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BTS21: Kenworth unveils Legend SAR in the metal

Brisbane Truck Show marks official debut of 50th anniversary edition

Legend SAR at the Brisbane Truck Show (3).jpg

Kenworth has taken the wraps off its 50th anniversary edition Legend SAR at the 2021 Brisbane Truck Show (BTS).

Based on ‘legendary’ Kenworth models from the past, the Legend SAR is the third in that series of special edition Kenworths.

Following the response to the Legend 950 in 2015 and the Legend 900 in 2017, the timing of the debut of the Legend SAR is aligned with Kenworth celebrating 50 years of manufacturing trucks in Australia.

The truck combines the “latest technology for safer, cleaner and more productive operation”, with features that embrace Kenworth’s unique heritage, Paccar Australia notes.  

It is modelled on the W900SAR, built and sold in Australia from 1975 until 1985 and the first Kenworth model designed, engineered and built in Australia specifically for Australian operating requirements.

With a sloping bonnet and raised cab position allowing for the first use of under cab battery and toolboxes, the W900SAR (SAR standing for ‘Short-bonnet Australian Right-hand drive’) was a fusion of the W900AR and S2 models.


Our eyes on the road spied the Legend SAR ahead of its launch


 

“Importantly, it could take the high horsepower engines favoured by Australian transport operators and still carry the maximum legal payload within existing length limits and was lighter than the AR and Kenworth’s cab-over model of the day, the K100,” Paccar Australia adds.

“Built to honour the character of the first all-Australian Kenworth truck, the Legend SAR represents the iconic appeal of the much-loved W900SAR.”

Legend SAR Dash.jpg

While more than 45 years have passed since it first went into production and other SAR models have ensued, the allure of the original ‘SAR’ still remains and is reignited with the release of the third in the series of Legends.

“The truck not only commemorates 50 years of proudly manufacturing Kenworth trucks in Australia, it symbolises what was a turning point for local design and engineering and the custom-build philosophy that Kenworth is still renowned for today,” Paccar Australia director sales and marketing Brad May says.

“In addition to recognising our long heritage in this country, the Legend SAR pays homage to all those that have stood, and stand today, behind the badge of a Kenworth truck.

“The ones that have helped make Australian-made Kenworths an integral part of the unique Australian landscape.”

Named “Son of Nugget” as tribute to the iconic W-Series limited edition “Gold Nugget” released in 1984, the Legend SAR, the Legend SAR includes a full suite of heritage style limited edition features that celebrates Kenworth’s journey in Australia’s road transport industry.

Legend SAR Side View.png

Its features include:

  • Flat windscreen B-series cab providing extra headroom and seat travel, delivering greater levels of comfort for the driver than the original SAR
  • Traditional doors and door handles complete with airlift windows
  • 36-inch and 50-inch sleeper cabs are available in both an Aero 1 and flat roof design.  A dovetail air deflector atop the sleeper is available with the Aero 1
  • Two-piece (split) windscreen with chrome trim, topped off with bullet-style cab marker lights and dual round air horns
  • The hood is adorned with heritage Kenworth and Cummins badges with an anniversary edition red and gold traditional italic Kenworth bug, which proudly sits atop the authentically reproduced and iconic SAR grille
  • Round 4″ front turn signals on the crown of the wheel arch reminiscent of the original SARs
  • Side-mounted exhausts include a wraparound cover, just like the old SARs, with exposed chrome elbows and 7″ curved pipes to give the truck a commanding presence
  • The interior of the Legend SAR has a premium feel and features diamond pleat trim with ‘Legend SAR 50th Anniversary Edition’ embossed into the rear wall and door trims and a wooden plaque on the glove box lid to identify the unique build number of each truck
  • Stainless scuff plates adorned with the Legend SAR logo on door openings
  • A traditional Kenworth bug and Legend SAR logo embroidered into the leather seats
  • The gear lever of the manual transmission topped with a wooden gear knob featuring the original Eaton Fuller logo and a stainless steel Legend SAR surround fitted around the sock 
  • A traditional flat dash layout houses a full suite of handmade heritage style chrome-bezelled and white-faced gauges, featuring the traditional Kenworth bug, toggle switches with backlit graphics and a four-spoke leather steering wheel
  • On the body of the truck, traditional extruded aluminium tank steps run alongside round fuel tanks, stainless rear guards and tail light bars are standard, as are black rubber mudflaps adorned with the traditional Kenworth bug
  • Under the hood is a Cummins X15 engine, specially painted in beige to commemorate Cummins’ heritage
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