Springfest: The annual four-club Corvair gathering in Helen, Georgia
About 100 Corvairs take part in Springfest every year, from mild to wild and everything in between. Photography by author.
For 35 years Corvair owners in the Southeast have been getting together in the Bavarian-themed village of Helen, Georgia, to celebrate all things relating to their beloved air-cooled Chevrolet. The town lies deep within the scenic mountains of northern Georgia, among tall pine trees, a flowing river and specially crafted buildings that would have you believe you were somewhere in southern Germany.
Wearing Minilite-style mags this 1964 Monza came down from Mint Hill, North Carolina with owner Al Rich at the wheel.
Chattanooga, Tennessee resident Adam Hilliard drove over in his deep red 1965 Monza coupe, and parked alongside Danny Robertson’s 1964 Monza Spyder that he drove top down from Toney, Alabama.
This ideal location for car enthusiasts to meet up and have a great time and enjoy tasty German beer and cuisine is hosted each April by four regional clubs of CORSA – the Corvair Society of America. From Georgia there’s Corvair Atlanta and Heart of Georgia chapters, from nearby North Carolina it’s the Queen City Corvair club and from Birmingham, Alabama are the members of the Vulcan Corvair Enthusiasts. All told more than 100 Corvairs are regularly take part in Saturday’s show held right in the heart of Helen, and walking distance to everything.
This finely restored 1964 Greenbrier is an eight-door model, and is owned by Wrightsville, Georgia resident Billy Price.
This 1963 Greenbrier is what we call a Driveable Dream, with aesthetics taking a back seat to looks. Proud owner Jim Cheek from Inman, South Carolina, wrote “Patina” on his placard to describe his van’s color.
The fun kicks off on Friday with an autocross followed by a group dinner where valve cover races take center stage. Saturday’s show and all-Corvair swap meet ends around 1:30 when the start of a leisurely rally into the nearby countryside begins. Saturday night’s awards banquet brings the fun to a close.
Several wagons were on display including this way cool 1961 Lakewood with aftermarket “rally” wheels. Owner Jason Avers drove down from his home in Asheville, North Carolina.
Looking sharp in its turquoise exterior, owner Van Neal made the trek north from Atlanta in his 1965 Monza coupe.
I made the journey down to Georgia to find noteworthy Corvairs for my forthcoming book, Corvair Style, and was able to photograph a few truly exceptional examples. From show cars to driveable dreams, four-door sedans to Fitch Sprints, every Corvair model ever made was in attendance.
The Green brothers from Crossville, Tennessee showed up with Chris’ faded red 1963 coupe and Casey’s 1964 Spyder in Autumn Fawn gold.
In the early group were this attractive white 1964 Monza convertible owned by Patti Jenkins from Rock Hill, South Carolina and a red 1964 Spyder owned by Mary Ann Chapman from Acworth, Georgia.
Two Fitch Sprints were on hand, with the 1963 silver Sprint belonging to James Cheek of Inman, South Carolina, and the later 1965 red and black Sprint owned by Paul Llewellyn of Williamson, Georgia.
For details about next year’s show, visit their website CorvairSpringfest.com.
SOURCE: HEMMINGS