Autoblog

The Wienermobile is a marvel of American motoring, with 72 years in service and a design more memorable than any other. At 27 feet in length, the legendary frankfurter is also one of the bigger vehicles on the road, but that's all changed with the introduction of the MINI Cooper Wienermobile. At only 15 feet in length, the diminutive mystery meat machine is a more compact tribute to one of America's favorite foods, and its down-sized footprint is better for the environment, too. Oscar Mayer unveiled the Mini Wienermobile as part of a promotion celebrating the company's 125 years in business, though the company didn't say whether the MINI Cooper would remain in the Wienermobile fleet.

While it wouldn't be right for the MNI Cooper to replace the original Wienermobile altogether as the official transportation for the world's biggest hot dog, we think it's certainly capable enough to join the fleet, especially after we learned how dangerous the original can be on icy roads. Follow the jump to view some funny video of Super Bowl champion Michael Strahan checkin' out the MINI Wienermobile. He digs them chrome rims something fierce.

[Source: New York Times via AutoblogGreen]

The Oscar Mayer Wienermobile may be the most unique and recognizable vehicle on American roads, but even a 7,000-pound hot dog can spin out of control on a patch of ice. The 27-foot-long rolling tribute to pig lips and chicken necks lost its footing and spun into an embankment on highway 15 in Pennsylvania on its way to Penn State for a recruiting visit. Neither of the two women riding in the flailing frankfurter were hurt in the incident, and a tow truck was able to get the over-sized sausage back onto the road.

We're not sure how fast the two women were driving the Wienermobile when the spin-out occured, but this incident only proves that even giant wieners can benefit from stability control. Click the read link below for a lot more bad hot dog humor.

Thanks for the tip, bakerlaw67!

[Source: Star-Gazette]

Chicago loves its hot dogs, unless of course they're illegally parked. Then they're getting a ticket just like every other fast food-shaped vehicle breaking the law.

On Thursday, the Wienermobile was caught in a no-parking zone on Michigan Avenue and promptly ticketed by one of Chicago's finest. The 27-foot-long, iconic frank-on-wheels' driver, however, returned to the vehicle just in time to save it from the city's tow truck.

Sydney Lindner, a spokesperson for Kraft, told the Associated Press, illegal parking is against company policy, "even if you're driving a company vehicle that's shaped like a giant hot dog."

It's too bad all the other weenies on the road don't follow proper driving etiquette.

[Source: AP via Forbes]