Mention “American big rigs” to someone not associated with the trucking industry, and odds are an image of the Kenworth W900 is going to pop into their heads.

And why not?

The truck is a cultural icon and movie star in its own right. Who can forget Jerry Reed’s Snowman, gear-jamming a trailer full of Coors beer over to Atlanta while Burt Reynolds’ Bandit ran interceptor in his black Trans Am?

And we can’t forget about Claude Akins' green 1974 model in the TV series “Movin’ On,” can we?

A big part of this truck’s presence in American popular culture stems from its broad-shouldered, rugged good looks. Without a doubt, Kenworth designers nailed the truck’s aesthetics from the jump. And it remains a popular, aspirational truck for fleets and drivers to this day. And that’s a remarkable achievement considering the truck has been on the market for more than 50 years, now.

A New Truck for New Times

That’s right. Kenworth debuted the W900 in 1956 – the same year a young rockabilly singer from Mississippi named Elvis Presley was starting to break out nationally.

And although it’s considered a “classic” design today. The W900 was actually a modern, even cutting-edge truck when it first appeared. 

The American heavy truck market was of two minds about truck designs in the 1950s. 

Cabover models emerged as the dominant heavy design after World War II. These trucks offered drivers exceptional maneuverability and visibility. And their shorter cab lengths (a function of tractor-trailer length laws at the time) meant they could pull longer trailers and carry more payload.

But as the American highway network expanded and improved, longer and longer haul routes were becoming routine. And cabovers obviously lacked the room and comfort desirable on multiple day runs. Moreover, the driver sat directly over both the engine and front axle. Which meant that cabovers were generally loud and rode like hell. 

The answer was “conventional” truck designs. These are front-engine models that have longer, more spacious interiors that allow for a much larger sleeper berth. These models generally ride smoother and are quieter, too. That’s because both the engine and the front axle are out in front of the driver. This dampens in-cab noise levels and smooths out the ride considerably.

And it was this unique design environment that saw Kenworth bring the W900 into the world.

By the mid-‘50s, Kenworth’s premier Class 8 truck model was the “bullnose” K100 cabover. Kenworth’s new conventional model – then simply dubbed the “900 Model” -- shared the same chassis and as the K100. But Kenworth designers had nailed an iconic look that drew on styling cues from the 1930s while delivering a fresh, bold image that would come to define American long-haul trucking.

It was all there: A tall, gleaming, chrome grille out in front of a long nose, set off by a wide, no-nonsense stance, stout fenders with quad headlamps – all topped off by a commanding, high-rise cab. Chrome exhaust stacks, roof-mounted air horns and shining, cab-mounted air cannisters rounded out the new truck’s look. 

Kenworth has tweaked the design over the decades. Smoothing out some lines. Sharpening others. Modernizing when appropriate. But all in all, today’s W900 models remain faithful to the vision first laid out by Kenworth designs more than six decades ago. 

Engine options were standard for the time. Cummins, Caterpillar and Detroit Diesel options offered. Although the W900’s larger engine bay meant that higher-horsepower options than offered on cabover models were generally available. 

An Instant Classic

The new truck proved popular. And by 1961, Kenworth decided to improve upon the original design. The new version of the truck, designed the W900 to distinguish it from the earlier model, featured a host of new features and improvements. Among these were a raised roofline and taller windows and the now iconic two-piece front windshield. Up front, a wider, redesigned grill enhanced airflow into the engine bay. And the quad headlamps were integrated into the fenders.

1965 saw additional upgrades and the introduction of the W900A model. The trend was definitely toward higher horsepower in conventional models. So Kenworth designers lengthened the truck’s nose and increased its radiator size to accommodate larger diesel engines.

These upgrades were followed by new, more ergonomic door designs in 1972. And in 1973 the Kenworth badge was redesigned, resulting in a restyled grille and hood badge. 1976 saw the introduction of the iconic Aerodyne sleeper with its twin skylight windows in the roof.

In 1982, Kenworth rolled out the W900B, introducing rectangular headlights and a higher hood. The OEM also updated the engine bay with more modern cooling and exhaust systems. And the first hint of modular electronic components appeared.

Since 1982, Kenworth has offered the W900 in three basic models:

• The base W900B model

• The W900S is a severe-duty model

• The W900L is a high-power/longer-nosed variant – This truck eventually became the most popular W900 variant.

Behind the Wheel of a Classic

Is the W900 entering into its twilight years? Probably. Sixty-plus years is a phenomenal run for any vehicle. And there are signs that Kenworth will wind down W900 production at some point.

In 2020, the OEM ended production of the W900S model. Currently, Kenworth still builds the W900B and the W900L.

In 2018, Kenworth also introduced the W990 model. This is a distinct, all-new design that shares many of the same components as modern Kenworth trucks – but with styling cues that clearly evoke the iconic W900 Series. The assumption is that at some point, the W990 will assume the role the W900 enjoys as Kenworth’s classic conventional truck design. 

If you’ve never driven a W900, you’re missing out. I’ve had the opportunity to drive several models on visits to Kenworth’s home turf in Renton, Washington, during my career. And it’s always been a treat to climb up into the cab of one of these incredible trucks.

Usually these drives take place in the stunning Cascade Mountain range outside of the Seattle metropolitan area. And let me tell you -- those twisting, winding, narrow, mountain roads can be pretty interesting in a truck as broad-shouldered as the W900 is!

But there’s really nothing like driving a W900. Just looking out over that long, narrow, hood, while perched up high in the cab, is an incredible experience. There is an undeniable connection to generations of drivers who first embraced and then fell in love with this truck. And it’s easy to see why sitting high up in a W900 cab. 

I often comment on how many of the modern trucks I test drive have a distinct passenger car-like feel in terms of comfort, ride and handling. When you’re behind the wheel of a W900, there’s no mistaking the fact that you’re in an old school truck.

This is not to say the W900 is uncomfortable. It’s not. They ride great. Their handling is exceptional. But taken as a whole, the throwback dashboard with its row upon row of dials and gauges, the bounce of the air-ride seat, the two-pane windshield and – of course – the manual gearbox, gives you a bit of swagger that you just don’t feel settling in behind the wheel of many modern Class 8 trucks.

That’s because the W900 has 60-plus years of history behind it. The truck is an American icon. But it’s also a design that has weathered a stunning array of changes over its long life. It has proven to be incredibly adaptable to new technology. And it continues to deliver high levels of driver comfort and productivity combined with a distinct sense of style and flair that turns heads everywhere these trucks go.