'71 Newell in Alaska

[Merczilla]

We recently purchased a 1971 Newell here in Alaska. It had most recently been in Fairbanks and had mods done to hook up to "permanent" sources (water, electric, etc.). We're working on putting back to "normal" and cleaning it up. Has the Ford gas engine (forgot the number) and the Allison automatic. Will be re-doing the curtains and reupholstering the seats/couch this week. Yes, doing it ourselves.

Hubby is working on the electrical/lighting/air systems. They had heat tape or something wrapped around some lines underneath and it caught fire. They must have caught it quickly, but there is still some melted/burned up lines underneath. Someone also painted the gold aluminum with some grey paint...ugh. Don't know why they did that.

Have not found that durn safe, either. We hope to take a test run maybe next week to see how she does. We also need to replace the hitch and the spare tire mount is missing. Anyone have a photo of how that looks/operates for a '71? There's a dearth of photos on the Internet.

[encantotom]

howdy and welcome to the forum. sounds like quite a project. if you have not, go onto the gallery part of the site and there are a number of pictures of that year and earlier and after to look at.

we are mostly do it yourselfers, so we know enough to be dangerous. but i am not sure if there are many that have done ones that old. jimmy restored a 78 recently.

just post questions and people will do their best to help. we kinda like to know names rather than usernames....up to you though

tom

[Neweller]

Welcome our new members from Alaska! Glad you came on board and are ready to put some personal elbow grease into a real classic.

If you haven't already noticed, there is a ton of information and help here. Tom, one of the site moderators is a wealth of information as with many others around here.

I too have worked on a couple of older Newell's including another go around with a '78. Recently started re-upholstering the booth, which is almost done. I will start a new thread under the "Interior Works" section of my project and will include some photo's of the before, during and after.

Don't forget to take plenty of pictures of your project.

Ken W.