Photo credit: Kenworth
Kenworth sends off a trucking legend with style, grit, and just the right amount of chrome.
If trucks could talk, the Kenworth W900 would have the deepest voice, the best stories, and enough swagger to make movie stars jealous. First introduced back in 1961, this long-hood, chrome-loving beast became more than a truck—it became an American icon. After over 280,000 units sold, Kenworth is giving it the send-off it deserves with the W900 Legacy Edition, a limited-run tribute capped at just 1,000 units.
This isn’t just a fancy facelift with some commemorative badging. It’s a rolling love letter to the past six decades of trucking. Kenworth officially unveiled the Legacy Edition at the 2025 Mid-America Trucking Show in Louisville, Kentucky, where chrome met nostalgia—and everyone in the room knew history was being made.
Only 1,000 Built—Each One a Collector’s Dream
The W900 Legacy Edition is no ordinary truck. With only 1,000 being built, each unit will feature an exclusive glovebox-mounted serial badge, counting down from 1000 to 0001. That detail alone makes this edition a true collector’s item. But it doesn’t stop there.
Under the hood, this beauty packs a Cummins X15 engine. More importantly, it’s coated in legacy Cummins beige, a color choice made specifically for this edition. It’s a throwback to classic Cummins muscle, dressed to impress.
According to Kevin Haygood, Kenworth’s assistant general manager for sales and marketing, the truck is more than a build—it’s a tribute.
“Our W900 Legacy Edition is a way to celebrate the history and importance of the truck model with our customers.”
In other words, it’s for the die-hards—the ones who’ve lived in W900s, built businesses with them, and maybe even taught their kids how to shift gears in one.
Classic on the Outside, Premium on the Inside
From the outside, the Legacy Edition has unmistakable presence. Yet it’s the inside that tells the real story. The cabin options include:
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Extended Day Cab
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72” Flat Top Sleeper
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86” Studio Sleeper
Step in, and you’re greeted with Black Diamond VIT upholstery, paired with platinum accent stitching. The dash and doors? Finished in Ravenwood trim, giving the interior a rich, sophisticated look. Meanwhile, sleeper units are wrapped in vintage tuck-and-roll leather, delivering a lounge feel that could rival a high-end cigar bar.
As a final touch, throwback Kenworth logos adorn the headrests and trim, while the iconic 1966-style hood badge anchors the truck in its deep roots. It’s heritage you can feel—right from the driver’s seat.
Design that Echoes the Past
Kenworth didn’t stop at a nostalgic name or interior stitching. The W900 Legacy Edition brings back some of the most beloved paint schemes from earlier special edition models. It’s a visual tribute to the W900’s long, decorated journey—making it feel like the past has been polished and fired up for one last haul.
With its long hood, commanding stance, and confident chrome accents, this truck doesn’t whisper “collector’s item.” It shouts it—loud enough to turn heads at every truck stop in the country.
A Trucking Legacy Like No Other
To understand the hype, you’ve got to understand the history. The W900 isn’t just a truck; it’s a part of North American trucking DNA. Since its launch in 1961, the W900 has been the go-to for drivers who value looks, power, and personality.
It’s won more show trophies than we can count. It’s starred in movies like Smokey and the Bandit and Licence to Kill. And yes—it’s probably outrun a few Smokeys in real life too.
Over the years, Kenworth has released several special editions, including:
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The 1976 VIT (Very Important Trucker) Edition, marking the U.S. Bicentennial.
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The 1989 007 Edition, commemorating its appearance in Licence to Kill with gold-trimmed flair.
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The 2015 ICON900, a chrome-heavy tribute that had showrooms buzzing.
The Legacy Edition, however, is the final chapter—and it’s written in bold.
Why Say Goodbye? Emissions, Evolution, and the Future
So, why now? Why retire a model that’s still loved by so many?
It boils down to change. With evolving emission regulations and component supply limitations, keeping the W900 on the line just isn’t practical anymore. Modern trucks must meet stricter environmental and safety standards. And unfortunately, the W900’s platform just isn’t built for those new systems.
“It’s bittersweet,” Haygood said, echoing the feelings of truckers nationwide. “The W900 has been with so many drivers through the ups and downs of their careers. It’s not just a tool—it’s a part of their legacy.”
At Eclipse DOT, we hear stories every week from drivers who still remember their first trip behind a W9’s wheel. It’s personal. And this farewell hits different.
Meet the W990: The Heir to the Throne
But don’t hang up your boots just yet. The spirit of the W900 lives on in its successor—the Kenworth W990.
Built to honor traditional long-hood styling, the W990 is wider, more aerodynamic, and fully equipped for next-generation emissions standards. It also includes driver assistance tech and customizable configurations that make it a worthy torchbearer.
While it’ll never replace the W900 in our hearts, it’s ready to carry the legacy down the road—legally and efficiently.
A Community Mourns—and Celebrates
Since the announcement, W900 fans have taken to social media to share their stories. Some are reminiscing about their first haul. Others are posting family photos with their trucks, passing down stories of how the W9 helped build their business—or kept it afloat during tough times.
Several industry influencers and veteran drivers have already pre-ordered the Legacy Edition. And truck shows across the country are gearing up to feature this last model in honor of its final run.
This isn’t just nostalgia. It’s pride. It’s a celebration of everything this truck has stood for.
If You Own One—Protect It Like the Classic It Is
Whether you’ve got a Legacy Edition on order, or you’ve been running W900s for years, now’s the time to double down on care.
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Keep it compliant
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Stay up to date on your inspections
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And if you need help navigating the growing maze of DOT rules, give Eclipse DOT a shout
We’ll help you keep that rig legal, safe, and ready for the next 500,000 miles. Because when you’re driving a piece of history, you don’t park it—you honor it.
The Final Mile for a True Legend
The W900 Legacy Edition isn’t just Kenworth’s final nod to a classic—it’s a gift to the drivers, fleet owners, and dreamers who helped make it an icon.
With only 1,000 units being produced, it’s more than a truck—it’s a statement. It tells the world, “I was part of something special.” And for the rest of us? It’s a reminder that true legends don’t fade—they roll on.
So whether you’re adding one to your fleet or just admiring from afar, one thing’s clear:
The W900 isn’t gone. It’s just shifting into legacy mode.
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