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Wednesday, February 28, 2007 · Page 19 Mike Thibodeau's 1964 Corvair Monza Spyder Mike Thibodeau is the editor of the Leamington Post. He has fond memories of his 1964 Corvair Monza Spyder coupe: "Several years ago, I was watching a television program that featured a car buff wandering through an auto junkyard. He commented on various wrecks and rusted hulks and then stopped at a 1964 Corvair Monza Spyder that had seen better days. His comment about the car focused on the dash, calling it one of the most unique and best instrument layouts ever designed. Yes...a viewpoint I reached 30 years ago was finally supported by someone else. "After I married in 1968, my 1962 MGA no longer served as a family car, but a 1964 Spyder I spotted on a car lot in Pembroke, Ont., would do nicely. I bought it and never regretted it. The two main gauges, a tach and speedometer, were surrounded by smaller ones for oil pressure, turbo boost pressure, cylinder head temperature, and alternator. "Driving in those eastern Ontario winters, the Spyder was perfect with its fourspeed manual. The rear engine provided the perfect weight for traction. And just as vital, the air-cooled engine heated rapidly, sending warm air into the passenger compartment through vents under the rear seat. "The Spyder was sporty and would fly, not off the line but up through second, third, and fourth gears. As the boost pressure rose, the turbo started to give off a low-pitched howl with the rising rpm's. "Ralph Nader killed GM's Corvair, but over the years I have concluded that it was a vehicle suited almost perfectly for winter conditions in most of Canada, then and today." The Big Three entered the compact car market simultaneously in 1960. Ford the Falcon, launched Chrysler brought out the Valiant, and General Motors, in a daring move, announced the Corvair with an aircooled, horizontally opposed six cylinder engine mounted in the rear. The Corvair Monza had a fancy interior, bucket seats, and an optional four-speed floorshift, and immediately appealed to the young and young-at-heart. Cashing in on the youth market (and no downs with other teams only getting a few shots on net in the entire game. The Ravens knew they were in for a tough game and the Stars were quick to get on the board at 8:54 in the first, 1-0. The rest of the first period was scoreless as the Ravens did a nice job of holding back the powerful Stars offence. St. Thomas scored two goals midway through the second but at 4:46 Brett Schmidt took a pass from Luke Mahon and broke down the right wing, beating the Stars netminder to pull the team within two, 31. St. Thomas scored the next two, but at 13:31 of the third Dylan got the puck competition from Mustang yet), the Spyder was introduced in mid-1962 ­ a Corvair Monza with a turbocharger, boosting output to 150 horsepower. It also came with heavy-duty suspension and a shorter final drive for quicker acceleration. It wasn't cheap ­ at least $2,600US ­ but it was easier on the pocketbook than a Porsche. GM cranked out around 40,000 of them through 1964. The Corvair was re-styled beginning in 1965, and the Monza Spyder label was replaced by the high-end version of the Corvair Corsa. With turbocharger, it cranked out an impressive 180 horsepower. But it was the beginning of the end for the Corvair. Ralph Nader's book, "Unsafe at any Speed," was highly critical of the Corvair's handling characteristics, and with the launch of the Mustang in April 1964, sales tapered off. The last Corvair was built in 1969. Do you have any photos of back to Johnny at the top of the circle where he teed one up and found the twine to pull his team closer, 5-2. With two forwards always lurking in the neutral zone, St. Thomas opened it up and eventually ran up the score to a 9-2 final. The Ravens played even hockey with this club for two periods and scored more playdown goals against the Stars than Windsor, Amherstburg, Belle River and Riverside combined! After a season in which the team struggled at times, their respectable playdown record of 3 wins, 4 losses and 2 ties is something they will build on as playoffs begin on Wednesday. CARSTORY I S SPONSORED BY old cars to share with our readers? Email bill@car story.com or write to Bill Sherk, P.O. Box 10012, Leamington, ON, N8H 2C3. Your Security. Our Responsibility. Raiders downed 3-0 by Villanova Wildcats Red Raider boys' hockey team fights for the puck in semi-final hockey action against the Villanova Wildcats, at Essex Arena Feb. 21. Despite determined play by the Raiders, the Wildcats won 3-0. Novice A Drs Hager/Kniaziew CONTINUED FROM PAGE 18 Hard work by forwards Carly Davison, Jake Maisonneuve, Brendan Jones and Grant Quinlan wore down the Belle River defence. At 5:52 Brady took charge and, after winning the face-off, threw the puck at the net and found the mesh to get the go-ahead oal 3-2. Kudos to the defence Josh Amyotte, Johnny Chittle, Jacob Gagnon, and Nash who continually stymied the Belle River offense by getting back and breaking up plays. The final game of playdowns was on Saturday night when the St. Thomas Jr. Stars traveled to Essex. St. Thomas has been untouchable in the play- Midget Major CAW Club 200 Game #1 - After an unusual series against St. Thomas in which our boys came out on top, we turned our focus to a much tougher opponent ­ the Belle River Rink Rats. The Rats had defeated Southpoint but not without casualties. In the final match up they lost three players by suspension. Backstopped by the fine goaltending of Sean Bear, Essex managed to kill four penalties to their one. In the second period Nick Fournier put one past their goalie with the help of Dan Bacon. We managed to kill six more penalties after this St. Mary's Park Recreation Committee FINAL Softball/T-ball Registration (Leagues Now Forming) Sunday, March 4th 10:00 a.m. - 2:00 p.m. AT St. Mary's Hall, Maidstone (Family - 3 or more $60) MEN $60 WOMEN $60 YOUTH $25 goal which proved to be the winner. Game #2 - Back to Essex for game two. Less than three minutes into the game, Chop put us on the board assisted by Brit and Nick Fournier. Killing five on threes with a total of six penalties in the first finally took its toll. On a delayed penalty call against us the Rats pulled their goalie and evened the score. Still short we drew another penalty and with four seconds left in the period the Rink Rats took the lead 2-1. CONTINUED ON PAGE 22 Ages for Youth Leagues: Born in: 2001, 02, 03 - T-Ball (Saturday morning) 1998, 99, 00 - Junior (Saturday morning) 1995, 96, 97 - Intermediate (Saturday morning) 1992, 93, 94 - Senior (Thursday evening) Please note - Late charges Will Apply IF openings are available For more Information call: Michelle Mongeau - 519-737-6766 OR Shaun Fuerth - 519-723-4247 MAIDSTONE RECREATION CENTRE SUMMER MIXED SAND VOLLEYBALL LEAGUE (starting end of May - Labour Day - 15 weeks) REGISTRATION SAME DATES AND TIMES AS NOTED ABOVE AGE 16 AND OVER FOR MORE INFO CALL Jim Croft 519-723-2216 or Brian Soulliere at 519-739-0475 or email at maidstonerecreation@hotmail.com