Kenworth Trucks: Classic Restos - Series 56

Fletch devotes this week's episode to the history of Kenworth in Australia and the memorable stories that Classic Restos has featured over the years with Kenworth.

In 1962, Edwin Cameron and George Bloomfield introduced Kenworth to Australia by purchasing seven 'S' Model Kenworth trucks built to Australian to their Australian specifications Fletch features an interview with Ed Cameron during the 50th Anniversary of Kenworth in Australia in 2012, delving into the origins of Kenworth's presence in the country. Kenworth identified the potential in the Australian market and commenced local production of Kenworth trucks in 1970.

Fletch takes a trip down memory lane to when he visited the Kenworth Dealers Hall of Fame Museum in Alice Springs. The museum features an 11,000-square-foot exhibition dedicated to the history of Australian-designed and built Kenworth trucks and the supporting dealer network. Fletch highlights one truck in particular: the K125R, known to truck die-hearts as the Grey Ghost, the first Kenworth designed and built in Australia.

A significant player in Kenworth's history in Australia is Brown & Hurley, the first dealer for Kenworth in the country. Jim Hurley, son of the late Jack Hurley, shares the company's beginnings in 1946, well before Kenworth's entry into the market. Jack and his business partner Jim Brown, both ex-army personnel, started with a small automotive repair shop. They soon realised the potential of truck sales and pivoted to selling trucks rather than focusing on automotive repairs. Before Kenworth entered the market, they already had a wide range of English and European trucks in their inventory. Appointed as the Australian Kenworth dealer in 1964, they have since established a long and proud history with Kenworth, currently employing over 400 staff dedicated to sales, service, and repair work, including restoration projects. Their dedication to Kenworth is truly inspiring.

Finally, Fletch revisits his time with Justin Klos, and his brother Turk, who specialise in custom-built trucks. Specifically rejuvenating older Kenworths to give them a new lease on life. Their interest in custom truck building was sparked during a visit to the US, where they were inspired by the custom work of American truck builders, motivating them to take it on back in Australia. Fletch checks out two of their unique custom builds.

[michaelguerin]

Thank you Fletch. Great to revisit some of your best episodes and hear those people again. The Kenworth commercial is a work of art. Cheers from NZ🇳🇿.

[iandibley]

G'day Fletch, a great episode, so much interesting information. Those guys in early days certainly started a legacy to be justly proud of.

[Warehouse_Life]

Awesome episode. Loved the Kenworth advertisement

[australiantruckspotting]

There’s some absolute beauties there 👍

[adriandehoon]

Great episode once again, Fletch. I remember the kenworth factory down the road from ower wrecking yard ( A&A car wreckers) on Canterbury Rd in the 70s and my uncle Ari worked there for I think 15yr started as a welder made his way up the ladder and even delivered one to Kyogle a long time ago 👍👍👍

[tonez]

Good on ya Fletch, absolutely love your trucking episodes 👌🏼 And much appreciation to the truckies, got me rooted how you blokes do it 👍🏻

[jaisabai]

A great episode Fletch, with (for me) lots of new information. 👍

[lawrencegatt]

❤ thanks for a wonderful video mate 🏁🇦🇺🇲🇹

[phatridesgarage]

Great Episode Fletch, really enjoyed it !

[turtleboy]

Absolutely beautiful, the entire episode was just awesome. Thank you so much 👍🏼

[glennwoods]

Without Fletch, we wouldn't know half of what's going on...be it trucks, cars or
Onya Fletch....
love your work, Digger

[jimclarke]

Thanks for the lesson Fletch, never knew KW built trucks in Australia✌

[JoeHupp]

Without Ed Cameron, there would be no Kenworth trucks in Australia!

[donaldhollums]

A great episode, Mr. Fletch. I’ve always been a Peterbilt fan and am thankful I was able to drive one for a while, but that’s just me. It is fascinating what Kenworth was able to do to get firmly established Down Yonder there. Y’all Large Car drivers down there keep it between the ditches.
Hey, Mr. Fletch you and Mr. Justin will never see eye to eye on anything will ya?!😅

[Fullnoise]

Thanks Fletch for putting this compilation together.

[The_Aussie_Truckie]

Mate it's been a few years you need to bring back classic restoration trucks edition

[TheShovel]

Hi Fletch just seen the video and the bit on the Klos brothers, you should do a more current version on them with what they are doing, yours Ledgend.

[larrydowling]

lets hear about more people who own trucks FROM THE PAST
e.g ABOODS TRANSPORT
MAX KEOGH T/P
SYDNEY MOUNT ISA TRANSPORT
AND MORE
YELLOW EXPRESS
AND MORE

[CharlieMcKeown-rm]

Seems to me we built several cab over KW’s in the Quebec plant in the early 70’s. I remember there was problems because of right hand steering. I’m about sure they were shipped to Australia.

[nzsaltflatsracer]

13:33 "an N60 Detroit" is an injector number for a 71 series so I presume it had a 6V-71 or an 8V-71 engine.