It's 2020 and time for some changes !
Updated: February 25, 2020
Will be deleting the text below soon. Today is February 18, 2020. Remembering someone special on her birthday today. She passed away in 2018.
It's been a down week . Bad cold. The weather is warming but I'm stuck in house. Hopefully not much longer.
So, here it is January 2020 and it's time to update my website/ blog. I originally started corsaturbo as a way to supplement my interest in the Corvair hobby. As I wrote way down on this page, a Corvair was my first car.And over the years it has served as a way to chronicle in pictures and text what has been going on. But it also served as a way to communicate this to all who were attending Tri-State 2014 in Chama, NM which I was coordinating. Also served as a way to register and order t- shirts ( images for these are found at the bottom of this page) for
for that event as well. So, this website has been a useful tool in many ways but now I think I'll just use it as a blog. And I plan to post often about me and my various interests including fishing, photography, travel, music, aviation, growing green chile and fly tying.
Things have changed for me as I have decided to go in another direction and am no longer affliated with Corvairs of New Mexico . I was a member for 10 years. I still have my two 65's Corvairs although I'm condering selling my coupe pictured above.
I have decided instead to turn my focus to my other interests which include flyfishing and aviation. No, I'm not working on getting my private pilots license but rather learning all I can as if I were and developing my flying skills on my Redbird TD2 flight simulator. The next step may be getting into ultralight aircraft for which I would not be required to be licenced. I am interested in a Challenger 1. In the meantime, I have been studing, reading, learning the Garmin 1000 glass cockpit, navigation, taking online tests and generally learning as much as possible
Back to flyfishing. So, my first experience with that was back in 1970 in Colorado when I was in college there. Years went by until I picked it up again and now have been tying flies and fishing mostly New Mexico for the last25 years.
If you would like to comment on any part of this blog, please use the contact box below.
I will just continue to add to the above as the days go on. Just keep scrolling along !
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We have been thinking a lot about having a little dog again. We lost China ( cheena) in Oct. 2004 see picture below. We're thinking maybe another cockapoo. There is a breeder not too far from here and we are on the list for a cream colored little female should one become available. Guess we'll see what happens.
This picture is from around 1995 of EG and China
Fly a flight sim or tye a fly . Today is tye a fly day. Working on a new fly called a perdigon. Many versions but it's basically a nymph to be fished in faster moving waters. I'll post pics later when I get some that are post worthy.
Yesterday, February 1st was one of the most amazing days of my almost 72 years. Only the birth of my sons could surpass.
I flew a plane for the first time. From start up to taxi to run up to take off , fly a pattern to landing, I did it all with only my pilot friend sometimes controlling the mixture and throttle.
I did not know that this is what Jeff had in mind for me. I thought he was just going to take me up and around and I thought I'd do some video and picture taking. So, only a couple pics because after that there was no time to take pictures.
I couldn't believe it. Had I known the night before , I probably wouldn't have slept. But he threw me out of the boat and told me to swim.
I followed his directions (altitude, heading, speed ) and he said I did good for the first time except for the taxi. That needs work. So, I'm still flying high pun intended from this experience and somehow I think my flight simulator just isn't going to be enough although it helped me alot in actually flying for the first time. Jeff says we can again. It was a borrowed Cessna 172 and we flew out of E 80 Belen municipal airport, Belen , NM.
See the pics below.
January 21, 2020: I'll leave the above text up for a while but this is where I'll post the latest .
January 23, 2020: We have had a cold and sometimes snowy winter and now looking forward to spring. As we get closer to February, the temps will make it easier to get work done around our semi-rural property .
January23, 2020: Below are pics of a recent job done at our Peralta property and an installation of a new sewer leech line.
Nothing we planned for but nothing we could wait to do.
I am putting up a contact box in case you would like to respond. Even though I have had problems with spam in the past, we'll give it another try. Only two main ways to find this is if you google me or find my facebook page.
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Picture below is Jeff's Piper Cherokee that he found in Magdalena, NM . Hes waiting on a new starter for it. Has invited me to fly it when it's ready to go.
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It's too early to be thinking about the new well pump I need for this years chile crop. I skipped last summer because of our Alaska cruise trip. The trip was worthwhile doing for a taste of what the state is all about but I missed doing what I enjoy and so we had to buy our green chile. It wasn't even close to being as good as what I grow myself. This year, I'll double the crop .
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Yard clean up Sunday, February 9 . Waiting for a calm day. Had all these piles of branches from tree trimming last fall. Don't plant Dutch elms unless you love constant tree trimming. This area will be planted in the spring with delicious green chile and maybe a few other edibles.
Looking forward to loading up the camper and going....anywhere !! 😎
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Here is short video of a simulated take off and landing at the Albuquerque Sunport (KABQ)
More videos to follow but in the meantime, here is one I put together from fishing the San Juan river last August.
I have been tying my flies for about 25 years or so now . I tye for what I fish for and that's trout.
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The video below is from our trip to Belize and the one bonefish I was able to catch, Here we're on the Island of Ambergris Caye. Short of hiring a guide, it was nearly impossible to find a place to fish from on the lagoon side as it's all private land. This was the only place we could find. Wouldhave been a better video without someones laundry hanging out to dry.
Yes ! We do get snow in Albuquerque
Wheels of Gold Car Club
at the
35th Annual Council of Car Clubs Auto Show
Albuquerque Museum
May 19, 2019
showing some of our cars and a few others
at the
35th Annual Council of Car Clubs Auto Show
Albuquerque Museum
May 19, 2019
showing some of our cars and a few others
WHEELS OF GOLD CAR CLUB MEMBERS
@
The Feed NM Kids Car Show
March 23, 2019
@
The Feed NM Kids Car Show
March 23, 2019
WHEELS OF GOLD INVASION
Members of the Wheels of Gold Car Club attended their first
show as a club on March 23. The event, called the NM Feedthe Kids benefit car show, was held at the Philip and
Sons shop on 4th Street NW. As the name implies, the show was to collect non-perishable food stocks to be given to hungry children.
Six WOG members, Larry Yoffee, Russ McDuffie, and the Golds; Art, Alan, Anne Mae and Robert entered with their
three late models and a Corvair-powered bus. Though surrounded by a host of classic rods and cars, the lineup of Corvairs
stood out. We were treated to live music and as well as hamburgers and hod dogs for lunch. The day was PERFECT for
a show, partly cloudy and warm with moderate winds. The club members in attendance unanimously agreed that they
had a terrific time at the show. They also agreed that we should schedule a food and repairs meeting sometime in
April. Art Gold said that he would host the event. After eating our fill and oggling the cars we headed home.
Happy Car New Year!-- Robert Gold
Members of the Wheels of Gold Car Club attended their first
show as a club on March 23. The event, called the NM Feedthe Kids benefit car show, was held at the Philip and
Sons shop on 4th Street NW. As the name implies, the show was to collect non-perishable food stocks to be given to hungry children.
Six WOG members, Larry Yoffee, Russ McDuffie, and the Golds; Art, Alan, Anne Mae and Robert entered with their
three late models and a Corvair-powered bus. Though surrounded by a host of classic rods and cars, the lineup of Corvairs
stood out. We were treated to live music and as well as hamburgers and hod dogs for lunch. The day was PERFECT for
a show, partly cloudy and warm with moderate winds. The club members in attendance unanimously agreed that they
had a terrific time at the show. They also agreed that we should schedule a food and repairs meeting sometime in
April. Art Gold said that he would host the event. After eating our fill and oggling the cars we headed home.
Happy Car New Year!-- Robert Gold
CHECK OUT CORVAIRS OF NEW MEXICO ON FACEBOOK
May 20, 2018 and the annual New Mexico Council of Car clubs show at the Albuquerque Museum Old Town
REPORT ON TRI-STATE 2017 TAOS, NEW MEXICO
Above is the historic and iconic Taos Pueblo thought to be continually inhabited for at least 1000 years. We were granted special permission by the Taos pueblo governor to assemble and take our group picture.
LLP
The annual Tri-State Corvair meet rotates between the Rocky Mountain Corsa, Pikes Peak Corvair Club and Corvairs of New Mexico (CNM) this year hosted by CNM in Taos New Mexico. We were joined by Mid Continent Corvair Club (Kansas) , Central Oklahoma Corvair Association , Cactus Corvair Corvair Club ( Arizona) ,Oklahona Green Country Corvair Group, Ute Trails Corvair Club.
Each year, a Colorado or New Mexico mountain town is selected as a destination to meet usually chosen for it scenery or nearby activities.
It's a great opportunity to meet old and new Corvairs friends, talk shop, show our Corvairs and hopefully have our car selected by our peers as something special.
Awards are then presented at the Saturday evening banquet. This year we were fortunate to have a guest speaker, Mr. Joe Casey , who was the Chevrolet manufacturing supervisor for the last of the 1969's that were produced.
Mr. Casey gave an excellent presentation and took questions. Thank you Mr. and Mrs. Casey for joining us.
The rest of the weekend's activities included a parade through Taos plaza and of course the show and shine. In the evenings , Taos Pueblos dancers put on a show followed by a bonfire.
The annual Tri-State Corvair meet rotates between the Rocky Mountain Corsa, Pikes Peak Corvair Club and Corvairs of New Mexico (CNM) this year hosted by CNM in Taos New Mexico. We were joined by Mid Continent Corvair Club (Kansas) , Central Oklahoma Corvair Association , Cactus Corvair Corvair Club ( Arizona) ,Oklahona Green Country Corvair Group, Ute Trails Corvair Club.
Each year, a Colorado or New Mexico mountain town is selected as a destination to meet usually chosen for it scenery or nearby activities.
It's a great opportunity to meet old and new Corvairs friends, talk shop, show our Corvairs and hopefully have our car selected by our peers as something special.
Awards are then presented at the Saturday evening banquet. This year we were fortunate to have a guest speaker, Mr. Joe Casey , who was the Chevrolet manufacturing supervisor for the last of the 1969's that were produced.
Mr. Casey gave an excellent presentation and took questions. Thank you Mr. and Mrs. Casey for joining us.
The rest of the weekend's activities included a parade through Taos plaza and of course the show and shine. In the evenings , Taos Pueblos dancers put on a show followed by a bonfire.
Please enjoy the slide shows below
SHOW & SHINE
Corvairholics
Our visit to Taos Pueblo
We all had a real nice time and we thank everyone for making the trip. Most of you traveled a far distance to share this time together. Thanks again. And now on to Crested Butte, Colorado for the 2018 Tri-State Corvair Meet !
1965 Corvair Corsa
COMING ATTRACTIONS
1965 Monza
More pics to come
1965 Monza
More pics to come
Back to the 205/60R 13's on the Shelby Europa's available back in the day from IECO. Until I go back to 205/50R 15's on new wheels, these look better than the Z28 wheels that were on there before. Today is October 25, 2016 and took this new member of my family on a 60 miles round trip sometimes hitting 80 on I-25 and it did fine. Love the sound of the new exhaust extractors. Had my first pair back in 1969. The reddish convertible picture below is gone and traded for this one, a superior car with a great deal of potential to be something really good.
Don't have much history on this car. It has been living in Carrizozo, New mexico for the last 15 years. Updates on this convertible are rebuilt rear hubs, new gas tank and sending unit and electric fuel pump, high speed heater motor, rebuilt shitfer with brass geduides, 3:55 transaxle resealed, new throw-out bearing and sway bar bushings replaced . Lots left to deal with. But it runs out and stops , shifts great and today checked the gas milaged at 20 mpg.
CORVAIRS OF NEW MEXICO AT THE
New Mexico State Fair2016
New Mexico State Fair2016
In the beginning - GM created the Corvair
(This is where you imagine the thunder and lightning or at least a distinctive exhaust note)
(This is where you imagine the thunder and lightning or at least a distinctive exhaust note)
So, welcome to my long time personal interest in
Corvairs. This website was created to promote this important American
automobile and share my connection to it. There are several pages to view .
However, there is very limited technical information here. Please refer to the
many other sites that exist. Please check out the menu at the top of the page.
Feel free to leave a comment using the contact form or on the guest page.
Corvairs. This website was created to promote this important American
automobile and share my connection to it. There are several pages to view .
However, there is very limited technical information here. Please refer to the
many other sites that exist. Please check out the menu at the top of the page.
Feel free to leave a comment using the contact form or on the guest page.
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What's New and Improved
Thank you Steve Gongora at House of Covers for transforming my Recaro seats into something extraordinary. You do awesome work.
It was time to do the interior. The material on the seat, although unique, was wearing out. Steve tells me that the previous owner purchased the seats at a aftermarket vendor here in Albuquerque . That store closed many years ago. They were comfortable before . But now they are even more so and , if I had cruise control, I know I could take an extended trip and be confortable all the way and back. Of course it made perfect sense to use this opportunity to replace the carpet over modern insulation. And it is significantly quieter. This was just the upgrade I have been waiting to do that will make me even prouder to drive and show my Corsa into the future.
It was time to do the interior. The material on the seat, although unique, was wearing out. Steve tells me that the previous owner purchased the seats at a aftermarket vendor here in Albuquerque . That store closed many years ago. They were comfortable before . But now they are even more so and , if I had cruise control, I know I could take an extended trip and be confortable all the way and back. Of course it made perfect sense to use this opportunity to replace the carpet over modern insulation. And it is significantly quieter. This was just the upgrade I have been waiting to do that will make me even prouder to drive and show my Corsa into the future.
Russ and Geoff working on Russ' 1965 Corsa rear main seal change-out
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You may also enjoy the following Corvair websites...
http://www.unm.edu/~jimp/
http://www.corvair.org/chapters/chapter871/
Steve Gongora /House of Covers
http://corvaircenter.com/phorum/list.php?1
http://corvaircenter.com/index.php
http://www.corvairforum.com/forum/
http://www.corvair.org/chapters/chapter871/
Steve Gongora /House of Covers
http://corvaircenter.com/phorum/list.php?1
http://corvaircenter.com/index.php
http://www.corvairforum.com/forum/
It was my priviledge to do a photo shoot with Steve Gongora that resulted in his Rampside being chosen for the 2013 Snap On calendar. Congratulations Mr. December 2013
Red River Tri-State Corvair Meet May 2010.
My grandpa on his circa 1916-20 Mack "Bulldog" chain drive, 1.5 ton : Dover, NH. First introduced in 1916 , these played a big role in World War I. Called a bulldog because of the flat front and tenacity . Only about 60 hp but with a lot of torque it had the radiator mounted behind the engine. Since this type of truck was used in WWI, it's my guess that the radiator was behind the engine to protect it from being shot out. This was probably a crank start engine.
This website started out as an extention of my car hobby . Mostly, just a way to expand on my interest in Corvairs and mostly for myself. It has evolved into something else especially since joining the local Corvair chapter of CORSA. I would like to thank all of you for following my website and encourage you to chime in at anytime on the "guestbook" page. I will continue to try to keep it fresh and add new features as I can. Thanks so much for your continued interest in CorsaTurbo180 USA. Larry
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MY STORY
I guess you really never forget your first car and especially when it's not just a car or transportation. My 1965 Monza 110 4 speed made at least 4 cross country trips and almost never let me down. I really hated to let it go but it seemed like the right thing to do at the time. However, it never really left me and 35 years later I finally got back to owning one again. Now, with this new project I just picked up, this will be number four. I'll keep you posted. So, here's how I started to get back into owning a Corvair.
While visiting in El Paso (2006) I spotted a 1965 Monza coupe for sale in the classifieds. At this time , I had ramped up my interest in owning another Corvair . Prior to this, nothing seemed to be for sale in Albuquerque except a 66 convertible that was too expensive. I went to see this 1965 Corvair Monza over Thanksgiving weekend and bought it. It wasn't the perfect car for me but a good start. Thanks to Felix Armijo for fronting the $. Atms just don't dispense that much ! There are a few pics of this 1965 red Monza below. While this car was being restored and before I lost it in an accident, another one came along, a 1965 Corvair Corsa. Shown above.
My1965 Corvair Corsa 180hp turbo charged coupe' : I'm pretty sure I would never buy a 45 year old car on eBay but when I spotted one for sale( on eBay) and saw that it was a local Albuquerque( New Mexico) car, I couldn't believe my good fortune. I called the seller and asked for a demo and inspection, said that I would wait to see what the auction did and held my breath for two days until the auction was over. I definitely wanted this car and when it didn't make his reserve, I called and made an offer that was accepted Still can't believe I beat out all the other local Corvairs folks on this one. I mean, really, a NM rust free Corsa coupe, turbo charged, soft ray tint all around etc, etc. It was what I always wanted. I think that's it's important to say that my knowledge of Corvairs mechanically was limited to what I had to repair myself back in the day . As fond as I was of this car, it was after all my ride , my transportation and I had to keep it on the road when things broke. So, it's been a real process, a fun one, but I am trying to educate myself as I go and develop as comprehensive an understanding of how all the parts add up to the whole. Joining Corvairs of New Mexico has helped a lot as there are numerous members who are knowledgable and willing to share what they know. So has going on the Corvair Center forum.Thank you to them.
My interest in Corvairs started when my brother Ken, who had just graduated from West Point M.A. , bought a brand new 1965 Corvair Corsa coupe . The 140hp version. Prior to this , I never really paid much attention to these cars. We only briefly saw this car as he was quickly transferred to Germany and took it with him. This picture was taken in Stuttgart, Germany. I love to drive them , but was truly taken by the design. Just loved the way (what later became known as the LM or late model) this car looked from any angle. So here's Ken's 1965. It was rear-ended in the Washington, DC area upon his return stateside. That was the end of that car.
Shortly following that, my folks decided that they'd had enough of a Peugot they owned. They liked Kens car and decided they would buy one too. Right around this same time, I was a senior in high school and so therefore made an executive decision that this new little 1965 Monza 110 automatic in crocus yellow (I think) was also mine. Actually, they really did let me have my way with it a little. I added some chrome rims, dual exhaust and one of those Holley 4barrels actually it was the same set up but a two barrel and don't remember the brand (you know what system I mean-ram induction-too far for the mixture to travel and temp problems on the way ) which didn't work very well with PG. Having this car to drive, quite often, highly influenced my choice when it came to buying my own first car. Special thanks to my childhood friend Rick . I learned a lot from you (you probably didn't think I was paying attention) that sure came in handy when I had to troubleshoot and repair my own.
Well, three years later, and lot of jobs at a $1.25 an hour, I was able to finally purchase my first car. A 1965 Corvair Monza 110 4 speed in madiera maroon for $850.00. It did have some minor body damage but I was thrilled to have one I could afford. At the time, I did not appreciate the value of the wood grain telescopic steering wheel(now in good condition worth what I originally paid for the whole car) or the luggage rack, chrome rear grill and bumperettes. But it was mine all mine and paid for. bfe
Greeley, Colorado 1970
I made a few cosmetic changes to it with chrome reverse wheels, trombone exhaust (what a great exhaust note it had) , steering column mounted tach, corsa ardent silver in the back , and our clubs ( 3 car club) interpretation of a Yenko stripe and Lucas Flamethrower high beam light. Only one though. Could only afford one. Probably the change that made the biggest difference was the brand new set of Michelin radials. Thank you Granny (1891-1982). I needed new tires badly but couldn't afford them . What an amazing difference radials make on a LM Corvair. This picture was taken in Greeley, Colorado circa 1970.
Here is my first Corvair since 1971. Bought it in El Paso Thanksgiving
weekend 2005 and drove it back to Albuquerque.
weekend 2005 and drove it back to Albuquerque.
So, my brother Ken buys a brand new 1965 Corsa 140 and this leads to my folks buying a brand new 1965 Monza 110 pg which leads to me buying a 3 year old 1965 Monza 110 4 sp coupe in 1968 and owning that until 1971. Then I took a 35 year break from Corvairs until I bought a 1965 Monza 110 4 sp coupe in 2005(above) in El Paso and had that until someone crashed into it . That brings me to my 1965 Corsa (turbo 180) coupe ( a local Albuquerque , NM car advertized on ebay-waited until the auction was over an purchased) featured below which I currently enjoy and continue to improve .
Total1,835,170Production plants[edit]All locations are cars only, except as noted:
St Louis and Flint were Chevrolet truck plants, although Chevy had full-size car plants in both cities and in St Louis the plants were adjacent.
Oshawa was operated solely by GM of Canada Ltd.
The CKD plants were operated by GM Overseas Operations (GMOO).
Go to the Corvairs of New Mexico page for Fisher Body Tag Codes and Information
- Willow Run 1960-69
- Kansas City 1960-61
- Oakland, CA 1960-63
- Van Nuys, CA 1963, 1965 & 1966 (Both my Corsa coupe and Monza convertible built here)
- St Louis, MO 1961-65 (FCs)
- Flint, MI 1961-64 (FCs)
- Oshawa, Ontario 1960-66
- Mexico City 1961-63 (CKD)
- Caracas, Venezuela 1960-62 (CKD)
- Bienne, Switzerland 1960-67 (CKD)
- Antwerp, Belgium 1960-67 (CKD)
- Copenhagen, Denmark 1960-61
- Port Elizabeth, South Africa 1960-62 (All 1960 CKD models)
St Louis and Flint were Chevrolet truck plants, although Chevy had full-size car plants in both cities and in St Louis the plants were adjacent.
Oshawa was operated solely by GM of Canada Ltd.
The CKD plants were operated by GM Overseas Operations (GMOO).
Go to the Corvairs of New Mexico page for Fisher Body Tag Codes and Information
Website updated:
February 25, 2020 Above, my designs for Tri-State, 2020
This website is dedicated to my sons, Michael and Jon..always
