Cars

This semi was built to break land-speed records and it's cool while doing it

  • A custom Australian semi-truck has become a world record holder
  • The Kewnworth truck has a turbocharged dump truck engine
  • Its owner plans to go even faster with the truck in the future

Published on May 18, 2025 at 6:28 PM (UTC+4)
by Henry Kelsall

Last updated on May 15, 2025 at 1:30 PM (UTC+4)
Edited by Tom Wood

This remarkable Australian semi-truck has been built to break top speed records, and looks cool while doing it.

The truck is the brainchild of Australian speed freak and record breaker Rob Waters, who gave it the name ‘The Prospector.’

It was built specifically for salt flats and record-breaking, and it’s unlike nearly any other truck in existence.

Thanks to a dump truck engine, a custom frame, and other upgrades, this wild truck has been able to reach some crazy top speeds.

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A video from the Road Boss TV channel showcases the truck and what makes it so good.

To get the power for his truck, Waters took the engine out of a dump truck.

He then placed it into the custom Kenworth truck.

The engine is a 13-liter Caterpillar diesel inline-six powertrain, yanked right out of a dump truck.

Waters mounted the engine behind the cab of the Kenworth, which now sits on top of a brand-new custom frame.

The Australian also stretched the frame out and added a new, lighter fiberglass hood.

This semi-truck was built to break land-speed records and it's cool while doing it
ROADBOSS TV

That is also stretched and is much longer than the Kenworth’s original hood.

While it looks good, the new hood design is also for aerodynamic purposes.

This is to help the truck cut through the air as efficiently as possible.

As well as the inline-six, the Prospector has an 88-millimeter BorgWarner S500SX turbo.

That huge turbocharger gives the semi-truck around 40-60lbs of boost, helping it along to its top speed.

Speaking of top speeds, Waters has been able to get his truck to a speed of 142mph.

That has made him and his truck the holder of the Australian modified diesel top speed record.

What makes the truck even more impressive is that Waters was able to build it in just five months.

The YouTube video showcases the truck in action, with its chrome exhaust pipe belching out smoke until it starts to spool up.

Waters has high hopes for his truck, hoping to eventually crack 150mph and then ultimately 160mph.

Should he be able to do so, he might put the Kenworth record out of reach for everyone else in Australia.

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Henry joined the Supercar Blondie team in February 2025, and since then has covered a wide array of topics ranging from EVs, American barn finds, and the odd Cold War jet. He’s combined his passion for cars with his keen interest in motorsport and his side hustle as a volunteer steam locomotive fireman at a leading heritage steam railway in England.