The Kenwood TS440 started out in the 80s. 1986 was the year of introduction in the US.
The TS450 replaced it in 1991. Which means it was nowhere near built in 1999.
The TS440 was my dream rig when I was in school. I'd go to the library and drool over 73, CQ and QST ads for the radio. Finally found one in the late 90s and snapped it up. Was sold as broken (so cheap). Found the crappy SO239 had come loose, so the guy had pulled the piece of wire out of the PC board to the SO239. Easy fix, still have the radio, although extensively modified for AM use now.
--Shane
WP2ASS / ex KD6VXI