TheCarConnection feels remiss that we've never covered the one vehicle that is so instantly recognizable, it makes the public hungry for more. With a little side of mustard and onions.
The Wienermobile, you may know, was invented in 1936 by a man whose last name was indeed M-A-Y-E-R. Carl G. Mayer created the Wienermobile vehicle to cart his spokespeople from store to store. The brilliant PR move accomplished two goals: setting the Oscar Mayer brand apart from the competition, and giving the car insurance adjustors a headache as they tried to figure out the replacement cost of coachwork made from animal intestines instead of sheetmetal. (We keeeed!)
Back then the Wienermobile made do with a crowd-pleasing shape and the aroma of hot dogs. Today's road ruler boasts a navigation system, a sleek new interior, a wireless microphone to call out to latent wiener fans, and best of all, a powerful 6.0-liter GM Vortec V-8. Inside, there are six mustard-and-catsup (spelling theirs; it's ketchup, guys!) seats, a blue ceiling and mustard-splattered walkways, all meant to evoke a hot dog with everything on it.
In case you've never encountered this American interstate icon, the Wienermobile will be at the Auburn Cord Duesenberg Museum Saturday, December 16 from 9 a.m. until 5 p.m. But always and forever the Wienermobile will be in our hearts. And occasionally, in our belly.
;)
