However, when the opportunity to own a Kenworth SAR Legend, Corey Burnett’s, (MD of Burnett’s Transport and Earthmoving) heart took over and he jumped at the chance. So, we have to ask, why does he keep it locked up in the shed?

Corey’s story, spanning 25 years in the industry, is highlighted in the acquisition and meticulous preservation of his Kenworth SAR Legend, but before we explore that, let’s start with Corey himself.

His journey into the trucking world began not with a grand plan, but with the hands-on experience of an apprentice. He honed his skills working for various companies, including Stokes and Jackson Road Haul. And it was Gary Caldicott at Jacksons who facilitated his first foray into truck ownership, selling him a CW340 Nissan, Type 37 truck and trailer.

With this solitary vehicle, Burnett’s Transport and Earthmoving was born, initially focusing on rural and local farm work. Over the next two and a half decades, the business steadily grew, expanding its fleet and venturing into earthmoving a few years after its inception. Today, the company operates a diverse fleet, including around five truck-and-trailer units, several six-wheelers, and a couple of artics, a far cry from that initial single truck.

The evolution of Burnett’s fleet also saw a significant shift in brand loyalty. While the early days were dominated by Japanese manufacturers like Mitsubishi and Nissan, a clear preference for Kenworth emerged. Corey explains this transition with pragmatic reasoning.

“Kenworths are more reliable, and better longevity with the help of a broad backup network from Southpac that gives confidence in the brand,” he says.

“Beyond their robust build, parts are readily available, and mechanics find them easier to work on compared to their European counterparts, [which often come with more restrictive maintenance protocols].”

This operational efficiency couples with the undeniable allure of the Kenworth badge for drivers. “Everyone wants to drive a Kenworth, right?” solidifies their position as the predominant brand for Burnett’s main truck-and-trailer operations. However, a few Nissans and a Hino remain in the fleet, reserved for the “tighter jobs” and smaller, more intricate tasks where their compact size is an advantage.

The pinnacle of Corey’s Kenworth passion, however, is undoubtedly his SAR Legend. A long-time enthusiast, he harboured a deep admiration for the brand, a sentiment cultivated since his youth spent “riding around in trucks and working for Stokes.”

“At the time, I didn’t have the money to get a Legend 900/950, but I ended up getting a 900 Classic, which I used to do some servicing and relief work on at Stokes. So that ticked that box. And when the opportunity came to get an SAR, I ordered that and a 659 on the same day,” says Corey.

The opportunity to acquire a SAR Legend was a box ticked, albeit one that required patience. Corey placed the order for his SAR Legend and a 659 on the same day, albeit submitting the necessary paperwork to Mitch Redington just before the official order day. 

The wait was substantial (approximately four years), but it didn’t faze Corey.

“It didn’t worry me because we didn’t have anything lined up for it and we still don’t,” he recounts, a statement that hints at the truck’s unique role in his collection. The SAR Legend was finally registered in early 2025, a significant milestone for the company, despite its modest size.

What makes Corey’s SAR Legend truly distinctive is its deliberate retro customisation. Eschewing modern aesthetics, he ordered the truck to retain the classic look of the late 1970s and early 1980s. This commitment to authenticity is evident in every detail, for example, artillery wheels replace contemporary alloys, and a flat roof sleeper harks back to the original models. The interior, too, reflects Corey’s personal taste, featuring the rich red oxblood trim that is a signature across his fleet.

While the exterior and interior boast a vintage charm, the underlying mechanics are thoroughly modern. The SAR Legend shares its running gear with the 659, featuring a Cummins engine with a 550-horsepower output and a 20-series gearbox, offering the “best of both worlds”, classic aesthetics paired with contemporary performance and reliability.

The meticulous paintwork, the company’s distinctive red, was handled by the factory, while Bradley Marsh from Tauranga took charge of the chassis plates, stainless work, and tank and lights, ensuring every detail contributed to the truck’s unique character.

Despite its impressive specifications and bespoke design, the SAR Legend currently resides in a shed, as an “ornament” (at the moment) with fewer than a thousand kilometres on its odometer.

It sits alongside a rebuilt 900 Classic, another cherished piece of Corey’s collection. This “ornament” status is a conscious decision. Corey has no immediate plans to put it into active service, primarily because he hasn’t got a suitable job that aligns with his desire to preserve its pristine condition. He’s unwilling to subject it to the harsh realities of quarry work or forestry, environments that would quickly “deteriorate” its immaculate finish. 

Corey says he’s up to taking the SAR Legend to shows, and he’s open to putting it to work if a “suitable, gentle customer opportunity arises,” but for now, it remains a symbol of his passion rather than a tool of his trade.

From an investment perspective, Corey is pragmatic. While acknowledging the significant outlay, he’s unsure if the SAR Legend will appreciate in value to the same extent as older, rarer models like the Legend 900 and 950, given the higher production numbers of the SAR series. He notes that the older 900s are currently “more sought after” due to their scarcity.

Corey’s appreciation for Kenworths extends beyond the SAR Legend to the broader legacy of classic models. He reveres the “old traditional look, the old classic retro look” of SARs and W models from the 70s and 80s, considering them the “backbone of the trucking industry” in Australia and New Zealand. He admires their “robust Look and design” and, crucially, their proven durability.

“You still see these old girls still working now,” he says, doubting that the modern European brands can match the longevity. This blend of timeless design and unwavering resilience is what truly captivates him.

In essence, Corey’s Kenworth SAR Legend is a tangible expression of a lifelong passion. It embodies the spirit of Burnett’s Transport and Earthmoving; a business built on hard work and a deep respect for the tools of the trade. 

While it may currently be (according to Corey), a “bloody expensive ornament,” its existence speaks volumes about his dedication to trucking heritage, his discerning eye for classic aesthetics, and his commitment to preserving a piece of the industry’s soul.

It’s a truck that marries the best of both worlds: the iconic, durable look of the past with the reliable technology of the present, standing as a proud, albeit stationary, monument to a true Kenworth enthusiast.