It's a Start...

[jwe648]

I am now the Proud Owner of a Newell Classic 74' that is.
The coach is fairly straight. I have a plan!? It will be interesting and hopefully the end results will be rewarding. My wife said I looked bored and needed a winter project (we don't really have winter, but anyway) I drove it home so .. that is a good thing. Projected completion date next spring.
I see a lot of good info, hopefully I will be able to draw from it!
Regards...

Added a few more photos ...

[zcasa]

Congratulations. You will have a lot of fun. Keep us posted as to your progress with pictures and updates.

[fulltiming]

Welcome jwe. Looks like you have a great starting point. We look forward to sharing your restoration details. Did this happen to be either the 35' with the Cat engine that was at Camping World in Mesa earlier this summer or 38' for sale in Yuma last winter?

[HoosierDaddy]

Yep..,,,this project will cure the boredom!!! Tell us more....about the drive train, generator etc!
BTW, I saw a similar vintage Newell go by our house today...Still lookin' great!
Good luck,
Dean

[Richard and Rhonda]

Welcome to the forum.

Tell us how you found the coach, if you had been lurking on the forum for a while, why a classic Newell. We love to hear about the new members.

[chockwald]

Cool....another classic! Look forward to seeing pictures of the interior, and the work in progress! We are always interested in how you found the coach, and why you chose a Newell....of course we all agree with your choice.

Of course, you have a wonderful resource in Tom McCloud (Mesa, AZ).

[jwe648]

Welcome jwe. Looks like you have a great starting point. We look forward to sharing your restoration details. Did this happen to be either the 35' with the Cat engine that was at Camping World in Mesa earlier this summer or 38' for sale in Yuma last winter?

Somehow this Coach made it's way from Texas to Mesa. I started going thru the systems this weekend. It has a few issues that I will address before taking care of the interior needs.. Most of the systems work some are issues from the previous owner making mods that will need to be restored back. The fresh water tank, holding tank and inverters have been replaced as well as all (10) 8D batteries... The tires are near new.

My challanges will be to find a right windshield and a right rear marker light which appears to be simmuliar to the old Peterbuilt light. It still has the Electric Heaters and Furnace as well as some sort of engine heaters.

Both AC's are cold which is good in AZ.

It would be nice if I had a coach manual so I could tell what is what. i do have the engine and transmission books as welll as the Onan NH manual.

The previous owner was nice enough to take notes and diagrams for the wiring.. A Good Thing!!

[chockwald]

Which diesel does it have (CAT, Cummins, Detroit)??

Steve Ward (Prarieschooner) had to replace his windshields on his '82, which appear similar to yours. He purchased his coach in Yuma, AZ, and had the windshields replaced locally. Send him a personal message and he can disclose his soure. Post a picture of the right rear marker light.....I may have a source for that.

Also, let me know what type of gas furnaces, electric heaters you have.....I may have manuals for them. I was blessed to receive a full Newell manual with mine, and I think Steve Ward did, too. Also, let me know your other applicances and I'll check my manual to see if I have owner documentation for them.

[HoosierDaddy]

When I needed windshields for my '78 they were available right from Newell at a competitive price. They shipped them directly to my local installer.

[encantotom]

howdy, i private messaged you my contact info. hopefully you are close to me in mesa.

give me a call and come on by.

tom

[jwe648]

Some of was interested in the specs on my 74' project. The details as follows:


Length 35' 8" wide" 10'+ high, weight approx. 24,000 lbs, 120,000 miles

BODY: All natural aluminum w/ brown'\ tan paint stripes, gold trim, & white roof, Bullet Clearance Lights, Air Horn, 2 Spotlights, back-up camera

RUNNING GEAR: Ford front end w/ leaf springs, Rockwell rear w/duals, air bags, air brakes & 9.00 x 20 tires

POWER: Caterpillar 1160 V-8, normally aspirated diesel engine, 636 cu. in.,225 hp., 500 ft lbs. torque

TRANS~ Allison automatic 6 speed Transmission (3 x 2 gears) w/ retarded

GEN: Onan NH 6.5 KW gasoline generator

INVERTERS: 2 - 2000 w. freedom inverters / chargers

BATTERIES: 6 – 8D engine batteries & 2 – 6D batteries.

TANKS: 130 gal diesel, stainless steel 100 gal water, 95 gal holding tank,
40 gal & 8 gal propane & 55 gal gasoline generator tank

HEATING: 30,000 btu Suburban propane forced hot air, plus 3 electric units w /thermostats

AC. Equip.: 2 Coleman roof units. 15.000 btu. front & 12,000 btu. energy-saver rear

APPLIANCES: propane 8 gal. Hot Water heater, propane 4 burner stove w/ oven
110-v 11cf residential style refrigerator-freezer & 110 v. microwave oven

LAYOUT: electric driver & copilot chairs, 2' swivel barrel chairs w/ fold-out dining table between

¾ sofa bedopposite center door; L-shaped kitchen, double ss sink, full shower in bathroom

Bed room w/closet & drawers unit, queen sized bed, vanity table & 2 shirt closets

2000 miles ago ....
Rebuilt lower end of Cat. diesel engine, new ,bearings & cap bolts. New drive shaft & coupling.
Rebuilt rear axle & deferential.
New front & rear brake shoes.

I have gone thru the Onan runs great. Pulled the water tank and repalced the flooring will finish up the plumbing this weekend now that the temps are beow 100..
more later....