936 General Body Company – Chicago, Illinois Car-based chassis (parade vehicle) with small single seat cockpit
- 1952 Gerstenslager – Wooster, Ohio – Dodge chassis Inline-6
- 1958 Brooks Stevens – Willys Jeep chassis – Jeep Inline-4
- 1969 Oscar Mayer – Madison, Wisconsin – Chevrolet chassis V6 engine
- 1975 Plastics Products – Milwaukee, Wisconsin – fibreglass/styrofoam replica of 1969 V6 engine
- 1988 Stevens Automotive Corporation – Milwaukee, WI – Chevrolet van chassis V6 engine
- 1995 Harry Bentley Bradley/Carlin Manufacturing – Fresno, California
- 2000 Craftsmen Industries – St. Charles, Missouri – GMC W-series chassis 5700 Vortec V8
- 2001 Craftsmen Industries – San Antonio, Texas – RAM 1500-series chassis, flipped axle 5.2L Magnum V8
- 2004 Prototype Source – Santa Barbara, California – GMC W-series chassis 6.0L 300–5700 Vortec V8
- 2008 Prototype Source – Santa Barbara, California – MINI Cooper S Hardtop 1.6L Turbocharged I-4
List source: Oscar Mayer/ Wikipedia
Several Oscar Mayer Wienermobiles contain parts, such as headlights and taillights, from vehicles like Pontiac Firebirds and Ford Thunderbirds – among others.
Here’s a fascinating point about the “Hotdoggers” (Wienermobile drivers) “The “hotdogger” position of driving the Wienermobile is open to US citizens, and the job lasts from the first of June until the following first of June. Only college seniors who are about to graduate are eligible. 
Both current hotdoggers and Oscar Mayer recruiters visit college campuses across the country in search of the next round of hotdoggers. Candidates are screened from an average of 2,000 applicants. Every March, a pool of thirty final-round candidates are brought to Kraft Foods and Oscar Mayer headquarters in Madison, Wisconsin, for interviews. Each vehicle can hold two hotdoggers, and twelve people in total are chosen. Currently[timeframe?] there are about 300 hotdogger alumni.” – – Kraft Foods
That’s kind of cool – right?
This 4th of July, why not see if the Oscar Mayer Wienermobile is in your neighborhood? Go to: oscarmayer.com/wienemobile.com or look for them on Twitter #fortheloveofhotdogs
Now, if you’ll excuse me, I need to grab a hotdog.
One final thought: if Oscar Mayer ever sells a veggie-dog; they should use an electric Wienermobile to promote it!
