[Fulltiming]

Jon, typically Newells evolved. In the late 60's and early 70's Newells were front engine gasoline powered. In 1969 L.K. Newell built his first rear gasoline engine coach using a Madsen school bus chassis. In 1970, L.K. built his own rear engine chassis. 1972 was the first year Newell built a coach with a rear diesel engine at the insistence of Al White, who continued to buy and own Newells for 35 years. Newell continued to make front engine coaches until 1976 although most were rear engine. The Newell rear engine chassis allowed taller bays, flatter floors inside and served the company well by allowing flexibility in interior layout and would be a tremendous benefit when slides were introduced over a decade later. The front engine Newells had generators toward the rear. The rear engine Newells have generators located in or toward the front. The coaches started out with leaf springs and the added supplemental air. The extra weight of the rear engine hanging off the back and especially with the introduction of diesel engines started a movement toward increased use of air and through time, the leaf springs were eliminated. I do not know when the first Newell with full air suspension was made. Since so many of the old generators have been replaced, I have no records to indicate the change over from gasoline to diesel but I suspect that change was in response to the increased percentage of diesel engines driving Newell to start using diesel generators. 1973 was a transitional year with both front and rear engine chassis available. Since 1977 all Newells have had rear diesel engines.