Kenworth has been celebrating a century of KWs — although the business actually traces back to 915. The anniversary marks the 1923 introduction of the Kenworth nameplate (which in its original form was Ken-Worth).
To the uninitiated — and even in the case of a centennial refresh to enhance aerodynamics — it's not always easy to tell whether a Kenworth is a classic old timer, a model from a recent generation or current production. Which is hardly surprising, given Kenworth's philosophy of incremental product development.
Operators like a KW to look like a KW; regardless of its era. Take for example the owner-driver K100 Class 8 cab-over-engine Kenworths that used to bestride the US Interstates. With two COE predecessors, there were only three models over the space of six decades. That underlines the marque's 'if it ain't broke, don't fix it' business approach.
Kenworth was born out of the Gerlinger Motor Car Company, a Seattle car and truck dealer. The first truck was unveiled in 1915 and given the name Gersix, reflecting the installation of a six-cylinder Continental engine at a time in the US when fours were prevalent. Its design was well suited to the mountainous, high rainfall conditions of the Pacific Northwest which, before the advent of tarmac highways, were more suited to mule team and horse drawn transport.
In 1917, the business changed hands and was renamed the Gersix Motor
