Brands - Kenworth

Burnett's Motors, Ashburton, Canadian built 1966 Kenworth L924R was the first Kenworth truck sold new in the South Island. It would be another 5 or 6 years before another KW was sold to a South Island operator. It would not be until 1971-72 when a handful of Australian built K125 cabovers were supplied to Shell Oil for operation in the Nelson region and Transport Nelson that the next Kenworths went on the road in the South Island.

Now running under the Burnett Construction Services name, the Kenworth is pictured at the Ferry Road, Tunnel Road roundabout in Christchurch. It is transporting an Anderson factory boiler destined for Alliance Textiles' Oamaru factory. It is getting the job done with a load divider and transporter. It appears to be coming from the port and as the boiler would be too large for the Lyttelton Road Tunnel it must have come from Lyttelton over Evans Pass and through Sumner.

A slightly later picture of Burnett's Kenworth-now fitted with a pusher axle in front of the drive axles. It is pictured at the port of Lyttelton and seems to be hitched to a towed scraper.

Burnett's 1966 Kenworth L924R after a refurbishment. After several years duty as a front line heavy haulage tractor unit it became a 3 axle bulk tipper towing a 3 axle trailer. Before its days as a heavy haulage unit were over however it was involved in a roll over accident on Evans Pass Road between the Christchurch suburb of Sumner and the port of Lyttelton. It was recabbed with a later W model cab and received fibreglass front guards from an LW model in place of the original steel guards. Still powered by the trusty NH250 Cummins it was a striking bulk unit in its day.

2 of Barry Caulfield's bright yellow trucks, a Leyland Super Hippo and a W model Kenworth.

A very picturesque shot of some of the North Island contingent returning to Picton via the Kaikoura Coast. Leading the pack is Barry Caulfield's Leyland Super Hippo, followed by John Douglas's ex-N.Z. Army International F230D, Dave Brockman's International RF200, Ian Storey's Kenworth L924R and Bob Ellis's International VF195.

Nice lineup of Kenworth hoods from the 1970s-80s-from the right Nick Vanderley's 1973 LW924R, Steve Murphy's ex-Southland Excavating 1980 W924AR. Robert Duncan's 1978 W924R, Neil MacDonald's 1982 W924AR and perhaps the most famous KW in N.Z., the 1973 Detroit Diesel 12V71 powered LW924R "Concorde" owned by George Wallis at the time.

The ex-Southland Excavating Detroit Diesel 8V92TA powered 1980 Kenworth W924AR. At the time this truck was owned by Steve Murphy from Kaiapoi. In its former red and white livery, this truck was a well-known sight around Southland on heavy haulage duties. With its big Detroit V8, 20 speed Spicer 1420 gearbox and heavy weight backend it was a very capable heavy hauler.

Barry Caulfield's 1972 Kenworth W923S2R. S2 models featured a short hood/bonnet with 102" BBC-(bumper to back of cab measurement). This Kenworth is powered by a Cummins V903 and was one of 2 S2 models new as loggers to John Pulham of Mt. Maunganui. It later came to the South Island, first to Cromwell based contractor Tav Miller and then to Reilly's Towage in Dunedin whose colours it still wears.

1974 Kenworth W924R belonging to John Chapman of Pukekohe.

Ian Storey from Gisborne with his 1965 Kenworth L924R "Steptoe". Apart from 2 heavy duty 848 off-road models supplied to N.Z. Forest Products, the first Kenworth trucks sold in N.Z. in 1965-67 were Canadian L923 and L924 models like "Steptoe". All were powered by Cummins NH250 engines and were manufactured at the Canadian Kenworth factory at Burnaby, British Columbia.

George Wallis's International "Golden Anniversary" AA110 with GM 3.53 engine leading Barry Westrupp's Mack B61T, Alex McLellan's Kenworth W924SAR, Ray Reid's Kenworth LW924R, Mike Houghton's Leyland Beaver-Steer and Gordon Huddlestone's Leyland Comet.

Neil MacDonald from Pahiatua with his 1982 Kenworth W924AR. This truck originally had the biggest engine fitted to W model Kenworths in N.Z.-an 1150 cubic inches Cummins KTA525.

Neil MacDonald's 1982 Kenworth W924AR with Paul Gleeson's 1936 Chevrolet along for the ride.

Barry Caulfield's 1974 Kenworth W924R.

Barry Caulfield's 1972 Kenworth W923S2R.

Ian Storey from Gisborne with his 1965 Kenworth L924R "Steptoe". Apart from 2 heavy duty 848 off-road models supplied to N.Z. Forest Products, the first Kenworth trucks sold in N.Z. in 1965-67 were Canadian L923 and L924 models like "Steptoe". All were powered by Cummins NH250 engines and were manufactured at the Canadian Kenworth factory at Burnaby, British Columbia.

A narrow grille Kenworth W924R of Dale's Freightways, Auckland, transporting a barge. Note the Farr dry type "square box" air cleaner and the Cummins and Jacobs brake stickers.

An Australian built Kenworth W924AR powered by a Cummins NTC400 Big Cam engine that belonged to Clyde Dam Project gravel contractors, Stewart Bros., based at Cromwell.

Parks Towing of Christchurch operated this 1975 Kenworth W924R heavy recovery unit powered by a Cummins NTC350. This truck was new to Hyland Haulage of Waiuku where it was fitted with an alloy tipping bin and pulled a 3 axle trailer with a similar alloy tipping deck. It was operated by a few other North Island operators before coming south to become a breakdown unit. It became Parks' frontline heavy wrecker replacing an Atkinson with an IH ACCO-A series cab.

A large piece of electrical equipment on a 4 axle low bed transporter for the Manapouri Power Project has been hauled by the ex-Burnett's Motors International RDF210-H, now with joint venture company, Utah Williamson Burnett and Burnett's Motors 1966 Canadian Kenworth L924R hitched together. Burnett's J1 Bedford has done duty as a pilot vehicle.

Part of a penstock for the Manapouri Power Project on a 4 axle low bed transporter with a load divider crossing a bridge on the Wilmot Pass Rd. It is being hauled by the ex-Burnett's Motors International RDF210-H, now with joint venture company, Utah Williamson Burnett and Burnett's Motors 1966 Canadian Kenworth L924R hitched together with the much modified ex-W.W.II Mack NO tractor unit assisting from behind. The Mack was originally a heavy duty petrol engined, bonneted 6x6. Some of the operators of this truck over the years were McJorrow Bros. from Ashburton, Southland based earthmoving contractor, L.D. (Dick) Collis, Roadways N.Z. at Oamaru and Otematata, Burnett's Motors, Ashburton, A.V. Martyn & Co. at Timaru and Burns Transport at Wyndham. Along the way it had the Mack Thermodyne petrol engine replaced with a GM 6.71 2 stroke diesel. It had the driven front axle replaced with a non-driving axle and was converted to a cab over engine configuration by Roadways and fitted with a cab fabricated in Oamaru-(while it resembles an AACO International cab, the only AACO parts are the doors.)

A large piece of electrical equipment on a 4 axle low bed transporter for the Manapouri Power Project being hauled over the Wilmot Pass Road by the ex-Burnett's Motors International RDF210-H, now with joint venture company, Utah Williamson Burnett and Burnett's Motors 1966 Canadian Kenworth L924R hitched together.

A heavy load on the Wilmot Pass Road. Burnett's Motors 1967 International F230D and 1966 Kenworth L924R assisted by a Caterpillar 988 wheel loader are in charge of a large electrical component on a 4 axle lowbed transporter. Both the International and Kenworth were powered by Cummins NH250 naturally aspirated diesel engines, with twin-stick transmissions and heavy duty Timken double reduction rear ends. Notice the concrete ballast on the F230D.

A great picture from the Manapouri Power Project days. Burnett's Motors 1967 International F230D and 1966 Kenworth L924R are hitched to a transporter loaded with a heavy piece of power generation gear and have pulled over to allow 2 other Burnett's trucks, a Dodge T310 6x4 and a Leyland Octopus loaded with large cable drums to pass. A Caterpillar 988 wheel loader is assisting at the rear on this heavy haul.

A great picture from the Manapouri Power Project days. Burnett's Motors 1967 International F230D and 1966 Kenworth L924R are hitched to a transporter loaded with a heavy piece of power generation gear and have pulled over to allow 2 other Burnett's trucks, a Dodge T310 6x4 and a Leyland Octopus loaded with large cable drums to pass. A Caterpillar 988 wheel loader is assisting at the rear on this heavy haul.

Burnett's Motors, Ashburton, Canadian built 1966 Kenworth L924R pulled up alongside a ship at the wharf used during the construction of the Manapouri Power Project.

A great picture from the Manapouri Power Project days. Burnett's Motors' Bedford J1 pilot vehicle leading Burnett's 1967 International F230D and 1966 Kenworth L924R. The heavy haulage trucks are hitched to a transporter loaded with a heavy piece of power generation gear and have pulled over to allow 2 other Burnett's trucks, a Dodge T310 6x4 and a Leyland Octopus loaded with large cable drums to pass.

Burnett's Motors trucks loaded on one of the barges used as transport on Lake Manapouri during the power project. Pictured are their Kenworth L924R, Dodge T310 with Bedford J1 on the deck. The truck behind the Dodge on the transporter appears to be the LAD cab Leyland Octopus.

Part of a penstock for the Manapouri Power Project being hauled over the Wilmot Pass Road by the ex-Burnett's Motors International RDF210-H, now with joint venture company, Utah Williamson Burnett and Burnett's Motors 1966 Canadian Kenworth L924R hitched together.

Westland Transport, Hokitika, 1968 Canadian Kenworth LW924R powered by a naturally aspirated Cummins NH250. Westland Transport used this truck on log haulage and after them it went to Taieri Carrying Company at Mosgiel where it was also used for log cartage. It was new to J.V. Geany at Rotorua and was one of 3 of this model they bought for log haulage. Canadian Kenworths were built in a factory at Burnaby, British Columbia on Canada's west coast.

A Direct Transport, Rotorua, Kenworth C500 taking part in a New Years Eve parade in 1977. Direct Transport operated 2 C500s as well as several Pacific P10 trucks on off-highway logging duties. The C500 Construction series trucks are heavy duty straight frame trucks designed for construction and logging work. By comparison the 900 and W900 series trucks had a frame that dipped at the front to allow a large relatively tall radiator to be fitted without having an unnecessarily tall hood/bonnet.

J.V. Geany, Rotorua, Canadian Kenworth K923R stock unit photographed February 1968. This truck was the first cabover Kenworth in New Zealand, new in 1966 to Geanys at Rotorua. It was powered by a naturally aspirated Cummins NH250 and rode on Page & Page rear suspension. While U.S. built K series cabover Kenworths were K100 series, Canadian built trucks were K900 series at this time. From 1966 to 1971 there were a small number of Canadian K900 series trucks imported with C. Bridgeman at Hastings, Refrigerated Freight Lines, Mike Lambert and N.Z. Lumber Co. at Mt. Maunganui, as well as J.V. Geany taking delivery of them. In 1971 production began at the new Australian Kenworth factory at Bayswater in Victoria and from then on N.Z. customers got Australian K100 series trucks. Note the horizontal exhaust pipe and muffler sitting under the crate.

A Dalhoff & King advertisement for Kenworth trucks touting their versatility. Dalhoff & King were the N.Z. Kenworth agents and assemblers from 1964-65 until the early 1980s when they went out of business. As well as KW, they also sold Volvo trucks, NCK and Koehring cranes and excavators, Champion motor graders, John Deere tractors and farm machinery, Weatherill front end loaders and Timberjack log skidders among other brands. Notice that the truck pictured is a left hand drive Canadian K900 series.

Probably the most famous Kenworth truck in New Zealand trucking history, this 1973 wide grille LW924R model was new to Mike Lambert of Mt. Maunganui. It was one of only two trucks, (both Kenworths-the other was another wide grille LW924R delivered new to Mike Lambert in 1977) to be powered by a Detroit Diesel 12V71N engine of around 456-475 horsepower. This truck became known as Concorde and is pictured here in the livery of second owner Alf Quaife who had driven the truck when employed by Mike Lambert. Concorde subsequently went through several other owners, even spending some time in the South Island when owned by George Wallis of Wanaka and today survives in preservation with Barry Caulfield of Whakatane. In 1973 when Concorde was new, it boasted well over 100 horsepower more than any other road going truck in New Zealand-the next most powerful engine available in a Kenworth at the time was a Cummins NTC335. Of the other American brands available Mack was offering a 237 horsepower 6 cylinder and a 325 horsepower V8 and International converted a handful of Fleetstar F2010-A series V8 petrol powered trucks to diesels with Cummins NH250 power. Of the British brands offering U.S. running gear, Leyland/Scammell had the Crusader with the Detroit Diesel 8V71N at 290 and 318 horsepower and an MW cab ERF had a Cummins NHK250 or NTK310 engine.