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:
Rodders for Christ: last Saturday at Journey Church West in Hilliard – proceeds helped Nassau County Sheriff’s Office’s Shop with Cops program….and deputies did some serious judging:
Pharaohs St. Johns cruise-in: last Saturday at Trout Creek Memorial Park in Northwest St. Johns County:
Upcoming events:
Annual Freedom Fest Car Show – Lifted vs. Lowered Edition: 3 to 7 p.m. on Saturday, 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 $25 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.
Middleburg Historic Fall Festival: 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturday, Nov. 16, at 2102 Palmetto St. Car show, plus live music and performers, craft and food.
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.
Pharaohs St. Johns cruise-in: 9 a.m. to noon on Saturday, Nov. 30, at Trout Creek Memorial Park, 6550 Florida 13 North in Northwest St. Johns County, just past the Shands Bridge.
Mod Talk Tuesdays: 5 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; 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…
Photo courtesy of Aston Martin
Calling it the most potent flagship in its 111-year history, Aston Martin announced the return of its most legendary nameplate this week – Vanquish. Highlights include a world-class V-12 engine, a bespoke chassis with state-of-the-art dynamics technology, carbon fiber bodywork and an interior which sets new standards of modern luxury, Aston says. And production is limited to under 1,000 examples a year.
Powered by a new 5.2-liter twin-turbo V-12 producing 823 hp, Vanquish achieves a top speed of 214 mph – the highest top speed of an Aston Martin series production car to date.
Hardware highlights of the new V-12 include a strengthened cylinder block and conrods, redesigned cylinder heads incorporating reprofiled camshafts, plus new intake and exhaust ports. Repositioned spark plugs and new higher flowrate fuel injectors deliver optimized combustion for class leading performance and efficiency gains. In addition, new higher speed, reduced inertia turbochargers deliver increased performance and throttle response.
A new front undertray and front crossmember bring additional gains in stiffness, the thicker front undertray supporting front subframe’s horizontal stiffness for improved steering feel and response. Re-engineered and repositioned rearwards to increase mounting point stiffness for the double wishbone front suspension, the new crossmember brings tangible improvements in on and off-center steering feel.
With an all-new surface language, Vanquish expresses contemporary elegance through its toned physique, broad stance and fluid curves. The key to achieving such compelling presence is an increased wheelbase; the distance between the A Pillar and the front axle being extended by +80mm to lengthen the bonnet for a rakish and indulgent profile.
Inside, a fully digital 10.25-inch driver display has been designed to deliver information with maximum clarity and offers custom display configurations. Similarly, the 10.25-inch Pure Black touchscreen system with full online connectivity, integrated with the repositioned center console, features technology with full capacitive single and multi-finger gesture control.
By changing the drive mode or using the dedicated exhaust button, the exhaust character can be changed from a relaxed, refined V12 tone in GT mode to an increasingly full-blooded, bold and assertive sound character when Sport and Sport+ modes are selected.
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.