1952 Wienermobile
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Carl Mayer, nephew of the company's namesake, created the first Oscar Mayer Wienermobile in 1936. In the years since, more than a dozen Wienermobiles have promoted the brand at stores, parades and festivals. Spokesman George Molchan, portraying the character "Little Oscar," traveled with the Wienermobile from 1951 to 1987. Today the vehicles are accompanied by college interns known as "Hotdoggers."
Carl Mayer, nephew of the company's namesake, created the first Oscar Mayer Wienermobile in 1936. In the years since, more than a dozen Wienermobiles have promoted the brand at stores, parades and festivals. Spokesman George Molchan, portraying the character "Little Oscar," traveled with the Wienermobile from 1951 to 1987. Today the vehicles are accompanied by college interns known as "Hotdoggers."
Artifact
Automobile
Date Made
1952
Creators
Chrysler Corporation. Dodge Division
General Motors Corporation. Chevrolet Motor Division
Place of Creation
Creator Notes
Body made by Gerstenslager Company in Wooster, Ohio, on an early 1950s Dodge chassis with a Chevrolet 350 V-8 engine.
Keywords
On Exhibit
at Henry Ford Museum in Wienermobile
Object ID
91.143.1
Credit
From the Collections of The Henry Ford. Gift of Oscar Mayer Foods Corporation.
Material
Fiberglass
Steel (Alloy)
Metal
Rubber (Material)
Glass (Material)
Plastic
Color
Reddish orange
Yellow (Color)
Black (Color)
Dimensions
Height: 122 in
Width: 75 in
Length: 266 in
Wheelbase: 126 in
Inscriptions
Sides: Oscar / Mayer / YELLOW BAND WIENERS
Specifications
Make & Model: 1952 Oscar Mayer Wienermobile
Maker (Body): Gerstenslager Company, Wooster, Ohio
Maker (Chassis): Dodge Division, Chrysler Corporation, Highland Park, Michigan
Engine: Chevrolet V-8, overhead valves, 350 cubic inches
Transmission: 3-speed manual
Height: 122 inches
Wheelbase: 126 inches
Width: 75 inches
Overall length: 266 inches
Weight: 6500 pounds
Horsepower: 255 at 4600 revolutions per minute
Pounds per horsepower: 25.5
Price: $9,500
Average 1952 wage: $3,660 per year
Time you'd work to buy this truck: about 2 years, 7 months
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