[cvwiggs]

A little further information on pre-1990 Newell VIN/Serial Numbers:

From 1980 through 1989, Newell used the 1N9 VIN numbers. The 10th digit is a code for the year with 1980 being an A. The last two digits of the VIN is the sequence number for that year so a VIN  So the 7th Newell built in 1983 would have a D as the 10th digit and end in 07.

From 1974 through 1979, Newell used a VIN that typically started with 3000RE or 3500RE and ended with several numbers and a letter. I originally thought the letter at the end was used to designate the year but there seem to be inconsistencies in this theory. For example, I have seen 1979's ending in M and N, 1978's ending with L and M, 1974's ending in G and H.

Prior to 1974, the Serial Number (rather than VIN) makes no sense at all to me although I understand that only one long time retired employee from Newell that worked in the office was able to decode those numbers.

So here's how the info on mine appears.