AUSTRALIA’S biggest vehicle manufacturer PACCAR hit gold when it opened – briefly – the order books for its unique Legend series of limited edition Kenworth trucks and in a tiny 24-hour window, secured more than 700 orders.

So strong was the interest that by 9am on July 8, more than 400 orders had come through.

The 2021 Kenworth Legend SAR is the third ‘Legend’ model and follows similar one-day order windows for the limited edition held in 2015 with the Legend 950 (of which only 75 units were offered), and 2017 when the Legend 900 was offered and sold out with 267 units.

The Legend is designed, engineered and made in Australia and is totally unique compared to anything else Kenworth offers globally. It is based on the styling of the original 1975 SAR (Short-bonnet, Australian, Right-hand drive) model, but with up-to-date safety, drivetrain and convenience features.

It’s akin to the Singer brand of Porsche 911s, made in the US by a specialist manufacturer that creates performance, comfort and safety features of a brand-new Porsche in a body style that dates back to 1989.

PACCAR marketing manager Ryan Hooper said the Legend “fuses old with the new”.

“The 2021 Legend is made even more special because it celebrates our 50th year of manufacture in Australia,” he said.

“The W900SAR was the first Kenworth model designed, engineered and built in Australia for Australian conditions and was produced from 1975 until 1985.

“We first showed the 2021 Legend at the Brisbane Truck Show on May 13, which allowed potential buyers to see the truck and for our sales team to talk about the product.

“When we released details of the 24-hour window for buyers to order the truck, I think most of us were expecting 200 to 400 orders. The 700-plus orders were quite a surprise.”

Mr Hooper said the reasons for the interest was primarily because the truck market was extremely strong at the moment, both for used and new trucks, and because buyers recognised the uniqueness of the Legend SAR.

The Legend SAR is unlike the other Kenworth models that also carry the SAR designation.

Features include side-mounted exhaust pipes and 7.0-inch pipes, 4.0-inch round front indicator lights (from the original SAR design); traditional doors and handles with ‘airlift’ windows; split windscreen with flat-glass panels; B-Series cab with extra headroom and seat travel; heritage grille with red-and-gold radiator logo; flat dashboard with white-faced gauges; wooden gear shift knob with Eaton Fuller logo; aluminium tank steps; diagonal-pleat leather upholstery and embroidered leather seats; and the latest Cummins X15 engine.

By Neil Dowling