Question about the constuction of late 70's Newell's

[blakestar]

Having purchased a 1979 Newell I have had a few comments from fellow rv'ers on "what a neat bus conversion it is!".

This got me thinking however, I am not certain that the coach was a former "bus". Am I wrong in my thinking that the coach bodies were also custom built by The Newell Corp.? What about the Chassis?

Any clarification is appreciated!

[chockwald]

You are right.....it has always been a motorcoach. All Newells are built from the ground up, including the chassis, by Newell....no conversions whatsoever.

[HoosierDaddy]

There is some good information on the construction process at:

www.newellcoach.com

The basic technique hasn't changed!

[fulltiming]

A little history and clarification. While the answer that Newell builds the entire coach, including the chassis is true in most cases, it is not a universal truth.

The predecessor to Newell was Streamline Travel Homes which began production in 1964. They used Ford gasoline engines on a one ton Ford truck chassis. L.K. Newell purchased one of these units in 1967, had multiple suggestions for modifications and ended up purchasing the motorhome division from Streamline in 1967. He built a few Newells using the same chassis and engine as Streamline had used during the late 1960's so there were a few of the original Newells that used a truck chassis. Newell preferred a rear engine configuration so he built his first in 1969 using a Madison bus chassis with a rear gasoline engine.

In 1970, Newell designed his first custom chassis for a rear engine pusher motorhome. This used the famous welded steel bridge truss chassis that he designed that continues on today. These were originally powered by gasoline engines.

So, the answer to your question is: 'look at the chassis'. If it is a welded steel bridge truss design, it was designed and constructed by Newell. If not, it may be a purchased truck or bus chassis. Newell built his first rear engine diesel pusher in 1972 using his own chassis. A few coaches Newell built after that were front engine gasoline but Newell's change to rear engine diesel motorhomes was quick after the introduction of the rear engine diesel pusher on the the custom Newell chassis.

A 1971 would be one of the last gasoline powered motorhomes Newell made (a few 1972 and 1973 models also exist). Your 1979 would definitely have a body AND chassis designed and constructed by Newell.