Jacksonville Car Culture events calendar
Caffeine and Octane
A brace of Brits are the celebrated class of classics and moderns at the next Caffeine and Octane Jacksonville as it embarks on its second year under that epic moniker. Set from 8 to 11 a.m. on Saturday August 13, at The Avenues mall’s Southside Boulevard parking lots, British cars can display in a special feature lot.
And look for a special compact car on display in the feature area – a 1983 Honda Civic Wagon once owned and customized by Rutledge Wood. That’s the same “Rut” who starred in the U.S. version of Top Gear, and does field reporting at NASCAR races.
Photo courtesy Mecum Auctions
An estimated 1,000-plus cars, trucks, motorcycles and more come to the all-makes, all-models free show, with all parking spots first come/first serve. Cars should start arriving by 7 a.m. each Saturday to the Southside Boulevard side of the shopping mall, the best way in through Malabar Boulevard. As always, there will be a Porsche Jacksonville corner, exotics area, Classics Rows and more at the August C&O. And look for literally hundreds of vintage and classic cars, muscle cars and so much more.
Official Caffeine and Octane merchandise is on sale at all Caffeine and Octane Jacksonville events.
Gentle reminder – All vehicles parked in the Central Lot must remain in place until the show concludes at 11 a.m. Please Park in the Exhibit Lot if you need to leave prior to 11 a.m. Those parking in the Exotics Lot and the Porsche Corner are free to arrive and leave at any time!
Some recent car events all over Jacksonville:
A glass of wine, a classic car, and lots of folks wandering around dozens of classics and historic race cars at the latest “Evening with Brumos” social held on Aug. 5 at The Brumos Collection at 5159 San Pablo Road S. in Jacksonville.
Many of Brumos Racing’s most famous cars, as well as its 1968 Mercedes-Benz Porsche factory race transporter, nicknamed “Buster.”
A 1923 Miller board track diorama race car on a board track diorama.
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A 1955 Porsche 550 Spyder with rear deck removed to show its engine.
And the view from the balcony of classic Indianapolis race cars, very early cars and the landscaped grounds outside.
Jacksonville’s only automobile museum had IndyCars suspended from the ceiling, as well as cars from the Brumos Racing team’s past, plus historic Indy racers and classics in a 35,000-square-foot museum. No word on when the next one will be, but the event was open to the public for an admission fee. And the collection is open Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays – more info here.
Brewz Bartram Park Car Show: 1 to 5 p.m. Sunday at Brewz Bartram Park at 14866 Old St. Augustine Road. Classic car owners, bring your vehicles and get a free cocktail, organizers said.
Now the car shows:
JEA Drive Electric Event: 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Saturday at TIAA Bank Field at 1 TIAA Bank Field Drive off Gator Bowl Boulevard. The JEA’s third electric vehicle event, it is free and features EV test drives from local dealerships; local owners of EVs from Tesla, Ford, Chevy, Nissan, KIA and more; a display of electric vehicles from JEA, JTA and other agencies; and eBike test rides. Two Nikola Tre all-electric semi-trucks will be on display as well as a 38-foot diesel electric hybrid yacht, with food trucks on site.
African American Culture Fest and Car/Bike Show: noon to 8 p.m. Saturday at Camden County Public Service Agency at 1050 Wildcat Drive in Kingsland, Ga. Free to spectators and $25 for show cars, or $20 for display motorcycles.
Exchange Club of Jacksonville’s Family Center Car Show: 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday, Aug. 20, at St. John the Divine Greek Orthodox Church at 12760 Beach Blvd. Free for spectators and $25 day of show for display vehicles.
7th Annual Freedom Fest Car Show: 4 to 8 p.m. on Saturday, September 10, outside the JCPenney at the Orange Park Mall at 1910 Wells Road. This year presents the Truck and Off-Road Edition, although show vehicles of all kinds are invited. The show highlights the service that firefighters, police officers, active duty, reserves armed forces, and first responders provide. Free to spectators, registration is $25 in advance and $35 day of show here.
J-Tech/First Coast Car Council Drive-In Movie: East bound and down, the Car Council just announced another drive-in movie night cruise-in on Saturday, September 10, at J-Tech at 8813 Western Way. More details to come, but it will be $10 per carload, showing the original “Smokey and the Bandit.”
Best Of the Nest Car Show: 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday, September 17, at Yulee High School, 85375 Miner Road. The Yulee High School Cheerleaders and Amelia Island Cruisers present the show to benefit the YHS Cheer program.
Car Truck and Motorcycle Show: 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 1, at American Legion Post 401 at 37405 Henry Smith Road in Hilliard. Free for spectators and $20 registration for show vehicles. Callahan Cruisers proceeds benefit the building find for American Legion Post 401.
Fall Cruisin’ to the Creek 2022: 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Sat. Oct. 1, at Trout Creek Memorial Park and Marina at 6550 Florida 13 North in Saint Johns. Spectators are free; $25 show vehicle registration pre-show, and $30 day of show – register at carcouncil.org/show-registration. The annual show benefits the Ronald McDonald House of Jacksonville.
43rd annual Azalea City Cruisers Car and Truck Show: 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 1, at the Putnam County Fairgrounds at 118 Fairgrounds Road in East Palatka. Free for spectators and $25 day-of-show for display vehicles.
Callahan Cruisers Car and Truck Show: 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday, October 1, at the American Legion Post 401 at 37405 Henry Smith Road in Hilliard. Motorcycles are also accepted, proceeds to benefit the American Legion post’s building fund.
38th annual Ancient City Auto Club Show: 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 5, at the Classic Car Museum of St. Augustineat 4730 U.S. 1 S./Dixie Highway South in St Augustine. Free to spectators and $25 day of show for display vehicles.
20th Annual Ponte Vedra Auto Show: 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Sunday, Nov. 13, at the Nocatee Station Event Field at 400 Nocatee Center Way in Ponte Vedra Beach. If you have a classic vehicle, a modern collectible or a supercar, you are encouraged to register your car for the show PVautoshow.com.
Fort Clinch State Park Cars and Cannons: 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, September 24, at Fort Clinch State Park at 2601 Atlantic Ave. at Fernandina Beach.
Image courtesy: Friends of Fort Clinch
All show vehicles must pre-register online at $50 per at fortclinch.org/Cars-and-Cannons, proceeds to benefit the Friends of Fort Clinch. Spectator fort admission is $6 per vehicle (up to 8 persons); $4 single-occupant vehicle or $2.50 per person.
Riding into History Concours D’Elegance: Set for April 15, 2023, at the World Golf Village in St. Augustine, with Competition Motorcycles as the featured class and Grand Marshal Mary McGee, AMA Hall of Fame and Off Road Motorsports Hall of Fame inductee. McGee will join the Grand Marshal Tour that weekend, as well as the Grand Marshal Banquet. Riding into History is a non-profit organization with its primary charity, K9s for Warriors, which provides service dogs for disabled veterans. Riding into History has donated more than $600,000 to local charities since its founding in 1999.
The FIRM (Florida International Rally and Moto Park): Open Track Days held most weekends at the road course and rally course at 7266 Airport Road in Starke.
All the Cruise-ins
First Coast Car Council, Clay County Cruzers, Callahan Cruisers and Amelia Cruizers all hold regular weekend cruise-ins, so check their Facebook pages.
Caffeine and Octane Jacksonville: 8 to 11 a.m. every second Saturday at The Avenues Mall at 10300 Southside Blvd. Information: https://bit.ly/3gPRvVQ.
North Florida Domestic Car Club’s new cruise-in: 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. each first Saturday of the month at the PDQ at 4816 Gate Parkway.
NEW – Gripping Gears Car Meet: 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. on the first Saturday of each month at Adamec Harley-Davidson at 380 Outlet Mall Blvd. in St. Augustine, presented by Jacksonville Headturners.
First Coast Car Council: Second Saturday cruise-in is from 5 to 8 p.m. at the Medical & Merchants Center of Mandarin, 11701 San Jose Blvd.
The Part’s House/The Brothers Banter Podcast Cruise-in: The renamed White Brothers Auto Parts Cruise-in at the same time – 5 to 8 p.m. every second Friday at 405 Lane Ave. N.
Callahan Cruisers: 4 to 7 p.m. every second Saturday at Hardee’s at 542309 U.S. 1 in Callahan. This Saturday’s event is the eighth anniversary of the cruise-in.
Auto Legends Amelia Cars and Coffee: 9 a.m. to noon every second Saturday at Mocama Beer Company, 629 S. 8th St. in Fernandina Beach.
Johnny Angels: 6:30 to 9:30 p.m. every third Friday at Johnny Angels diner at 3546 St. Johns Bluff Road S.
Returned cruise-in: Jax Beach Classic Car Cruise: 5 p.m. Tuesday, Aug. 16, at Latham Plaza, 11 Ocean Front N. in Jacksonville Beach. Thanks to the support of the City of Jacksonville Beach, the Sea Walk Pavilion and Latham Plaza (across from the Pavilion between 1st and 2nd St on the corner of 2nd Ave. North can be used to showcase pre-registered cars.
Cruise Fruit Cove: 3 to 7 p.m. every third Saturday at the PDQ at 194 Florida 13 in Saint Johns, just south of Julington Creek.
Amelia Cruizers: 3 to 6 p.m. every third Saturday at Cold Stone Creamery, 808 Sadler Road, Fernandina Beach.
Yulee Cars and Coffee: 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. every third Sunday at the Sonic Drive-In at 463939 Florida 200 in Yulee.
Clay County Cruzers’ events: 3 to 6 p.m. every first Saturday at Big Dawg Sports Restaurant, 1330 Blanding Blvd. The Cruzers’ other events: At 3 to 6 p.m. on the second Saturday, Dick’s Wings Fleming Island at 1803 E. West Parkway; 5 p.m. every third Friday at Freddy’s Steakburgers at 386 Blanding Blvd.; and 2 to 5 p.m. every fourth Saturday at Gator’s Dockside Oakleaf, 316 Merchants Way, Jacksonville.
New cruise-in: 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturday at Mr. Chubby’s Wings, 2349 Village Square Parkway in Fleming Island. Also presented byClay County Cruzers.
Classic Car Museum of St. Augustine monthly cruise-ins: St. Augustine Cruiser’s “Cruise In” from 5 to 7 p.m. every third Saturday, and Cars and Coffee from 8 to 10 a.m. every fourth Saturday, both at 4730 U.S. 1 S./Dixie Highway South in St Augustine.
Cars and Coffee Fleming Island: 8 a.m. every fourth Sunday of the month at 2310 Village Square Parkway, Fleming Island.
New cruise-in: 1 p.m. on Saturday, July 16, and every third Saturday at Hardee’s at 6852 Wilson Blvd.
New cruise-in: 6 p.m. every fourth Saturday at Mission BBQ, 8440 Blanding Blvd. in Jacksonville, hosted by Modern Mustangs of Jacksonville.
New cruise-in: 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. every fourth Saturday at the Rockin’ 50’s Eatery at 3501 N. Ponce De Leon Blvd. in St. Augustine.
New cruise-in: Custard Cruise-in from 5 to 8 p.m. on Tuesday, July 5, at Culver’s, 3433 U.S. 1 in St. Augustine.
Show and Tell, 6 to 9 p.m. every fourth Thursday at Advance Auto Parts at 10014 Atlantic Blvd.
Historic Springfield Main Street Cruise: 4 p.m. every fourth Saturday between 8th and 17th streets at Main Street in Jacksonville’s Springfield community.
Photos courtesy Audi
Audi’s new S1 e-tron quattro Hoonitron makes its North American debut at the Rolex Motorsport Reunion; just before it is featured in Ken Block’s first ‘Electrikhana’ film in coming months. The all-electric one-of-a-kind vehicle is inspired by the historic 1985 Audi Sport quattro S1, also to be on display at Laguna Seca during Monterey Car Week, Aug. 17 to 21. The new one-of-a-kind vehicle was developed exclusively for American drift artist Ken Block, the first time that the North American public will have a chance to view the electric car.
That original Audi Sport quattro S1 was driven by Walter Röhrl when he set his record of 10 minutes and 48 seconds on gravel at the Pikes Peak Hillclimb in 1987. It still stands as the fastest time on the unpaved stretch of road into the sky as it has since been paved.
The S1 Hoonitron was finalized by Audi Design in Ingolstadt, Germany, while its development took place in Audi Sport’s Neckarsulm location.
Photos courtesy Audi
The modern S1 Hoonitron is a one-off, but Audi sells its e-tron, e-tron Sportback, and e-tron GT EVs now, joined by the Q4 e-tron SUV and Q4 Sportback e-tron.
Photos courtesy Florida Highway Patrol
Beaches, boats. A sunset, and a Florida Highway Patrol MOPAR – that’s the image the state’s troopers have composed as this year’s entry into the American Association of State Troopers annual “Best Looking Cruiser” Contest, which continues through Thursday, August 25.
The Florida Highway Patrol has entered the nationwide competition to determine which state highway patrol has the best-looking cruiser, in this case its trusty Dodge Charger, and is asking for the public’s support by voting at surveymonkey.com/r/QHXV8ZS.
To vote, scroll to the bottom and select “Florida” from the drop-down menu, then click “Done.”
The Florida Highway Patrol’s photo was taken on the island community of Marathon in the Florida Keys.
The contest winner will be featured on the cover of the AAST’s “America’s Best Looking Trooper Cruisers 2023” Wall Calendar, sales proceeds to benefit the American Association of State Troopers Foundation, which provides educational scholarships to dependents of member troopers.
Photos courtesy Florida Highway Patrol
The Florida Highway Patrol’s Dodge Charger was featured a few years ago in the contest, its photo taken in front of Jacksonville’s Main Street bridge.