Photo Friday

“Oh I'd love to be an Oscar Mayer wiener…” How many of us remember the words of that immortal song? Right up there with “My bologna has a first name…”, right?

Better yet, how many of us remember the Wienermobile?

The quirky vehicle, shaped like a hot dog atop a bun, serves as a vivid visual advertisement for Oscar Mayer hot dogs.

The Wienermobile made its debut in 1936. Hotdoggers (Wienermobile drivers) continue to travel around the country in a half dozen modernized Wienermobiles promoting product and blogging about their travels online!

Here in the Detroit area, we can see a vintage Wienermobile any time by visiting The Henry Ford museum’s 1952 Wienermobile. The Henry Ford’s vehicle is reportedly one of the most-photographed artifacts at the museum and sits near a Wienermobile Café where museum visitors can grab a quick hot dog (what else?) snack.

You can find Wienermobile memorabilia at The Henry Ford to add to your collection, or you can check out this site to see one man’s impressive collection of Wienermobile items!

Meanwhile, here are a few shots of the Wienermobile I took during our most recent visit to The Henry Ford.

Check out previous Photo Friday posts about The Henry Ford, featuring photos from Rock Stars’ Cars & Guitars 2 and a vintage McDonald’s sign, as well as my story at The Urbane Life about the Rock Stars’ Cars & Guitars 2 exhibit.

Thanks to Debbie Dubrow of Delicious Baby for creating and coordinating Photo Friday to link travel photos and blog posts across the Web.

© Dominique King 2009

Comments

[Steve Davis]

I remember seeing these back east in Ontario growing up. Also visited the Ford Museum a couple of times years ago. Extraordinary place.

Interesting post.
Steve

[Tim]

I'm proud to say I'm old enough to not only remember the commercial but to know the words by heart.

[Becks Davis]

I remember when I was in high school or college one of my friends older sister drove the Wienermobile. I was so jealous! I think I still am, I'd love to drive that thing around.

[Jessie Voigts]

what a hoot!! and great photos - thanks for sharing this!

[Dominique]

Steve-
We love The Henry Ford. We're fortunate to live only about a 1/2 away from it and Greenfield Village. Thanks for stopping by!

Tim-Both verses? :lol:

Becks-Ooooh...I'm jealous, too! I'd love to drive the Wienermoblie, but I also have wanted to drive a Zamboni for ages as well!

Jessie-It's always fun to go out and take pictures at The Henry Ford. I've got some more photos of a different subject from the same day that I plan to use for a future Photo Friday post :)

[Dominique]

Steve--I meant to say we live 1/2 hour away from The Henry Ford :)

[Carolina]

You know, as a teacher, I have lots of free time in the summer...hmm how come I never thought of driving a Wienermobile around and blogging about it?
These are cool pictures, the lighting is great.

[Amy @ The Q Family]

That's so cool. I have never seen one in real life.

[Dominique]

Carolina-Imagine your what-I-did-on-my-summer-vacation reports!
The lighting in the museum can be challenging at times, but if you're talking a non-moving object or non-close-up shot, pictures can turn out pretty decent.

Amy-I don't know that I've ever seen a Wienermobile out on the street in something other than a car show or at The Henry Ford. It'd be cool to see it driving down the street, don't you think?

[amida]

Ok... that weiner mobile is a bit scary looking! But I do sing the bologna song, even to this day, though I never eat the stuff!

[Dominique]

amida-I don't know about scary looking, although I guess if I saw the Wienermobile barreling down the street towards me I'd be less than thrilled.
Grew up on bologna, including the delicacy of fried bologna for breakfast in place of bacon or sausage. I always liked ring bologna as a kid, too. Last time I remember having bologna was a few years ago when we had fried bologna for breakfast when staying in a cabin Up North.