In late March, Kenworth announced that it would be ending production of its iconic W900 model in 2026. Now, the OEM has announced a special Legacy Edition to commemorate one of the most celebrated designs in trucking history.

It’s the Kenworth W900 Legacy Edition. The OEM said it’s a truck that epitomizes the iconic Kenworth model that drivers of all ages aspire to own. 

A Limited Run of 1,000 Trucks

More than 280,000 W900s have been sold since 1963, with the final builds coming in 2026.

“Our W900 Legacy Edition is a way to celebrate the history and importance of the truck model with our customers,” said Kevin Haygood, Kenworth’s assistant general manager for sales and marketing. 

“We will produce 1,000 of these limited-edition trucks, and they’re sure to become a collector’s item. They’ll be powered by the Cummins X15 engine painted in legacy Cummins beige – an exclusive color for this limited edition."

The Legacy Edition is the ninth limited edition W900 Kenworth has produced, he said. so the company is bringing back paint schemes from those past trucks and some other fan favorites.

The Legacy Edition is available in Extended Day Cab, 72-inch Flat Top, and 86-inch Studio Sleeper configurations. 

Each Kenworth W900 Legacy Edition will be serialized – counting from 1,000 down to 0001 – in order of build date and sequence with a special limited-edition badge on the glovebox. 

The interior features a luxurious black Diamond VIT interior with platinum accents. For those ordering a sleeper, vintage tuck-and-roll adorns the sleeper back wall. Ravenwood door and dash trim compliment the Legacy Edition’s styling, while platinum accent stitching and throwback vintage Kenworth logos on trim and headrests complete the package. 

The Kenworth hood badges take the Legacy Edition into the past as well, using the design that became popular in 1966.

“There has been a long love affair between drivers and the W900,” said Haygood. “The trucking industry features many generational families and owner-operators who have bought the W900 over all these years."

He noted that W900s are a common sight at truck shows, with its long, classic hood.

"The W900 also occupies a special place in popular culture. It dodged Smokey and aided Mr. Bond, all while becoming an iconic piece of automotive history.”

A Bittersweet Goodbye to a Trucking Classic

According to Haygood, it’s bittersweet seeing the end of an era with the W900. 

“That truck means so much to Kenworth, and we know it means just as much to our customers in virtually every vocation thinkable,” he said. 

"For many, the W900 has been a part of their legacy as they’ve grown throughout the years. And, of course, it’s been the truck with owner-operators from the very beginning. 

"So, it’s with a heavy heart we say goodbye – due to emission regulations and component constraints – to a truck that signifies so much to so many. It’s a foundational piece of Kenworth and North America’s trucking legacy.”

Haygood said Kenworth’s W990 will now carry the torch of nostalgia for those who want traditional long hood styling.

“It shares many of the same custom tailoring characteristics of the W900 but in a wider cab configuration, with better aerodynamics,” Haygood said. 

“It also accommodates current and future emissions-compliant engines and driver’s assistance features through its platform and is set to meet regulations down the road. We hope it will continue the legacy of a bona fide legend – the W900.” 

The Long History of Kenworth Trucks at Mid-America

Kenworth and the Mid-America Trucking Show share a long history.

In the late 1980s, Kenworth partnered with MATS to begin hosting the band Alabama for a concert series that lasted 13 years.

MATS attracts 70,000 industry professionals, owner-operators and truck enthusiasts each year, according to Kenworth.

Kenworth has launched numerous flagship products at the show, including the aerodynamic and fuel efficient T660 in 2006, the highly evolved aerodynamic T680 in 2012, and the vocational workhorse T880 in 2013. 

For more information regarding Kenworth’s W900 Legacy Edition and a lookback at the W900’s history through stories and images, visit www.w900legacy.com.