[Guy]

The sequence number in 1984 was the last two digits of the VIN as opposed to the coach number.  Sequence number was not the same as the coach number in the 1980's. As I recall, your coach is sequence number 18 (please let me know if that is incorrect). I think that there were 37 coaches built in 1984. The coach numbering system began in 1983. However, I am not sure if it included ALL 1983's. That is the reason I have been hoping for someone with a 1983 or 1984 to find evidence of their coach number. I do have a known baseline in 1986 where the shop drawings show both the VIN and the coach number (sequence number 31, coach #113). Since I can't absolutely confirm the years prior to 1986, I have been using the sequence number which is tied directly to the VIN and is therefore indisputable. That should make the first 1986 (VIN ending in 01) coach #83.

I urge anyone with a 1983, 1984 or 1985 Newell that has a shop drawing with the coach # on it to PLEASE contact me. I would love to see documentation and add clarity to my database for those years.

yes, # 59 is vin 18
Thank for being the resident historian.
This gives me a headache