Over 400 trucks descend on Clarendon, South Australia, for the Annual Kenworth Klassic and Fletch is there to bring you some of the action from this massive event.
Kenworth's history dates back to 1912 in Seattle, Washington, USA. In 1933, Kenworth was the first American truck company to make diesel engines standard in their trucks, along with a sleeper cab option. Developments followed with aluminium hubs, state-of-the-art sleeper cabs, torsion bar rear suspension, and hydraulic brakes (pre-air). By 1940 there were 250 Kenworth trucks on the road.
Importation into Australia began in 1962, and by 1967, 100 Kenworths were operating on Australian roads. Local assembly in Australia commenced in 1970, with 2,000 trucks produced out of the Bayswater Vic assembly plant. Kenworth just recently celebrated their 70,000th Kenworth truck; now that's a milestone.
The Kenworth Klassic is full of characters, salt-of-the-earth men and women who carry Australia. The camaraderie among them and their passion for these massive trucks is something to behold.
Fletch speaks with four owners who have taken time out of their driving schedule to be part of the annual event, many travelling vast distances to be here. Incredibly 75% of the trucks at Clarendon are working trucks and will be back on the road after the show.
First is Scott's 1967 fully customised Peterbilt Truck with V8 CAT engine. A restoration project of 18 years, with no expense spared, it's magnificently presented and still a working truck today.
Then another Scott, with a beautifully restored 1984 Kenworth with a tragic history. The previous owner of 28 years, a well-known character within the industry, died behind the wheel of this beloved Kenworth. Scott had lovingly maintained the Kenworth in the condition of the previous owner.
Next is Bruce, with his 1978 Kenworth, which also has a fascinating history. When Bruce was eight years old, he saw this truck owned by Max Keough and fell in love with it. Many years later, he chased it down and restored it to its showroom condition. The original owner, Max Keough, now driving trucks in the US, returned at Bruce's invitation for the weekend to see his original Kenworth truck in pristine condition and still bearing his name and colour scheme.
Finally, there is Chappo, who claims he may not have worked on every truck at the event, but he knows everyone, and everyone knows him.
Chappo is a mechanic, first and foremost, which lead him to become a road train driver, driving doubles and triples on the TNT Darwin Express for Shaw's Transport. Today he operates North West Transport and has spotted the original truck he drove on the Darwin run for Shaws Transport.
Big trucks and big characters are all at the Kenworth Klassic for 2022.
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