Not long ago, I was driving down the highway with my kids when one told me that he just saw a really big hot dog on wheels. By the time I looked, it was gone. The claim was naturally questioned by the middle schooler in the back seat! I interrupted the amusing exchange to tell them that he may actually have seen the Wienermobile.
The Wienermobile, I explained, was actually a large hot dog on wheels that traveled around north America, and beyond, essentially advertising Oscar Mayer while also performing charitable work. The last time I had seen it was more than 3,000 miles away and over 3 decades earlier. As I recall, it had come to my hometown in southern California and was passing out colorful whistles shaped like wieners, which I happily waited in line to receive.
We continued on our way and I forgot about it until that evening when I looked it up on the Oscar Mayer website. It turned out, that he had indeed seen the Wienermobile and it was going to be in our area through the next day raising money for sick children. My kids had to see this for themselves, so the next day we were off to take a look…
It was in a supermarket parking lot, not unlike the one it was in when I had seen it last.
The Wienermobile looked pretty much the same too.
Everyone was busy inspecting it and the gullwing door was particularly fascinating to all present.
As you can see, parallel parking and backing-up should probably be avoided when driving it as the result could easily be a damaged dog.
This particular Wienermobile was not as big as you would think up close, but was every bit as cool as you would expect in person!
The inside was bright with large comfortable looking seats.
Surprisingly, it also sported a state-of-the-art sound system and flat screen monitors as well.
The license plate was of course personalized and fully appropriate.
There have been many models of Wienermobile since its inception in 1936, though the overall look has remained surprisingly consistent.
The Wienermobile staff also still hand out small whistles, though these were not brightly colored, though they instead glow in the dark.
As we were walking away my youngest thanked me and said that we always went on the coolest adventures, to which I had to agree. If you ever see a large wiener on wheels, do yourself a favor and check it out!
Nice! I always love to see the Weinermobile on LA freeways. It’s always up to doing good in our community which s wonderful. Happy New Year! Keep up the inspirational posts and great stories.
Comment by Nancy Arter — December 26, 2012 @ 10:31 pm |
The Weinermobile used to tool around Houston frequently, but now that I think about it, I haven’t seen it in some time. Kids used to shriek with delight when we saw it.
Comment by Lulu — December 26, 2012 @ 11:28 pm |
I hadn’t realized the Weinermobile had been around that long. Thank you for sharing this!
Comment by tommiaw — December 27, 2012 @ 8:48 am |
What great memories. I grew up in the San Fernando Valley, then moved into North Hollywood when I was about 12 through 18. I’m sure the Weinermobile we knew was a bit less aerodynamic. And maybe not as brightly painted?
Comment by Paul — December 27, 2012 @ 11:13 pm |
Namaste…thank you for visiting and following my blog. I look forward to following yours
Comment by Lakshmi Loves To Shop — December 28, 2012 @ 5:51 pm |
Thanks for the inside tour! It came to my area several years ago. I did not realize either that it had been around so long.
Comment by coastalcrone — December 28, 2012 @ 6:05 pm |
Dear Dr. Anthony,
How cool to see the Wienermobile in person! What a lucky son you have!
Thanks for sharing the adventure and the pictures from the Oscar Mayer website. Celebrate you and your family!
Never Give Up
Joan Y. Edwards
Comment by Joan Y. Edwards — January 1, 2013 @ 10:12 am |
Hi Dr Anthony, I know it’s late but I nominated you for the “Blog Of The Year” award. Check it out:
http://writersfield.wordpress.com/2013/01/04/blog-of-the-year-2012-award/
Comment by tsizzles — January 4, 2013 @ 12:48 pm |
Hi, Glad you liked our post. If you love reading then visit our Reading page:
http://cabraseniorlibrary.wordpress.com/reading-writing/
Cheers
STB
Comment by cabraseniorlibrary — January 4, 2013 @ 6:57 pm |
Will have to check that out!
Comment by Mia — January 6, 2013 @ 6:49 pm |
Thanks for sharing your visit with the Wienermobile. If I ever see it I’m gonna hop aboard myself.
Blessings ~ Maxi
Comment by Maxi — January 7, 2013 @ 2:11 pm |
I vaguely recall the movie ‘Dumb and Dumber’ referencing this with their dog-shaped van having formerly been a wienermobile?
Comment by Terry Williams - The Brain-Based Boss — January 7, 2013 @ 8:59 pm |
Greetings from Ohio! I’m bored to death at work so I decided to check out your blog on my iphone during lunch break. I enjoy the information you provide here and can’t wait to
take a look when I get home. I’m amazed at how quick your blog loaded on my mobile .. I’m not even using WIFI, just 3G .
. Anyhow, good site!
Comment by bancuri cu bula — January 28, 2013 @ 8:20 pm |
Hi Dr Anthony, great to read about this, what a hilarious, yet also fascinating, vehicle!. Thanks so much for the follow on find the details – hope to have some more interiors news / quirky images for you soon!
Comment by findthedetails — February 17, 2013 @ 2:44 pm |
I do not know if you want to tell your kids – but there is more than one weinermobile! I was able to see one in San Francisco at the Kraft Hunger Bowl football game in December. (Kraft owns Oscar Mayer.) The one we saw did not have all the lettering on the outside and its license plate read “O I WISH”. Unfortunately, they were not letting anyone see the inside – too big a crowd I suppose. I am sorry i cannot show you a photo in the comments section.
Comment by SWL — February 18, 2013 @ 5:09 am |