# What is the top speed of the Wienermobile? **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [December 2, 2011, 6:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-top-speed-of-the-wienermobile/604808 "2011-12-02T06:15:44Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![drastic\_quench](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e36b37/32.png) [@drastic\_quench](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/drastic_quench)\ **Post date:** [December 2, 2011, 6:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-top-speed-of-the-wienermobile/604808/1 "2011-12-02T06:15:44Z")
Preferably the current full-size models. Were the older models faster, though? I would imagine the current ones may have a speed governor. ---
**Author:** ![gaffa](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/e68b1a/32.png) [@gaffa](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gaffa)\ **Post date:** [December 2, 2011, 7:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-top-speed-of-the-wienermobile/604808/2 "2011-12-02T07:22:03Z")
> [@drastic\_quench](#): > > Preferably the current full-size models. Were the older models faster, though? I would imagine the current ones may have a speed governor. They have to be capable of highway speeds, as they are not limited to a single city, but they are not designed for high speed touring. [Here’s a _Motor Trend_ test drive report.](http://www.motortrend.com/classic/roadtests/8712_oscar_mayer_wienermobile_first_test/viewall.html) 0-60 mph in 24.81 seconds pretty much sums it up. ---
**Author:** ![Giles](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/giles/32/60_2.png) [@Giles](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Giles)\ **Post date:** [December 2, 2011, 8:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-top-speed-of-the-wienermobile/604808/3 "2011-12-02T08:19:07Z")
Well, it comes from Michigan, where the speed limit on the interstates is generally 70 mph – but only wimps drive below 75. So, if you were designing a great Michigander icon, would you put a speed governor on it? ---
**Author:** ![GreasyJack](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/df705f/32.png) [@GreasyJack](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GreasyJack)\ **Post date:** [December 2, 2011, 8:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-top-speed-of-the-wienermobile/604808/4 "2011-12-02T08:31:45Z")
They’re just a Chevy W-series (aka Isuzu N-series) cube van with a funny body. A normal V8 cube van has no problem cruising along at full interstate speeds even when loaded up, and I’d imagine one that’s empty and shaped like a hotdog instead of a brick would only be faster. I’ve been passed by one on a 75 MPH interstate, so they’re at least capable of speeds in that range. ---
**Author:** ![Senegoid](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/senegoid/32/6606_2.png) [@Senegoid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Senegoid)\ **Post date:** [December 2, 2011, 8:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-top-speed-of-the-wienermobile/604808/5 "2011-12-02T08:50:12Z")
> [@gaffa](#): > > They have to be capable of highway speeds, as they are not limited to a single city, but they are not designed for high speed touring. [Here’s a _Motor Trend_ test drive report.](http://www.motortrend.com/classic/roadtests/8712_oscar_mayer_wienermobile_first_test/viewall.html) 0-60 mph in 24.81 seconds pretty much sums it up. OMG, I haven’t seen or heard of one of these since I was a kiddie, early 1960’s or so. They still exist somewhere? That article you cited begs some clarification. I only skimmed it (tl;dr), but it is dated December 1987 and seems to describe the W-mobile as something new. However, about 8 page-downs into the text, he seems to say that the vehicle being tested is a 1969 model, and about one page-down further, he mentions that the first one appeared in 1936. ETA: Does anyone know what kind of a show they put on inside the W-mobile these days? The show I saw as a kid, as best I recall, was some kind of little-kiddle space ship trip, with the operator as space pilot. Space travel sci-fi (very primitive by modern sci-fi lights, even compared to Star Trek) was very hot in those early space-race days. ---
**Author:** ![johnpost](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/f17d59/32.png) [@johnpost](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/johnpost)\ **Post date:** [December 2, 2011, 1:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-top-speed-of-the-wienermobile/604808/6 "2011-12-02T13:20:23Z")
it has been stopped for speeding in Texas, but hasn’t every hotdog been stopped in that state. there are 6 full sized weiners with 5700 Vortec V8 engine on GMC W-series chassis. ---
**Author:** ![Sigene](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/df788c/32.png) [@Sigene](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sigene)\ **Post date:** [December 2, 2011, 1:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-top-speed-of-the-wienermobile/604808/7 "2011-12-02T13:22:27Z")
I’ve got some Oscar Meyer connections. I’ve met socially with the guy who is in charge of the Weinermobiles (there are 6 of them I think). I don’t have his contact information, but one of my best friends works with him. I’ll see what I can find out. ---
**Author:** ![Sigene](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/df788c/32.png) [@Sigene](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sigene)\ **Post date:** [December 2, 2011, 3:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-top-speed-of-the-wienermobile/604808/8 "2011-12-02T15:43:18Z")
> [@](#): > > The Wienermobile can haul buns, but it is always driven the speed limit. and > [@](#): > > It’s a V8, 6 liter, 300 Chevy Vortec engine. The vehicle comfortably travels at highway speeds. We have never taken it out for a top-end test. ---
**Author:** ![kenobi\_65](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kenobi_65/32/13178_2.png) [@kenobi\_65](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kenobi_65)\ **Post date:** [December 2, 2011, 4:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-top-speed-of-the-wienermobile/604808/9 "2011-12-02T16:50:45Z")
> [@Senegoid](#): > > OMG, I haven’t seen or heard of one of these since I was a kiddie, early 1960’s or so. They still exist somewhere? They’re still actively used by Kraft Foods, which now owns Oscar Mayer (though the ones currently in use are almost undoubtedly not the same ones from the 1960s). They have several Wienermobiles (it looks like four at the moment) which tour the U.S. They have a blog on their web site, where the Wienermobile drivers post about where they are: [http://hotdoggerblog.com/](http://hotdoggerblog.com/) ---
**Author:** ![DCnDC](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dcndc/32/2842_2.png) [@DCnDC](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DCnDC)\ **Post date:** [December 2, 2011, 4:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-top-speed-of-the-wienermobile/604808/10 "2011-12-02T16:56:00Z")
> [@Senegoid](#): > > OMG, I haven’t seen or heard of one of these since I was a kiddie, early 1960’s or so. They still exist somewhere? I passed one on I-95 South last summer on my way down to Atlanta. I even managed to snap a picture of it as I went by in case no one believed me. Of course I don’t know what happened to that picture, it’s probably still on my old phone. ---
**Author:** ![Hampshire](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hampshire/32/4887_2.png) [@Hampshire](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hampshire)\ **Post date:** [December 2, 2011, 5:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-top-speed-of-the-wienermobile/604808/11 "2011-12-02T17:06:29Z")
My FIL just posted pictures on facebook a couple days ago of the one going through Rosemont, IL. ---
**Author:** ![EdwardLost](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/bbe5ce/32.png) [@EdwardLost](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/EdwardLost)\ **Post date:** [December 2, 2011, 5:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-top-speed-of-the-wienermobile/604808/12 "2011-12-02T17:17:24Z")
Can the Weinermobiles do donuts? Maybe those would they be called bagel dogs. ---
**Author:** ![johnpost](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/f17d59/32.png) [@johnpost](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/johnpost)\ **Post date:** [December 2, 2011, 5:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-top-speed-of-the-wienermobile/604808/13 "2011-12-02T17:20:09Z")
if you catch them at a scheduled stop then you can blow a wiener. they give away wiener whistles. ---
**Author:** ![Duckster](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/duckster/32/1244_2.png) [@Duckster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Duckster)\ **Post date:** [December 2, 2011, 5:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-top-speed-of-the-wienermobile/604808/14 "2011-12-02T17:25:15Z")
If you’ve ever been passed by a Weinermobile, clearly you cannot cut the mustard and probably seriously lack any ability to ketchup to one. ---
**Author:** ![blondebear](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/blondebear/32/1022_2.png) [@blondebear](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/blondebear)\ **Post date:** [December 2, 2011, 5:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-top-speed-of-the-wienermobile/604808/15 "2011-12-02T17:31:49Z")
I relish any opportunity to see the Weinermobile. ---
**Author:** ![Dag\_Otto](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/439d5e/32.png) [@Dag\_Otto](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dag_Otto)\ **Post date:** [December 2, 2011, 8:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-top-speed-of-the-wienermobile/604808/16 "2011-12-02T20:12:12Z")
> [@johnpost](#): > > it has been stopped for speeding in Texas, but hasn’t every hotdog been stopped in that state. > > there are 6 full sized weiners with 5700 Vortec V8 engine on GMC W-series chassis. Back in the late 80s, a colloege buddy got a job driving one of these around, he covered a fairly large region. One weekend he is back in town with it and he takes a few friends out for a drive. Driving a bit too fast on a back road, we get pulled over by a cop. So I can add that it has been ticketed for speeding in NM also, but that was in a 35 mph zone. The Wienermobile was stocked with beer that night. And those whistles. ---
**Author:** ![gaffa](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/e68b1a/32.png) [@gaffa](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gaffa)\ **Post date:** [December 2, 2011, 11:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-top-speed-of-the-wienermobile/604808/17 "2011-12-02T23:56:54Z")
They let Dave Barry drive one once, and [he took it to a used car lot and tried to trade it in for a car that looked a little less like a giant wiener](http://www.pair-of-dice.com/luke/maze/weiner.html): > [@](#): > > I got a slightly better response later in Central Miami, where I pulled into a used-car lot. The owner walked up, staring at the Wienermobile. > > “I’m thinking about trading this in,” I said. “I’m looking for something that is not shaped so much like a giant hot dog.” > > He was genuinely interested. He was clearly thinking: Sale. > > “OK,” he said, looking around the lot, “I have …” > > “What I want,” I said, interrupting, “is a vehicle shaped like a SMALLER hot dog. A more COMPACT hot dog. You have anything like that?” > > He stood there, thinking hard. “Give me your card,” he said, “in case something turns up.” > > You have to admire that kind of determination. ---
**Author:** ![fumster](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/e9c0ed/32.png) [@fumster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/fumster)\ **Post date:** [December 3, 2011, 5:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-top-speed-of-the-wienermobile/604808/18 "2011-12-03T17:53:19Z")
It’s 60 MPH unless they are hot dogging it. ---
**Author:** ![The\_Hamster\_King](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/8edcca/32.png) [@The\_Hamster\_King](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Hamster_King)\ **Post date:** [December 3, 2011, 7:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-top-speed-of-the-wienermobile/604808/19 "2011-12-03T19:56:03Z")
I think it depends on how big a cliff you drive it off of. ---
**Author:** ![digs](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/digs/32/14889_2.png) [@digs](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/digs)\ **Post date:** [December 3, 2011, 11:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-top-speed-of-the-wienermobile/604808/20 "2011-12-03T23:57:08Z")
> [@kenobi\_65](#): > > They’re still actively used by Kraft Foods, which now owns Oscar Mayer (though the ones currently in use are almost undoubtedly not the same ones from the 1960s). They have several Wienermobiles (it looks like four at the moment) which tour the U.S. They have a blog on their web site, where the Wienermobile drivers post about where they are: > [http://hotdoggerblog.com/](http://hotdoggerblog.com/) My classroom looks out on a random\* parking lot that has, on any given day, five to ten Weinermobiles. So I’d guess they have more than four out at a time (or four touring nationwide, and more locally). (Yes, staring at a long row of yellow-and-orange Weinermobiles lit by the setting sun is indeed surreal.) \*Not owned by Oscar Mayer, but maybe they rent space there. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/what-is-the-top-speed-of-the-wienermobile/604808.md?page=2)