For Kenworth Australia, 1987 was a pinnacle year with the release of both the T600 and T650. The rugged design parameters of the T650 were quickly realised by the logging fraternity here in New Zealand, and multiples of the model immediately started entering service for operators from the Cape to Bluff.

Looking to replace an older 300hp R-model Mack in 1991, Rotorua-based Bruce Honeycombe could see that a T650 would suit his longs application. “I ordered the T650 through an old workmate, Tom Kerr, from my days at Domtrac. Ordering from Kenworth, they gave you a sketch of the cab so you could lay out your stripes. I based it on similar designs I had seen in Aussie. I also chose the colour combination, so when it arrived, it was set to go straight to the signwriters and have the name and pinstripes added.

“I had served my time as a diesel mechanic on Cummins engines, so having it built with a new 444 at the time was an easy decision, with a 15-speed Roadranger. It was a great engine, but we did have an issue early on where it collapsed a piston, but from memory that was all sorted out for us under warranty. So yeah, a damn good truck really,” says Bruce.

About four years later, Bruce had the T650 advertised for sale, and it was here that Awesome & Some, as it is affectionately known, made its way south into the JB Ware & Sons fleet of Longburn, near Palmerston North. Chatting to John Ware, we learn that the truck is practically a two-owner vehicle and that it is still at the coalface working daily.

“I saw it advertised for sale and I showed Dad (Bill Ware). Next thing Dad is telling me to fly to Rotorua, as there is a truck to pick up and drive home. I got to Rotorua, caught a cab to this address, and here is Bruce with the T650. I tell ya, I felt like I was King Kong driving it back home, such a cool truck,” says John. Upon arrival in Longburn, Bill had the T650 shortened into a tractor unit for its new vocation in heavy haulage. It ran for Bill in his fleet for seven years, at which time John and his wife Tina purchased it from Bill as they set up JP Ware Transport, specialising in heavy haul.

“It has been a really solid truck for us, and so simple to work on, no silly electronics to give trouble. The only real issues, a gearbox in April 2004, then an engine rebuild in June 2004, and a diff in 2007. We also had a near miss just recently. I had just loaded a machine, it was sitting idling, I popped it into reverse, eased the clutch, and bang! I thought, ‘What the heck was that?’ So off it went to Cummins, and we found that it had dropped a cam follower. It bounced off a crankshaft counterweight and dropped into the sump. Real lucky it was at idle, if I had been at speed it could have been Chernobyl!” says John with a laugh.

“It has a lot of history with us now, the best part of 30 years, so I can’t see it going anywhere any time soon. It will be with us for quite some time yet I reckon.