W900 LEGACY
K for Kent and W for Worthington
Kenworth introduced the W900 line of trucks that featured larger cabs and redesigned instrument panels.
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Big numbers in major markets
Kenworth was producing over 3,000 a year by 1965. The W900 became the W900A model and featured a longer hood to better accommodate longer diesel engines and a larger radiator to better cool the engines.
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New plant and media presence
Kenworth opens a plant in Chillicothe, Ohio on March 4th, 1974. This decision increased production capacity to 16,000 total units a year. The same year a dark green 1973 Kenworth W925 is featured on the new American television drama pilot “Movin’ On” which premiered on NBC May 8, 1974, running for two seasons. The model was later changed to a 1974 model for the series run.
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Industry firsts and a new way for trucker comfort
Kenworth introduces another industry-first - the raised-roof AERODYNE sleeper. This design set the new standard for driver comfort, offering seven feet of headroom meaning a trucker could stand tall in the sleeper while also having the additional benefit of lowering the drag caused by the trailer. With America’s bicentennial in mind, Kenworth introduced the W900 VIT 200 to join the K100 VIT 200 AERODYNE.
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Kenworth becomes a series regular, and this is just the beginning
The Kenworth W900A with a 36-inch sleeper was featured on “Smokey and the Bandit,” a 1977 classic road action comedy film starring Burt Reynolds, Sally Field, Jackie Gleason, and Jerry Reed, released May 19, 1977. The film had three separate trucks during filming, two 1974 models and a 1973 model.
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Accommodating for cooling
The popular Kenworth W900A model was replaced with the W900B, which showcased rectangular headlights while still offering the traditional round option. This model featured a raised hood and cab and a larger radiator to help accommodate cooling requirements.
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More trucks triumphing in industries
The W900S extended the vocational uses of the T800-like truck into the ready-mix concrete industry in 1987. Combining a set-forward axle, short bumper setting, and cab location allowed it to meet local bridge laws. Inevitably this became immensely popular in the ready-mix concrete industry.
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Extra inches that make a flagship
The W900 is announced as a series of models with the introduction of the W900L. This hood extends 10 inches longer than the W900B and becomes the flagship owner-operator truck of Kenworth.
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500,000 trucks and setting more standards
In 2015 the ICON 900 Limited Edition truck was launched and incorporated on the W900L model. This featured special numbered trucks with styling accents special for the ICON product.
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Driving the Next 100 Years
Kenworth recognizes its 100 year history with a year-long celebration, launching two Special Edition Trucks including the W900 Limited Edition.
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