Jacksonville Car Culture events calendar
The next Caffeine &Octane has warm weather hours – set for 7:30 to 10:30 a.m. Saturday, Sept. 14, at The Avenues mall at 10300 Southside Blvd.
Gentle reminders – All vehicles parked in the Central Lot must remain in place until the show concludes. If you cannot stay until then, please park in the exhibit lot. Those parking in the Exotics Lot and the Porsche Corner are free to arrive and leave at any time.
And head’s up – the Hilton Head Island Concours d’Elegance and Motoring Festival is coming up Oct. 31 to Nov. 3 at the Port Royal Golf Club – the honored marque: is Bentley and Rolls-Royce Post-War. The event also celebrates the 125th anniversary of Packard, and the Class Of ’64 – 60 Years of Mustang; Pop Culture Cars Of The 50s & 60s; Rare English, Open & Closed European 50s, 60s, & 70s, Jaguar XK Class, Classic Japanese Performance, Micro Cars, Barn Finds, Automotive Orphans, Cannonball Run Motorcycles and more.
Past events:
Wheels and Wings Car and Airplane Show, last Saturday, at Fernandina Beach Municipal Airport, presented by the Amelia Cruizers and Friends of Fernandina Aviation:
Staker Productions’ Endless Summer Showcase, last Saturday at the Seawalk Pavilion in Jacksonville Beach:
Cruise Fruit Cove was also last Saturday:
And a little slice of last week’s Cruise Fruit Cove:
Upcoming events:
Rodders for Christ: 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday, Aug. 31, at Journey Church West at 550974 U.S. 17 in Hilliard. Free for spectators and $20 per show vehicle. Proceeds benefit Nassau County Sheriff’s Office’s Shop with Cops program.
Annual Freedom Fest Car Show – Lifted vs. Lowered Edition: 3 to 7 p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 7, at the Orange Park Mall calling all military and first responders – $40 for show vehicle registration.
The Barn at Maple Car and Bike Show: 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 21, at 545 Cathy Tripp Lane.
Cars and Cannons: 9 a.m. on Saturday, Sept. 28, at Fort Clinch State Park, 2601 Atlantic Ave. in Fernandina Beach. Free for spectators after park admission; $50 registration for show vehicles. Register your car or motorcycle at www.fortclinch.org.
NJBC Car Show: 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 28, at Jax Baptist Church, 8531 N. Main St. Free for spectators and show vehicles.
R.A.W. Music Festival and Car Show: 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Sat. Sept 28 at Flamingo Lake RV Park at 3640 Newcomb Road.
Cruisin’ to the Creek Car Show: 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 5, at Trout Creek Memorial Park, 6550 Florida 13 North in Northwest St. Johns County, just past the Shands Bridge. Free for spectators – show vehicles are $25 per; register at https://www.carcouncil.org/events. Proceeds benefit The Ronald McDonald House of Jacksonville.
Pearl Harbor Remembrance Car Show: 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 28, at the Orange Park Mall at 1910 Wells Road. Free for spectators and $20 per show vehicle.
45th annual Azalea City Cruisers Car Show: 9 a.m. on Saturday, Oct. 5, at the Putnam County Fairgrounds at 118 Fairgrounds Road in East Palatka. Spectators free; $20 pre-registration.
Morocco Shriners Fall Car Show and Festival: 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 12, at Happy Brew Coffee shop at 3200 Hendricks Ave. Spectators free; $20 registration for show vehicles.
Cruisin’ for Jesus Car Show: 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 12, at Truth Pointe Church at 5330 Dunn Ave. Free for spectators and $20 per show vehicle.
8 Flags Car Show: 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 19, on Historic Centre Street in Fernandina Beach. Spectators are free; show vehicles are $30 day of show.
British Classic Car Show: 8 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 19 at the Kings Head British Pub, U.S. 1.
Rev Out Cancer Pink Out Show: 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., Saturday and Sunday, Oct. 19 and 20, at Clay County Fairgrounds, 2463 Florida 16 in Green Cove Springs.
5th annual Trunk or Treat: 1 to 5 p.m. Saturday Oct. 26 at BJ’s at 15022 Max Leggett Parkway. Free for spectators and show vehicles – bring candy for the kids.
Classic and Vintage Car Show: 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 26, at Immanuel Anglican Church, 915 Orchid Ave. in Keystone Heights.
17th annual Back to the 50s Car Show: 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday, Nov. 9, at Moosehaven at 1701 Park Ave. Free for spectators and $425 for show vehicles day of show.
Ponte Vedra Auto Show: 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Sunday, Nov. 10, at Nocatee Station Field at 245 Nocatee Center Way in Ponte Vedra. Free for spectators and $60 – pre-registration only – per show vehicle.
Rigs and Rods at Callahan Speedway: 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Saturday, Nov. 16, at the speedway at 543455 U.S. 1 in Callahan. A fundraiser for the planned Callahan Dragstrip, it’s free for spectators and $25 per show entry, with food trucks, silent auction and more.
Ancient City Auto Club 40th anniversary Car Show: 8a.m to 2 p.m. on Saturday, Nov. 16, at the Florida School for the Deaf and the Blind, 207 San Marco Ave. in St. Augustine, Spectators free, show vehicles $30 day of show.
U.S.S. Orleck Car Show: 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 7, at the U.S.S. Orleck ship museum at 610 E. Bay St. Presented by NAPA Auto Care and Jacksonville Corvette Club, it is free for spectators (ship admission excluded) and $25 show vehicle pre -registration, or $30 day of show. Questions – email events@Jaxnavalmuseume.org.
Third annual Revved Up! Car, Truck and Bike Show: 4 to7 p.m. on Saturday, January 4, at GW Truck at 4930 Spring Park Road.
Down at the Bay Car Show: 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Jan. 25, at Cedar Bay Baptist Church, 11553 N. Main St. Free for spectators and $20 per show vehicle.
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…
Clay County Cruzers, Callahan Cruisers and Amelia Cruizers all hold regular weekend cruise-ins, so check their Facebook pages.
Caffeine and Octane Jacksonville: SUMMER HOURS – 7:30 to 10:30 a.m. every second Saturday at The Avenues Mall at 10300 Southside Blvd. Information: https://bit.ly/3gPRvVQ.
Brand new – Pharaohs St. Johns cruise-in: 9 a.m. to noon on Saturday, Aug. 31 and Nov. 30, at Trout Creek Memorial Park, 6550 Florida 13 North in Northwest St. Johns County, just past the Shands Bridge.
Mod Talk Tuesdays: 56 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 6 and every first Tuesday at Tequila’s Mexican Restaurant at 10915 Baymeadows Road. For car, truck and bike enthusiasts.
CANCELLED – Saturday Morning Cruise-and-Chill on the third Saturday of the month at Big Boy Airbrush.
Sunshine State Chevelles: 4 to 7 p.m. every third Monday of each month at 1937 Spirits and Eatery, 1842 Kings Ave in the San Marco area.
Players Grille Mandarin at 10140 San Jose Blvd., 4 to 7 p.m. every third Wednesday.
New – Fernandina Beach Car Meet: 6 p.m. on the first Saturday of the month at Famous Quick Lube, 1707 8th St. Fernandina Beach.
Returning – Jax Beach Classic Car Cruise: 4 to 7 p.m. each fourth Tuesday at the Seawalk Pavilion at 75 1st Street N. in Jacksonville Beach.
Classic Car Cruise-in at Orange Blossoms Beach Boulevard: 8 a.m. to noon each third Saturday of the month at Orange Blossoms, 14329 Beach Blvd.
Caffeine and Gasoline: 8 to 11 a.m. each first Saturday of the month at J-Tech Institute at 8813 Western Way in Jacksonville. House rules – “respect the property.” And J-Tech will be holding events to coincide with C & G with staff on site to give tours of the campus.
North Florida Domestic Car Club’s cruise-in: 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. each first Saturday of the month at the Crossroad Church UMC, 10005 Gate Parkway, includes Pop-Up Shop.
Wings & Wheels Cruise-in: 2 to 6 pm. each first Saturday at Dicks Wings & Grill at 6055 Youngerman Circle.
Rides and Coffee: 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. every fourth Sunday at Detail Garage, 9390 Arlington Expressway.
First Coast Car Council: All cruise-ins postponed.
Callahan Cruisers: 4 to 7 p.m. every second Saturday at Hardee’s at 542309 U.S. 1 in Callahan. The next cruise-in – Sat. Aug. 10 – is the event’s 10th anniversary.
Downtown Kingsland Cars & Coffee: New summer hours – 8 to 11 a/m/ each second Saturday at the Historic Downtown Kingsland Homegrown Market at U.S. 17 and Georgia 40.
Cruise Fruit Cove: The Sunshine State Chevelles’ cruise-in hours are 1 to 5 p.m. (winter hours) every third Saturday at the PDQ at 194 Florida 13 in Saint Johns, just south of Julington Creek.
New cruise-in: 1 p.m. every third Saturday at Hardee’s at 6852 Wilson Blvd.
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.; 3 to 6 p.m. every second Saturday at Dick’s Wings Fleming Island at 1803 E. West Parkway; New – 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. every third Saturday at Mr. Chubby’s Wings at 2349 Village Square Parkway in Fleming Island; 5 p.m. every third Friday at Hooter’s/Miller’s Ale House at 1756 Well’s Road – replaces Freddy’s; 3 to 6 p.m. every third Saturday at Woody’s BBQ at 1301 N. Orange Ave. in Green Cove Springs; and 2 to 5 p.m. every fourth Saturday at Gator’s Dockside Oakleaf, 316 Merchants Way, Jacksonville.
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 cruise-ins are 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: 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.
Show and Tell: 6 to 9 p.m. every fourth Thursday at Advance Auto Parts at 10014 Atlantic Blvd.
Azalea City Cruisers: Monthly cruise-in from 5 to 8 p.m. every fourth Saturday at Velchoffs Corner, 105 N. 2nd St. in Palatka.
Historic Springfield Main Street Cruise: 4 p.m. every fourth Saturday between 8th and 17th streets at Main Street in Jacksonville’s Springfield community.
Wait, there’s more…
For the first time in the history of the Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance, Best of Show was awarded to a preservation car—a Bugatti Type 59.
This year, 214 cars from 16 countries and 29 states pulled onto the competition field, and the car named Best of Show was a 1934 Bugatti Type 59 Sports presented by Fritz Burkard of The Pearl Collection in Zug, Switzerland.
“This storied Bugatti, the first Type 59 built, is a rare factory race car that recorded multiple Grand Prix victories at the hands of several important racing greats – and it also has ties to royalty,” Concours Chairman Sandra Button said in a news release. “Perhaps most importantly, it wears all of its history to this day, having been preserved in the livery it was given when redressed by King Leopold of Belgium.”
“I’m so happy for the car, so happy for Bugatti. This car is incredible,” added owner Fritz Burkard. “It’s so much history—one of the most successful Bugattis in history—and to win with this car means a lot to me. First time a Swiss, first time a European wins, first time a preservation wins. It’s important that preservation also gets recognition, because a car can only be once original. And it drives so beautifully.”
Preservation cars have appeared on our show field for decades, and we have hosted formal classes for them since 2001.
With this win, Bugatti and Mercedes-Benz are tied for the most Best of Show awards at Pebble Beach: ten wins each.
And a bit of Florida news from Pebble – the 1966 Cannara, owned by Guy Dirkin of Clermont, received the coveted Dean Batchelor award at last weekend’s Pebble Beach Concours d’Elegance. Geoffrey Hacker, president of the Undiscovered Classics collection in Tampa, curated the Wedge Car Class that included the Cannara and others.
Dirkin did extensive research into its place in wedge car history, while Rob Hernandez and Ralph Smith restored it.
Courtesy Meyers Manx
Meanwhile, a Jacksonville car guy got to be Grand Marshal at the Rolex Monterey Motorsports Reunion at Laguna Seca. And part of the fun was driving around in a radial-engined Tarmac Touring Edition Manx, made by the original VW dune buggy company, Meyers Manx.
The company says that the 2-liter/three-cylinder Bespoke Engineering’s Radial Motion engine delivers over twice the power of our standard VW engines lowered the front suspension by 2.5 inches, enhancing aerodynamics and delivering an unparalleled driving experience. With just six vehicles in this exclusive series
Supercar Xperiences – Dec. 13 to 15 – YOUR turn to get behind the wheel of a fleet of exotic cars at The FIRM’s 1.5-mile race track at 7266 Airport Road in Starke . Prices do not include Track Insurance (Starting at $39 per Car) which is required for drivers.
SPECTATOR PIT PASS – $10.