Carl Mayer, nephew of the company's namesake, created the first Oscar Mayer Wienermobile in 1936. In the years since, generations of new Wienermobiles have promoted the brand at stores, parades and festivals around the country.
This version, built in 1952 by Gerstenslager Company, Wooster Ohio, based on a Dodge truck chassis and powered by a 350-cubic-inch Chevrolet V-8 engine. The Wienermobile represents an innovative combination of transportation and product promotion that brings together two of America's greatest loves: cars and hot dogs.
At the Henry Ford Museum, Dearborn, MI
Evolution of the Wienermobile Models
- 1936 Original: Built by the General Body Company in Chicago on a purpose-built chassis, updated in 1940
- 1952 Model: Built by Gerstenslager on a Dodge chassis with a glass cockpit enclosure
- 1958 Model: Designed by Brooks Stevens using a Willys Jeep chassis, and molded fiberglass.
- 1969 Model: Built in-house by Oscar Mayer in Madison, Wisconsin, using a Chevrolet chassis and Ford Thunderbird taillights.
- 1975 Model: Created by Plastics Products in Milwaukee as a fiberglass/styrofoam replica of the 1969 model on a motorhome chassis.
- 1988 Fleet: A fleet of six vehicles built by Stevens Automotive Corporation on Chevrolet van chassis, featuring modern amenities like microwaves and cell phones.
- 1995 Redesign: Designed by Harry Bentley Bradley, expanding the size to 27 feet long and 11 feet high with an aerodynamic, futuristic look.
- 2000 Update: Built by Craftsmen Industries on a GMC W-series chassis, adding GPS and upgraded audio systems.
- 2001 Version: Built on a RAM 1500-series chassis with a flipped axle.
- 2004 Redesign: Built by Prototype Source on a GMC W-series chassis featuring Pontiac Firebird taillights and an upgraded V8 engine.
- 2008 Mini Version: A compact promotional version built on a Mini Cooper S Hardtop chassis
by AccordionWhisperer