ANDRE MANNY
The Old Pro [Le Professionnel Venerable]

       I first saw the name of Andre Manny on an early 1960's drivers; roster at Fonda Speedway. JUst like Jean - Paul Cabana and Jean Guy Chartrand, his countrymen, Manny never appeared at Fondas while I was there; but the fact that he had a few points occasionally suggests he did try it a few times. Manny probably began his career at some early Quebec track such as Bouvrette Speedway, St. Jerome, QC or maybe Autdrome Ste - Martine. Photographs and 8 MM footages of him at the majestic old horse track, Bouvrette Speedway offer proff he did, at least, spend much of his early career there.

      But, Andre Manny's fame and notoriety come from the 1960's and '70's, during which he excelled in sportsman coupes, modified late models, and - finally - late model sportsman cars. While Jean - Paul Cabana achieved notoriety for winning the first and last features ever at Catamount Stadium [plus many in between], Manny can lay claim to winning that speedway's first two championship titles.  After that, the emphasis swung to modifieds, and Manny was still running a sportsman.
      Those of us down here in the States most connect Manny with the beautiful Gaston Ethier 27A Chevelle, with ewhich he ran successfully in the early 1970's. I am equally certain that he is famous in Quenec for a far wider variety of race cars and accomplishments. He was a great champion. By the time I was getting to see him on a regular basis - he was already in the latter years of his career, being somewhat older than his friend, Cabana, whose career at Catamount lasted until the end of the track.

Norman McIver Portrait Courtesy of Cho Lee

EARLIER YEARS

Courtesy of Yvan LaCroix Manny, with an early car at Bouvrette- the Beliveau B45.

8 MM Frame Courtesy of The LaBreche Family Andre, walking in the pit area at Bouvrette.

8 MM Frame Courtesy of The LaBreche Family Another Manny car in the pit area at Bouvrette.

8 MM Frame Courtesy of The LaBreche Family Andre, looping the 27A  at Bouvrette. Each photo brings him closer to the one takling the pictures.

8 MM Frame Courtesy of The LaBreche Family Closer !

8 MM Frame Courtesy of The LaBreche Family Even closer ... time to run !

Courtesy of Pat LaPlante Manny, with an early Gerald Lussier car at Bouvrette- the 27A.

 
Bob Mackey Photo    Courtesy of Cavalcade of Auto Racing
The Gerald Lussier Used Auto Parts - sponsored 27A at Airborne Park Speedway.

SPORTSMAN AND MODIFIED YEARS

Courtesy of Gary Nephew Same car, at Riverside Speedway, Lava QC. Spinout with Dick Nephew [6]. Note guys watching frfom trees. Circa 1959.	Courtesy of Gary Nephew An earlier sportsman coupe, at Airborne Park Speedway, Plattsburgh, NY. Circa 1960	Courtesy of Pascal Cote A mid '60's group photo from the Riverside track. Richard Foley, Gilles Brochu, Bernie Colangelo, Paul Hamel, Cabana, and Manny. 1962.	Courtesy of Marc P. Roy A mid '60's sportsman coupe, at Thunder Road International Speedbowl, Barre, VT. 1965.	Courtesy of Paul Mascitti Another mid '60's sportsman coupe,  at Airborne Pk Speedway, leading MacTavish. Circa 1966.	Courtesy of Cho Lee A banquet shot at which Andre is feted as the champion of Catamount Stadium for the second straight year 1966.	Bob Mackey Photo Courtesy of John Rock Manny's sportsman coupe, at Airborne chasing Jim LaFountaine's hobby Ford. Not sure why they were in same race. 1966.
Bob Mackey Photo Courtesy of John Rock Manny's sportsman coupe, at Airborne around 1956 or 66.	Ladabouche Collection He definitely knew how to smile, eh ?	Ladabouche Collection Waiting for the race to start.	360 Nitro Website Another view of familiar sportsman coupe.	Courtesy of Pat LaPlante A sportsman coupe back at the garage.	360 Nitro Website A later modified  coupe.	Courtesy of Marco Manny A later coupe on the hauler.
Courtesy of Marco Manny Same coupe on the same hauler.	Paul Michaud Photo 360 via the Nitro Website The crew for the Chevy II bodied modified.	Paul Michaud Photo Another of Manny's modifieds- around 1968.	Bob Mackey Photo Courtesy of John Rock Manny's Corvair modified leads the 909 coupe of Bobby Santos, Sr. at Airborne around 1970.	Ladabouche Collection Manny's Corvair mod, at Airborne around 1970.	Paul Michaud Photo 360 via the Nitro Website Andre in the Chevy II bodied modified leads Serge Guiguere.	Courtesy of Gerard Favre Manny modified at Bedford's Champion Speedway.
via Gerard Major The Lussier car is seen behind DIck Foley - probably at Riverside.	Bob Mackey Photo via Ardyce Blohm Manny follows the late model of JIm LaFountaine around Airborne - likely as last week's winners.	Source Unknown An earlier Manny Gerald Lussier coupe. Usually not seen in blue.	Bob Mackey Photo via Ardyce Blohm The East End Chevy II at Airborne.	8 MM FIlm Capture Source Unknown The NASCAR sportsman at Fury.	8 MM FIlm Capture Source Unknown The NASCAR sportsman at Fury.	via Gerard Major The Lussier car is seenin a scrum - probably at Riverside. This is 1965. Ron Marvin [13] was running fro National Pts.

LATE MODEL SPORTSMAN YEARS

Paul Michaud Photo  via the 360  Nitro Website The #16 Morrissette Chevelle at Autodrome Quebec Moderne 1968.	Paul Michaud Photo via the 360 Nitro Website Andre, at speed, with the Morrissette Chevelle.	Devil's Bowl Program The Chicoine 87, an earlier late model, at Devil's Bowl.	Ladabouche Photo The Chicoine 87, an earlier late model, at Catamount. 1972.	Ladabouche Photo The Chicoine 87, an earlier late model, at Catamount. 1972.	360 Nitro Website The Chicoine car in 1971.	Courtesy of Andy Boright An early version of the 27A late model. Circa 1971.
Ladaboche Photo The earlier Ethier car.	Courtesy of Chris Companion Blowing by Bernie Griffith.	Paul Michaud Phot via the 360 Nitro Website The familiar and beautiful East End Auto Body Chevelle.	the 360 Nitro Website Buttoning up the Ethier Chevelle.	Ladaboche Collection The Ethier car, at speed, at Catamount.	Courtesy of Jim Watson A pose with Ethier car.	Courtesy of Andy Boright Beautiful Chevelle.
		Courtesy of Chris Companion Pit work at Catamount around 1972.	Ladabouche Photo Pit work at Catamount around 1972.	Ladabouche Collection A pose around 1972.

DAYTONA AND PERMATEX

Via Gerard Major Andre, with same car as the one at right.

Via Gerard Major A typical Permatex Studebaker from the 1960's.

Via Gerard Major A typical Permatex Studebaker from the 1960's. An interior shot.

Andre Manny RIP Site Photo The Pontiac that is mentioned in the results at right.

Andre Manny RIP Site Photo The Pontiac is listed above in the 1966 Permatex finishing order.

A FEW NEWS CLIPPINGS

Newspaper L'Avenir du Nord May 31, 1956, At Bouvrette Speedway in St. Jerome, QC. It says he's ready for season to begin.	Newspaper Echo des Laurentides August 17, 1956, At Bouvrette Speedway in St. Jerome, QC. It says he went into a ravine after losing control.	Newspaper La Presse August 19, 1956, At Bouvrette Speedway in St. Jerome, QC. It says he's one of the more popular amateur drivers.	Newspaper Montreal Star May 5, 1961. This explains why we found no news on Manny in 1959 and 1960.	Newspaper Montreal Star June 19, 1961. Sets a record in what looks to have been a rare visit to RIverside Speedway, Durvernay.	Newspaer Montreal Star June 29, 1961. Another win at RIverside Speedway, Durvernay. He was making a comeback in 1961.	Newspaper Plattsburgh Press Republican May, early 1960's.
Press Republican June 10, 1961. Listed as one of top Canadian entries.	Press Republican August 12, 1963. 2nd place finish in a very hectic feature.	Press Republican July 7, 1964. 2nd place finish in feature.	Press Republican May 25, 1965. Manny a multiple feature winner at Airborne.	Illustrated Speedway News June 22, 1965. Multiple feature winner at the new Catamount Stadium, as well.	Press Republican December 9, 1965. Track champ at both Airborne and Catamount. Quite a year.	Press Republican April 14, 1966. Manny to run Permatex race, He did well in a Pontiac.
Press Republican June 20,1966. Manny loses to Taillard driving Cabana car.	Potsdam Courier and Freeman August 8,1968.  With Denis Giroux now driving the 27, Andre went over to the Ed Cloce team funded by Courtesy Plymouth. He later quit that team.	Chateaugay Record and Franklin County Democrat September 3,1970.  Manny is back driving for someone.	Rouses Point North Countryman August 3,1972.  Manny is now running late model sportsman cars on the Northern NASCAR circuit.	Plattsburgh Press Republican May 18,1973. Plattsburgh opens with Andre's photo labeled as Cabana.	Plattsburgh Press Republican July 14,1973. Manny finnishes 2nd in feature.	Montreal Gazette May 20, 1974. Andre retires for good.

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