The Oscar Mayer Wienermobile, one of six, 27-foot promotional vehicles that tour the United States and elsewhere throughout the year, recently made a stop at the Rochelle Walmart Friday afternoon.
That stop included a chance for visitors to get their own Oscar Mayer Wiener Whistle, some stickers, post cards bearing the words, “I Saw It!” and of course, a chance to see this iconic vehicle up close and personal with an onboard visit. The event drew moms and dads, little kids and big kids of all ages.  
The Wienermobile is built on the chassis of a USPS mail delivery truck and is 11 feet high, 27-feet long, 8 feet wide, and weighs 14,500 pounds. The body is fiberglass and under the bun is a V-8, 6.0 litre 300 VORTEC engine that runs on high octane mustard, according to the specification poster that accompanies the vehicle. Other appointments include a gull-wing entrance door with retractable stair case, a hot dog shaped dashboard, GPS navigational system, a “condiment splattered carpet,” touch screen controls for sound system, Bluetooth, and navigation. The “bunroof” is removable and there is a rear navigation camera, blue sky ceiling art, a smiling front grill and official Oscar Mayer wiener jingle horn.

The first Wienermobile was designed by Carl Mayer, nephew of Oscar Mayer, in 1936. In the intervening years, it has undergone many exterior design and interior evolutions; the 1952 model is currently on permanent display at the Henry Ford Museum in Dearborn, Mich.
The drivers of these unique vehicles are called “hotodggers” and since 1988, less than 450 college graduates have held the position.  
Sammi Manning, hotdogger for the Rochelle run, says driving the Wienermobile is a challenging and yet fun job.
“You meet people, the big kids are as excited as the little kids, sometimes more so, and everyone enjoys having their photo taken beside or in front of the Wienermobile,” she said. “People often turn their cars around to follow the Wienermobile, but somehow never ketchup!”  
Manning and her assistant, Haley, are non-stop punsters, clearly enjoying every minute of fun that comes from being an official “hotdogger.”  Sadly, it’s not a job everyone can do, Manning says.
“Many have applied for the job and even taken a test run and find they just can’t cut the mustard!” she joked.