When Kenworth revealed their new long-hood, the Kenworth W990, in 2018, it didn’t take long for John Pocock (owner of Pocock Trucking) to meet with Sam Moss, (salesperson at Kenworth Sales Company) – and make an order.
“For years, Kenworth vehicles, mainly Kenworth long-hood tractors, have been a mainstay of our company,” said Pocock. “The long hood’s historical style has helped build our corporate identity and how our consumers see us.” Our drivers also like driving them. Kenworth trucks are of excellent grade. When Kenworth announced that the Kenworth W990 would be released, I knew it would be an enhanced version of its predecessor. Kenworth’s reputation helped me make a choice to switch to the new truck.”
Pocock’s first contact with Kenworth was driving one for his father, John S. Pocock, who had previously owned the firm. His behind-the-wheel expertise influenced Pocock Trucking’s ongoing partnership with Kenworth. While keeping that in mind, let’s go ahead and take a look at ten things that you probably didn’t know about the Kenworth W990 truck.
1. Kenworth W900 has been around since 1961
The W900 has been in continuous production since 1961, making it one of the most long-running nameplates in American automotive history. The “W” designation in “W900” designates a set-forward axle, as it did in the original 900 series.
2. W stands for Worthington
The “W” in “W900” stands for “Worthington,” one of the company’s founders. However, did you know that the letters “A” and “B” after the W900A and W900B series trucks denote the vehicle’s generation? The initial model in the series was the W900 “A,” which was followed by the second generation W900 “B” in 1982. In 1990, however, the W900 “L” model broke the trend since the “L” in “W900L” stands for “long hood.” Although the following letter “C” in the W900 series was never seen, Kenworth did introduce the W990 in 2018, which many consider to be the next-generation W900.
3. It is featured in the Seattle Museum
The Seattle Museum of Flight contacted Kenworth in 1991 with an unusual request for the transfer of a rare SR71 Blackbird Spy aircraft that was over 98 feet long and 23 feet broad. The operation needed five Kenworth trucks, including a T800 and four T600A trucks. This massive, enormous load took over two weeks to move and is the museum’s main draw.
4. It is not the only truck that came out
In 1961, Kenworth made the ultimate power move by releasing not only the W900 truck but also the K100, their flagship cab-over-engine model. The simultaneous introduction of this dynamic duo, which had never been done before, further added to the popularity of the two trucks, as one benefited from the success of the other. The W900 is still the most popular owner-operator rig on the market. The W900 and the K100 are in great demand among restorers and have the finest resale value in the business. While the renowned W900 truck is still in production today, the K100 series cab-over was retired in 2004 due to a rapidly shrinking cab-over market.
5. The W900 is a bit of a movie star
The W900 is best famous for its appearances in films and television series such as “License to Kill,” “B.J. and the Bear,” and “Smokey and the Bandit.” W9 made a lesser-known cameo on the M.A.S.K. animated cartoon series from 1985 to 1986. The Kenworth W900 was not only featured in M.A.S.K. but it was also included in the cartoon’s logo.
6. This is one of the longest trucks in the market
Kenworth introduced the W900L, one of their longest trucks ever, in 1990. The W900L is one of the longest long-nose variants available, measuring 130 inches from bumper to rear of the cab. In addition to the massive W900L, Kenworth released the 86-inch studio sleeper in 1998, which was one of the most enormous factory-produced sleeper cabs ever.
7. It has a long nose
Speaking of long noses, the W990, the newest truck in the W900 range, may not be the W900’s successor, but it is Kenworth’s longest model. The next-generation W990 is just 1.5 inches shorter than the W900, measuring 131.5 inches from bumper to rear of the cab.
8. It is a major rival of Peterbilt 379
The Kenworth W900 and Peterbilt 379 are rivals in the trucking world, despite the fact that they are both owned by P.A.C.C.A.R. Inc. The powerful 379 and W900 are among the most renowned and acclaimed trucks today since they are by far the two most popular models on the show truck circuit. The W900 is a popular choice for show truck modification with unlimited possibilities for extra chrome and lighting.
9. It has undergone numerous changes
Throughout the years, the W900 and Kenworth have experienced several alterations and upgrades. One of the lesser recognized characteristics between the W900 and other Kenworths is that the K.W. insignia on earlier versions has four stripes, while the later emblems only have three. The original “stripes” on the symbol are meant to represent tire tracks.
10. It’s Bill Weaver’s truck of choice
Mr. Bill Weaver, a well-known figure in the trucking business and the country music world, may be recognizable to many of you. Bill is a great trucker/musician and a fellow presenter on Chrome and Steel Radio. Lyrics of Weaver’s song “Bull-Haulin,” which appears on his studio album “Burnin the Old School Down,” pay tribute to the iconic W900 truck. “He washes his feet and gets into the seat of a huge old W-9…”
Final words
Now you are aware of what the Kenworth W900 truck is all about. Armed with these fun facts you’re sure to win some trucker trivia nights!