Category: Dodge

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904 Automotive Events Calendar January 18, 2024

Jacksonville Car Culture events calendar 

The next Caffeine &Octane is set for 8 to 11 a.m. Saturday, Feb. 10 at The Avenues mall at 10300 Southside Blvd.

But here’s just a hint of the sculpted metal that rolled and rumbled into last Saturday’s packed event at The Avenues:

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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. 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.

Recent events:

Callahan Cruisers’ Saturday cruise-in at Hardee’s in Callahan was a memorial to Tom Poleski, and a packed crowd of cars and gearheads raised more than $4,000 to help the late Callahan Cruisers member’s family.

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And VFW Post 10095 at 37965 Eastwood Road in Hilliard is raffling off this T-bucket 

And….

Cars at the Bar – Sunshine State Chevelles’ third Monday of the month cruise-in at 1937 Spirits and Eatery, 1842 Kings Ave in the San Marco area.

Upcoming events:

Fifth annual Car Show: 8 a.m. Saturday at Suwanee County Coliseum, 1302 11th St. in Live Oak. 

Advance Auto Parts Show ‘n Tell: 6 to 9 p.m. Thursday at 10014 Atlantic Blvd.

Hot Rods and Harleys: 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 3rd, at Adamec Harley-Davidson at 380 Mall Outlet Blvd. in St. Augustine. Free for spectators and $30 for vehicle registration.

Frank. H. Petersen Academies Showcase Car and Truck Show: 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 3, at the school at 7450 Wilson Blvd. Free for spectators and $25 for vehicle registration.

Benefit Car and Truck Show: 3 to 6 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 10, at Jordan’s Auto, 10844 County Road 224 in Glen St. Mary, Fl. Free for spectators and $25 per show vehicle.

Cars of Purpose Rev Out Cancer Car Show: 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 10, at Calvary Assembly of God, 9 Knight Boxx Road, Orange Park. Free for spectators and $25 per show vehicle.

Seventh annual Pedro Menendez High School Athletic Booster Club Show: 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday Feb. 17, at the Classic Car Museum of St. Augustine, 4730 U.S. 1 S./Dixie Highway South in St Augustine. Free for spectators and $20 day of show for display vehicles. 

Second annual Nease NJROTC Classic and Exotic Car Show: 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 24, at the high school at 10550 Ray Road, off U.S. 1 in St. Johns County. Spectators free, and show vehicles $25 day of show.

12th annual Kruisin4Kids Car Show and burnout competition: 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturday, Feb. 24, at Dinsmore Baptist Church at 10500 Old Kings Road.

Strawberry Festival Car Show: 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, Feb. 24 and 25, at the Suwanee Count Fairgrounds, 1302 11th St. SW in Live Oak. This is a 2-day car show, free to spectators and $40 for show vehicles for both days – Sunday is a judged show; held by Florida Misfits Association and Mopar Muscle of North Florida.

Troop 77 Car Show: 8 a.m. to noon Saturday, March 9, at Old Plank Road Baptist Church, 8964 Old Plank Road. Free for spectators and $20 per show vehicle.

Town of Hilliard Car Show: 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Saturday, April 5, at 15859 West County Road 108. Free for spectators and $20 for vehicle registration.

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: 8 to 11 a.m. every second Saturday at The Avenues Mall at 10300 Southside Blvd. Information: https://bit.ly/3gPRvVQ.

***New cruise in: Abandoned Treasures: 5 to 8 p.m. on Saturday, Jan. 5, at Abandoned Treasures at 7358 Florida 21 in Keystone Heights. Featuring Beau and the Burners for live music.

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.

Pharaohs of St. Johns NEW cruise-in: 2 to 5 p.m. on the first Saturday of each month at Adamec Harley-Davidson at 380 Outlet Mall Blvd. in St. Augustine.

Saturday Morning Cruise-and-Chill: 9 a.m. to noon every third Saturday at Big Boy Airbrush in a neighborhood at 7822 Fox Tail Lane. 

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.

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 is a memorial to Tom Poleski, and a fundraiser for the late Callahan Cruisers member’s family.

Downtown Kingsland Cars & Coffee: 9 a.m. to noon 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.

Amelia Cruizers: 3 to 6 p.m. every third Saturday at Cold Stone Creamery, 808 Sadler Road, Fernandina Beach. The Amelia Cruizers Car Club will stage a cruise to the ice cream store, staging at 2 p.m. in the parking lot next to the closed Krystal’s (2020 Sadler Road), then make an informal parade along the ocean and on Centre Street through downtown to end at Cold Stone.

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 the OP Dreamette at 1177 Park Ave. in Orange Park; 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.

New cruise-in: Vaughn Motorgroup’s “Cars & Coffee Reunion” is 8 to 11 a.m. on the first Sunday of each month at dealership at 11350 San Jose Blvd. First Come First served on indoor parking.

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.

And …

Photo courtesy Stellantis

Dodge teased us with some “spy photos” this week of its upcoming Dodge Daytona redesign, showing off what appears to be a near-production version of the sleek-looking coupe set to replace a somewhat aged Challenger sedan. The coupes depicted seem identical to the Charger Daytona SRT concept, Dodge’s social media posting stating only that this was not a final vehicle, and that it will be available later this year.

What’s most interesting is a later image posted after the first round – a rear angle shot that appears to show a coupe without visible exhaust pipes. That just implies that the “Row C” image appears to be that of an electric Daytona, although a gas-engined model is also in the pipeline.

Photo courtesy Stellantis

Amelia Island Concours d’Elegance founder Bill Warner (and Jacksonville car guy) has already been named grand marshal for the Sebring SpeedTour, set for Feb. 22 to 25, at Sebring International Raceway.

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Now the Pittsburgh Vintage Grand Prix announces Warner as its choice for Grand Marshal of the 2024 Vintage Grand Prix Motorsport Festival, July 25 to Aug. 4. In 2022, Warner assumed the role of Chief Steward of the Rolex Historic Races, showcasing his dedication to preserving automotive history. FYI – he has a new book – The Other Side of the Fence: Six Decades of Motorsport Photography .

The Amelia concours d’elegance returns for its 29th iteration from Feb. 29 to March 3 of 2024. Multi-time NASCAR Cup Series champion Rick Hendrick, owner of Hendrick Motorsports and Chairman/CEO of Hendrick Automotive Group, is next year’s honoree – and that will include a special display of vehicles from Hendrick’s collection including the Garage 56 Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 that was prepared for the 2023 24 Hours of Le Mans. Special concours classes include Japanese performance cars of the 90s, Porsche: 911 The Original Owners Club, Cars of Pike’s Peak, Bugatti Type 57 as well as two classes featuring Ferrari 250 Competition and Grand Touring Cars.

Photo courtesy of PCA

Werks Reunion Amelia Island: The Porsche Club of America’s annual event from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Friday, March 1, at the Amelia River Club at 4477 Buccaneer Trail in Fernandina Beach. all Porsche clubs, owners, and enthusiasts to the eighth annual Werks Reunion. Expect a display of 500+ Porsches and dozens of vendors. Onsite spectator parking is $40 per vehicle; Porsche Corral display is $114 per car, while the Judged field is $164 per.

Kicking off The Amelia weekend is Classic Motorsports Magazine’s Amelia Island Kickoff presented by Sunoco at Fernandina Beach’s Main Beach Park, set for 1 p.m. on March 1. Spectator entry is free – Vehicle entry price is $45, and all cars must pre-register online – no registrations will be accepted at the show gate. Joining the Classic Motorsports Amelia Island Kickoff, the Concours d’Lemons is free for spectators – registration is just $20.

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904 Automotive Events Calendar 12-15-2022

Jacksonville Car Culture events calendar

Caffeine and Octane

The next Caffeine and Octane is set from 8 to 11 a.m. Saturday, January 14, at The Avenues mall’s Southside Boulevard parking lots.

At December’s show, C&O celebrated MOPARS in a special display within the Central Lot., while the Mercedes-Benz Club of America Southern Stars Section was the First Coast Car Council’s Car Club of the Month. The day began with fog, soon burned off by some hot cars:

Courtesy: David Grooms Photography

On Monday, the Jacksonville Car Culture team made a stop at Wolfson Children’s Hospital to deliver the new unwrapped gifts collected at the Jekyll Island Holiday Lights Adventure and Caffeine and Octane Jacksonville on December 10, 2022.

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 reminders – 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.

Fun past car events:

Old Town Classic Car Show: A classic amusement park at 5770 W. Irlo Bronson Memorial Highway in Kissimmee, it has held a Saturday night classic car cruise-in for most of its 34 years. In the shadow of its roller coaster and rides, we took a recent stroll through the Central Florida spot, which starts at 1 p.m. and welcomes show-quality 1985 and older hot rods, street rods and antiques – like these:

 

Cars will cruise at 8:30pm and all cars registered can participate.

Upcoming events….

Winter Fest Toy Drive: 7 to 10 p.m. on Friday at Autobahn Indoor Speedway & Events at 6601 Executive Park Court N. Staker Productions and Autobahn partner with Florida Baptist Children’s Home and One More Child to collect new unwrapped toys, diapers, blankets and clothes. Autobahn will be offering a 20% discount on their karts and axe throwing, plus 15% discount on all food and drinks!

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

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 cruise-in: 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. each first Saturday of the month at a new site – the Crossroad Church UMC, 10005 Gate Parkway.

Caffeine and Gasoline: Free first Saturday of the month cruise-in at 7 to 10 a.m. Saturday November 5, at J-Tech Institute at 8813 Western Way in Jacksonville. House rules – “respect the property.”

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: All cruise-ins postponed

Callahan Cruisers: 4 to 7 p.m. every second Saturday at Hardee’s at 542309 U.S. 1 in Callahan.

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.

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.

New cruise-in: 1 p.m. every third Saturday at Hardee’s at 6852 Wilson Blvd.

Amelia Cruizers: 3 to 6 p.m. every third Saturday at Cold Stone Creamery, 808 Sadler Road, Fernandina Beach. The Amelia Cruizers Car Club will stage a cruise to the ice cream store, staging at 2 p.m. in the parking lot next to the closed Krystal’s (2020 Sadler Road), then make an informal parade along the ocean and on Centre Street through downtown to end at Cold Stone.

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 Freddy’s Steakburgers at 386 Blanding Blvd.; 8 to 10 a.m. every fourth at Nicole’s Café at 1101Blanding Blvd. in Orange Park; 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 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.

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.

And finally….

The latest episode of “Barn Find Hunter” has host Tom Cotter looking at a 1963 Ford Mustang.

Wait, you say – the first Mustang was in 1964.5, right?

Well, this one is the 1963 prototype Ford Mustang that was once owned by Henry Ford II. In Tom’s video, the prototype Mustang’s current owner walks through the finer details of what exactly makes this one so different from the rest.

As for the 28th iteration of The Amelia, tickets are available for premiere concours d’elegance, with stock car legend Jeff Gordon as honoree on March 2-5.

The weekend’s events include a Saturday seminar featuring Gordon and NASCAR Hall of Fame crew chief Ray Evernham; chances to meet the legendary driver at Sunday’s concours; and a class of vehicles he drove and won in during his career. Details and tickets are at AmeliaConcours.com.

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SEMA Show 2022 Coverage

The Dodge Charger Daytona SRT Concept got a new suit – tri-coat Stryker Red – as it premiered this week at SEMA in Las Vegas.

The Specialty Equipment Market Association (SEMA) showed off the Banshee-powered battery-electric muscle car, as well as six “Last Call” 2023 Dodge Charger and Challenger special-edition performance cars. Dodge also showed off different steps in its electrified performance, with 400-volt system output levels of 340 kilowatts (456 hp) and 440 kilowatts (590 hp) and an as-yet-unannounced, factory-delivered, power-level 800-volt SRT Banshee powertrain package.

The SRT concept also had “Stage 2” fender badging and new 18-inch Direct Connection lightweight carbon-fiber concept wheels with 305mm drag radials.

Meanwhile, other MOPAR madness was at SEMA:

The Ram 1500 Backcountry X Concept had the RamBox cargo management system, custom designed RamPack and RamRack storage features, and RamGate task-bench with custom paint, stripes and more.

The Jeep CJ Surge Concept was converted into a true EV with scalable 400-volt, 200-kW Electric Drive Module, 24 lithium-ion battery modules, JPP off-roading mods and 35-inch BFGoodrich tires

And the motocross-inspired Ram 1500 TRX Gold Shot Concept has a 702-hp rating, Mopar retractable bed step, and custom metal skid plates atop Vintage Bronze 18-by-9.5-inch Black Rhino Chamber wheels paired with 37-inch BFGoodrich tires.

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2021 Dodge Charger SRT Hellcat Redeye Widebody Offers 797 Horsepower and Much More

The automotive world took notice when Dodge introduced the first “Hellcat” vehicles in 2014 for the 2015 model year. With a supercharged 707-horsepower V8 engine, the Hellcat Charger would become the most powerful production sedan ever created. Anticipation of seeing the new “cats” on the public roadways was palpable and their e arrival was loud, aggressive and often scary. Dodge’s new cats sent power to the rear wheels with a smoke-inducing vengeance, even with the tiniest of throttle.

Six years have passed and Dodge has expanded the Hellcat line up to include SUVs and with the all-new Dodge Ram 1500 TRX, pickup trucks. All of the variants boast over 700 horsepower. We’ve enjoyed doing the homework while reviewing the Jeep Grand Cherokee Trackhawk and we’re currently testing the ferocious TRX, but nothing pulls our enthusiast heartstrings like the tried and true four-door-five-passenger SRT Hellcat Charger.

Unsurprisingly, the 2021 Dodge Charger SRT Hellcat Redeye Widebody with its unique bodywork that features massive fender flares, put a smile on our faces that wouldn’t go away until we had to give it back. Even then we’d sit around and say things like “remember when we had the Hellcat Redeye Widebody?” and the goofy perma-grin would return.

Otherworldly Power and Performance

Powered by a 797-horsepower and 707 lb-ft of torque version of the inspired 6.2-liter supercharged V8 engine, the Redeye retains the title of the “most powerful and fastest mass-produced sedan in the world.” For lack of a better word, this engine is a beast. The supercharger whine is haunting. The exhaust sets off the neighbor’s car alarms and rattles house windows.

There is a good reason the Dodge marketing team opted to include the word “hell” in the sales brochure. Put the HP90 8-speed automatic transmission in drive, tap the throttle and the 20-inch wheels wrapped in 305/35ZR20 tires start to spin, usually without the car going anywhere. They will get traction eventually and when they do the car launches like a rocket ship. It is often scary as _ _ _ _.

Spacious Interior and Plenty of Cargo Space

While the supercharged V8 tends to get most of the attention, the Charger’s ponies are capable of more than a single trick. The spacious interior and ample cargo space make the Hellcat Charger one of the more useful family sedans on the market.

Considering the already family-friendly V6-powered Charger starts right around $30k, the Hellcat Widebody’s base price of $70k and the Redeye’s $80k jumping off point gives Dodge plenty of capital for improvement. With a long list of additional upgrades, our well-equipped test vehicle rang in at $87,165. At that price you expect more than a pretty face and a massive engine. For almost $90k you want heated and ventilated leather seats, suede and carbon fiber trim and unique visual cues. You are looking for that kind of substance and the Redeye delivers.

Rear seating is truly three people ready and the Charger’s trunk offers an incredible 16.5 cubic feet of useable cargo space. That’s enough room to accommodate a long weekend’s worth of luggage for a family of five.

Infotainment that Shines

We are longtime fans of Dodge’s intuitive and easy to navigate infotainment. The “Uconnect” system features at 8.4-inch touchscreen with Apple CarPlay and Android Auto capability. The system is found in much cheaper Dodge products where it completely rises above most of the competition. At $87k the system still shines, but feels more like it is “enough” than the segment show stealer that it is in a $25k vehicle. That said, the Hellcat’s special system features a long list of SRT performance apps that the lesser offerings don’t have.

We were also pleased with the optional 19-speaker Harman/Kardon audio system. The premium audio upgrade gives the speakers a chance to rise above the raucous of the supercharged V8, most of the time anyway.

Active Safety Technology

Dodge’s SRT Hellcat is equipped with blind-spot monitors, rear parking sensors and rear cross-traffic alert. Options include automatic emergency braking, adaptive cruise control and forward collision warning.

Do You Need a 2021 Dodge Charger SRT Hellcat Redeye Widebody?

Obviously the 797-horsepower Redeye isn’t for everyone. That said, it is a lot more useful than the initial marketing would suggest. How many drag strip ready cars are also perfectly equipped for the elementary school car pool lane? How about a rear seat that has room for THREE adults? Or a trunk that fits seven carry on bags?

Seems like we all need one…

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5th Annual Mopars on the Beach: A Myrtle Beach “Vacation for Mopar Enthusiasts”

Words and Photos by Erik Azar

Erik Azar is a motorsports enthusiast living in Northeast Florida. He is presently the VP of the Jacksonville Corvette Club and an active member of JAMS – Jacksonville Area Mopars where he enjoys attending motorsport events in his Jeep JK and Dodge Challenger Hellcat Redeye.

The 5th annual Mopars on the Beach in Myrtle Beach, SC – tailored as a Vacation for Mopar Enthusiasts took place from November 10-15, 2020. Like so many other motorsport events this year, Mopars on the Beach was postponed from its usual June timeframe. 

Mopars on the Beach was founded in 2016 by Tommy and Cathy Bridges of the Coastal Carolina Mopars, and with the help of their club members pulled off a successful event as they had to be agile and creative dealing with the current Covid-19 climate. This year saw over 300 attendees from 17 states traveling from as far away as Nevada and Arizona.

The week’s activities consisted of various Cruise-ins, Dyno Day, Charity Ride, and a Car Show. It’s a great way for Mopar enthusiasts to meet other like-minded people from all over the United States and develop new friendships.

This year even the late season Hurricane Iota wouldn’t put a damper on the activities and fun. The rain stopped Thursday evening allowing Friday’s Charity Ride and Saturday’s car show to take place with beautiful weather. 

Friday’s charity ride to the small town of Georgetown, SC ended up having more than double the number of attendees expected. The organizers did an excellent job coordinating with the local police departments to arrange police escorts and blocking major intersections for more than 100 cars to travel from site to site. The evening ended at The Landing at the Boathouse for dinner and prizes.

The main event and largest generator of donation funds for the charities was Saturday’s car show that hosted over 300 cars on display. The cars ranged from classic 60s-70s Mopar muscle, to modern muscle and custom Mopars – which provided something for everybody to enjoy.

For 2020 the event raised $13,000 that was evenly divided between two local charities:

·      Quilts of Valor local chapter – provides volunteer handmade quilts to service members and veterans that have been touched by war.

·      Lowcountry Food Bank – provides both the education and nutritious options needed by partner agencies and schools that serve our community

Next year’s Mopars on the Beach is scheduled for Nov 2-6, 2021 and will move to Broadway at the Beach, a popular tourist destination with shopping and entertainment. There will also be Drag Strip day on Thursday, Nov 4, 2021 at Darlington Drag Strip.

For additional information for Mopars on the Beach 2021 visit their website at https://moparsatthebeach.org. Or directly contact Tommy and Cathy Bridges – Coastal Carolina Mopars – (864)325-9660        coastalcarolinamopars@gmail.com

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Since 1983 Chrysler Leads The Minivan Charge: The 2019 Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid

The year was 1983. Ronald Reagan was president. Michael Jackson’s Thriller album topped the charts as the compact disc (CD) revolutionized the industry. Star Wars Episode VI: The Return of the Jedi ruled the box office and the first minivan rolled out of the factory at Chrysler.

1984 Plymouth Voyager instrument panel, driver’s console. First generation 1984-1990. Photo courtesy of FCA.

It looked like a van and drove like a big car. That may not sound like much in 2019, but in 1983 choices had to be made. If you wanted the convenience of a van, you bought something built on a truck chassis. Station wagons were holding down the fort, but even the largest wagon was a compromise if you needed maximum cargo space and room for more than five adults. Built on the popular Chrysler K-Platform, think Dodge Aires and Chrysler LeBaron, the 1984 model year Dodge Caravan and Plymouth Voyager sat changed the rules entirely.

2019 Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid. Photo courtesy of FCA.

Looking at history it only makes sense that the same manufacturer that delivered the first minivan would produce the industry’s first electrified model. As hybrid vehicles continue to grow in popularity, pointing to an electrified future, the Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid leads the charge (pun intended).

Powered by Technology

Powered by a V-6 gasoline engine and an innovative dual-motor eFlight electrically variable transmission, the Pacifica hybrid is powerful and efficient. Fuel economy is rated at an impressive 82 MPGe. Plug it in and with a full charge, the Pacifica has a range of 32 miles without using a drop of fossil fuel. Fill up the gas tank, drive perfectly and you’ll see 520-miles worth of road before you need to coast into a gas station.

2019 Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid. Photo courtesy of FCA.

The technology behind Chrysler’s Pacifica Hybrid is the game changer. The 1984 Caravan would likely wonder if the late model hybrid was designed using alien technology. The eFlite transmission features two electric motors which are both capable of driving the vehicle’s wheels. Not only is this efficient, but the result is smooth authoritative acceleration and immediate power when you need it for passing or entering busy highways.

Drives Like a Car (a really big one)

Launched for the 2017 model year, the Chrysler Pacifica sits on an all-new platform. Improvements across the board have yielded better handling, reduced noise levels and a ride that enhances both sportiness and comfort.

2019 Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid. Photo courtesy of FCA.

The minivan formula combines car-like driving dynamics with van-inspired interior appointments. The Pacifica Hybrid excels in both categories. The cabin is spacious with room for up to eight passengers. Seating is comfortable in all positions. The driver’s cockpit is well-designed and provides excellent access to the vehicle’s controls and view of the 7-inch full-color driver information display.

2019 Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid. Photo courtesy of FCA.

More Technology

We are long-time fans of Fiat Chrylser Automobile’s Uconnect infotainment system and the available version found in the Pacifica is the best example yet. In our review vehicle, the dashboard-mounted 8.4-inch touchscreen is joined by two 10-inch seatback mounted touchscreens. Operating the system is relatively easy and the options list continues to grow year after year. Smartphone integration is relatively seamless thanks the Pacifica’s standard Apple CarPlay and Android Auto and available 4G Wi-Fi.

2019 Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid. Photo courtesy of FCA.

Chrysler Pacifica’s standard audio includes six speakers and Active Noise Cancellation. However, considering the availability of dual 10-inch screens, it makes sense to round out the rolling theater experience with one of the two premium audio systems. Consumers can opt for a 13-speaker Alpine system or go all-in with a 20-speaker Harman Kardon surround sound system.

Safety technology is also abundant with more than 100 standard and available safety and security features. Highlights include parallel/perpendicular park assist, adaptive cruise control, forward collision warning and a 360-degree Surround View Camera.

2019 Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid. Photo courtesy of FCA.

It’s a Van Inside

SUV owners will argue that they have everything a minivan has, but the low cargo floor area found in minivans is the game changer. Offering 32.3 cubic feet of cargo space with all the seats in use and up to 140.5 cubic feet with both rear rows folded, the Pacifica holds its own in the cargo department with all but the largest gas-guzzling SUVs on the market.

2019 Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid. Photo courtesy of FCA.

Pricing

The 2019 Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid starts at $40,245 plus destination charges. Our nicely-equipped Limited model had a sticker price of $50,800, including a $1,495 destination charge.

Final Verdict

The 2019 Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid’s comfortable interior, long list of technology features and ample cargo space make it a fantastic family vehicle. Add in the 520 mile range, excellent fuel economy and stellar driving dynamics and the Pacifica is arguably the perfect cross-country trip vehicle. Turns out the only minivan option in 1984 remains one of the best options in 2019.

Chris Brewer is an automotive writer and photographer living in Northeast Florida. Chris is a regular contributor to numerous automotive magazines and founded Jacksonville Car Culture, an automotive lifestyle firm that runs Jacksonville’s Cars & Coffee. Chris also works as the director of communications for The Amelia Island Concours d’Elegance, a world-renowned automotive event and two-time winner of the International Historic Motoring Event of the Year award. He also has a doctorate degree from The Institute for Worship Studies.

Follow Chris on Facebook @jaxcarsandcoffee or @jaxcarculture

Or on Instagram at @jaxcarculture or @brewervintage

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Just Right: The 2019 Dodge Challenger R/T Scat Pack Widebody

When Dodge hints that they are going all in, you can count on it. Five years ago rumors began to circulate about a street legal factory muscle car that would change the rules. The car would have north of 700 horsepower and forever change the perception of “what is enough.”  The tire-melting, driveshaft twisting, drag strip terror 2015 Dodge Challenger Hellcat was unleashed and a new chapter in the horsepower wars began eventually resulting in a “Demon-possessed” 797-horsepower SRT Hellcat Redeye. The last bit of that sentence was actually cut and pasted from a Dodge press release…

While more really is more when it comes to late-model drag strip dominance, less may be more when it comes to real world driveability. For our needs, which rarely include crushing well-intentioned pony cars at the drag strip, a slighter version of the Challenger works perfectly. Give us the Hellcat Widebody’s glorious design, monstrous V8 and many of the features, but leave the supercharger and nearly $80k starting price at the dealer.

Enter the 2019 Dodge Challenger R/T Scat Pack Widebody.

Let’s get the important stuff out there first. The R/T Scat Pack model is powered by a normally-aspiratied 6.4-liter 392 HEMI V8 engine and a Tremec six-speed manual or a TorqueFlite eight-speed automatic transmission.  Either combination works brilliantly to send 485 horsepower and 475 lb-ft of torque through the hilariously-wide rear tires to the unexpectant roadways.

While we are proponents of the Hellcat, we unofficially named it “Family Car of the Year” in 2015, the power is probably more than you need for anything other than world record burnouts and scaring the in-laws. Trying to wrangle almost 800 horsepower when it’s starting to rain and you’ve been cut off by a minivan owner on their way to work can be treacherous. If the base V6 is a little cold and the Redeye is too hot, then the 485 horsepower Scat Pack might be the Goldilocks’ Challenger pick for “just right.”

The Challenger line up offers more than 70 available safety and security features. Highlights include Forward Collision Warning, adaptive cruise control, Blind-spot Monitoring and Rear Cross Path detection.

Add in FCA’s excellent UConnect infotaiment system, which is one of our favorites from any manufacturer, and the Challenger R/T Scat Pack Widebody becomes even more compelling as a daily driver. We have always found Fiat Chrysler Automobile’s system to be user friendly and highly functional.

Value:

The pricing is just right too. Dodge claims that the R/T Scat Pack “offers the most muscle for the dollar priced less than $40,000.” We won’t argue. With the manual transmission the 475-horsepower Challenger costs $39,245 which equates to about $83 a pony. Our Scat Pack included the widebody package. The model feature the same fender flares from SRT Hellcat Widebody. The flares add 3.5 inches to the overall width of the car. The Widebody sits on 305/35ZR20 Pirelli tires mounted to 20 x 11-inch alloy wheels. All in our review vehicle cost $54,120.

Final Verdict:

We love the retro styling of the Dodge Challenger. The new Scat Pack widebody model gives owners a chance to have the look and much of the power of the top-tier Hellcat Demon at a fraction of the cost. Families will likely find that the back seat limits the usefulness of the Challenger, but the huge front seats and truck make it one of the most comfortable late-model muscle cars you can buy.

Chris Brewer is an automotive writer and photographer living in Northeast Florida. Chris is a regular contributor to numerous automotive magazines and founded Jacksonville Car Culture, an automotive lifestyle firm that runs Jacksonville’s Cars & Coffee. Chris also works as the director of communications for The Amelia Island Concours d’Elegance, a world-renowned automotive event and two-time winner of the International Historic Motoring Event of the Year award. He also has a doctorate degree from The Institute for Worship Studies.

Follow Chris on Facebook @jaxcarsandcoffee or @jaxcarculture

Or on Instagram at @jaxcarculture or @brewervintage