meet the wienermobile, the 1930s quirky pedal car that put hot dogs on wheels
from its first appearance on american roads in 1936 to its miniature interpretations by bird corporation and konek, the oversized hot dog has become an enduring piece of advertising and automotive culture.
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two vintage wienermobile pedal cars return to auction
First introduced in 1936, the Oscar Mayer Wienermobile began as a traveling advertisement shaped like an oversized hot dog. Over the decades, the vehicle has gone through several redesigns, but its distinctive silhouette has remained central to the identity of the brand, turning an unconventional marketing idea into a familiar sight on American roads. Its recognizable form has also inspired toys, merchandise, and unusual experiences. In 2019, Oscar Mayer even transformed a full-size Wienermobile into a one-night Airbnb stay in Chicago, inviting guests to eat, live, and sleep inside the eight-meter-long vehicle (find designboom’s previous coverage here).
Now, two vintage Oscar Mayer Wienermobile pedal cars, produced by Bird Corporation and Konek Inc., are appearing together at auction on Bring a Trailer. Offered as a single lot without a reserve, the two new-old-stock examples are described as having never been ridden by children.
from a 1936 advertising experiment to an american icon
The story of the Wienermobile begins in 1936, when Carl G. Mayer, nephew of Oscar Mayer founder Oscar F. Mayer, proposed a hot dog-shaped vehicle as a traveling advertisement for the company’s products. Built by Chicago’s General Body Company, the original measured approximately four meters long and featured a metal body shaped like an oversized wiener, mounted on wheels. Its two open cockpits accommodated a driver and Little Oscar, the promotional character of the brand.
As the vehicle became an established part of Oscar Mayer’s advertising, successive generations introduced new interpretations of the original concept. The 1958 model, designed by industrial designer Brooks Stevens, introduced a rounded, bubble-like front and more integrated bun-shaped elements. Later versions experimented with larger bodies, updated chassis, and elaborate interiors, always retaining the unmistakable hot dog silhouette.
Oscar Mayer discontinued the program in the late 1970s, shifting its attention toward television advertising. Public enthusiasm for the vehicle, however, prompted its return in 1986 for the company’s 50th anniversary. New generations followed, and the Wienermobile resumed its travels across the United States, appearing at parades, public gatherings, supermarkets, and promotional events.
the wienermobile becomes a miniature ride-on toy
Over the years, the hot dog on wheels inspired toys, merchandise, and other branded interpretations, translating its instantly recognizable shape into objects that could be collected and played with. The two pedal cars now offered at auction on Bring a Trailer belong to this broader history.
Although they share the same orange-and-yellow color scheme, the Bird Corporation and Konek examples feature different construction methods. The Bird version has a single-piece, hot-dog-shaped plastic body mounted over a yellow base, while the Konek model uses a two-piece orange body with Oscar Mayer and Wienermobile decals across its front, rear, and sides.
Both combine molded plastic exteriors with metal frames, orange wheels, yellow seats, and black steering wheels with yellow horn buttons. Twin foot pedals power the miniature vehicles, while faux headlights, grilles, taillights, and windows complete their automotive appearance. The Konek example measures approximately 114 centimeters long, 53 centimeters wide, and 48 centimeters tall.
nearly 90 years of hot dogs on wheels
Today, the Wienermobile remains part of Oscar Mayer’s identity, with six vehicles operated by parent company Kraft Heinz. Its continued presence on American roads speaks to the unusual longevity of a marketing idea conceived in the 1930s. The hot dog-shaped vehicle has become a recognizable piece of American visual culture and continues to inspire new interpretations nearly 90 years after its first appearance.
The two pedal cars’ appearance at auction offers a chance to revisit the history of the Wienermobile, a promotional vehicle that brought advertising, automotive design, and popular culture together. First introduced in 1936, the hot dog-shaped vehicle has evolved into an enduring fixture of American popular culture.
project info:
name: Bird Corporation & Konek Oscar Mayer Wienermobile pedal cars
manufacturers: Bird Corporation and Konek Inc.
auction platform: Bring a Trailer | @bringatrailer
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