Category: Reader’s Rides

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904 Events Calendar October 13, 2021

Huge turnout under sunny skies last Saturday for Caffeine and Octane, Chapter 4 There were 1,000-plus vehicles on scene – Volkswagens and Mustangs and Zs and kei cars and everything else – see for yourself……..

The next Caffeine and Octane Jacksonville cruise-in is from 8 to 11 a.m. on Saturday, Nov. 13, at the Avenues Mall at 10300 Southside Blvd. highlighting BMW M cars and the Ford Bronco (a new one at an earlier C&O below) in a special display within the Central Lot. Click here to register your vehicle for the BMW M or Ford Bronco special feature area.

As always, there will be a Porsche section, and an exotics area as well as hundreds of vintage and classic cars, muscle cars and so much more. And don’t forget official Caffeine and Octane merch is on sale on scene. Check out more at firstcoastcarculture.com/contact-us.

Ponte Vedra Auto Show: The 2021 Ponte Vedra Auto Show returns on Sunday, Nov. 14. And this year, it adds a first-time A1A Cruise the night before on the same site as the auto show the next day.

The A1A Cruise runs from 6 to 9 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 13, at the event field at 245 Nocatee Center Way in Ponte Vedra Beach, and it is free and open to any classic or modern sports car, motorcycle or specialty/exotic.

Then from 10 a.m. until 3:30 p.m. that Sunday, the Ponte Vedra Auto Show is presented by Art ‘n Motion in association with the St. Johns County Chamber of Commerce and the St. Johns County Tourism Development Council at the same grass field. The show, with some of last year’s event shown here, is free for spectators, and $40 to register a show vehicle. Event parking is free. To register a classic car or truck, supercar or modern collector/custom/hot rod, log onto https://pvautoshow.com/register-for-show-1. Only pre- registered cars will be allowed onto the Sunday show field.

Off-Road United Foundation seventh annual Krawl’n For The Fallen: November 12th to the 14th at the Florida International Rally & Motorsports Park (F.I.R.M) at 7266 Airport Road in Starke. The nonprofit Off-Road United Foundation supports law enforcement, fire fighters, EMS, service members, line-men and tow truck drivers. Krawl’n For The Fallen was started in 2015 to give back to Concerns Of Police Survivors National and support survivor retreats and kids camps. It has set a minimum donation goal of $80,000 to C.O.P.S each year.

This year’s event expects 2,000 attendees, 1,000 Jeeps and 12 local/state and federal law enforcement agencies.

Gates open at noon on Friday Nov. 12, with a nighttime concert planned for those camping on property. Gates open at 8:30 a.m. on Sat. Nov. 13, with opening ceremonies, open trails, K9 demos, a 5K Running 4 Heroes and more. There’s a Saturday night ride to honor those who we have lost from the year. For information, registration and ticket prices, go to https://bit.ly/3oEPDEK.

Car Shows:

25th Annual Amelia Cruizers 8 Flags Car Show: 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturday along Centre Street in historic Fernandina Beach. Free to spectators and $25 for show vehicle if pre-registered at https://bit.ly/3zXA7pw. The annual show benefits the Justin Hess Scholarship Foundation.

A Car Show For A Cause: 2 to 7 p.m. Saturday at First United Methodist Church of Jacksonville, 225 E. Duval St. Spectators are free, with $25 registration for show vehicles day-of-event. Presented by Resurrection Car Club and Next Generation Outreach Ministry.

Evangel Temple Assembly of God Middleburg Car Show: 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday at the church at 5040 County Road 218. Spectators are free; show vehicles are $20 per, the event hosted by Clay County Cruzers. 

Annual Car Show: 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday Oct. 23, at Paxon Revival Center Church, 5461 Commonwealth Ave. Free.

St. Augustine Fall Fling Car Show: 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 24, at the St Johns County Fairgrounds, 5840 Florida 207 in Elkton. Free to spectators and $20 day of show for display vehicles.

Southside Business Men’s Club Annual Car Show: 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 30, at Fields Cadillac at 7999 Blanding Blvd.

Trunk or Treat Car & Bike Show: 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Sunday, Oct. 31, at Adamec Harley-Davidson, 380 Outlet Mall Blvd. in St. Augustine. Free for spectators and $20 for show vehicles, with live music from “Bluesdog 66.” Hosted by Callahan Cruisers of North Florida.

Dixie Chapter Pontiac Club Fall Classic: 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sat. Nov. 6, at the Classic Car Museum of St. Augustine, 4730 U.S. 1 S./Dixie Highway South in St Augustine. Open to all Pontiacs, Overland or GMC truck, it’s free to spectators and $25 for show vehicles day of show.

Hobos, Hot Rods and Heroes Festival and Car Show: 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 6, at the West Nassau Museum of History 45383 Dixie Ave. in Callahan. Live entertainment, arts and crafts, model trains and a car show hosted by Callahan Cruisers and Cochrane’s Collision Center.

Callahan Motorsports Expo: 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 6, and 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Sunday, Nov. 7, at the track at 543455 U.S. 1 in Callahan. Dirt and asphalt racing, radio-controlled and more, admission $10 per person per day.

Jtech Cars, Stars and Stripes Car Show and Drive-in Movie: 3 p.m. Sat. Nov. 6, at Jtech at 8813 Western Way. Double feature with “Cars” and “Thunder Road, starts at dark, $15 per car. Hosted by First Coast Car Council.

Prince of Peace fourth annual Car Show: 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday Nov. 13 at the church at 6320 Bennet Road. Free to spectators and $25 day-of-show for show vehicles.

Moosehaven 11th Annual Chili Cook-Off: 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday Nov. 13 at Moosehaven at 1701 Park Ave. in Orange Park. A classic car show, Kids Zone, arts and crafts, live entertainment and a chili cook-off, plus NASCAR driver Ross Chastain and his Moose-sponsored No. 42 show car. Free for spectators and $5 to judge the chili. The event benefits K9s For Warriors.

10th Annual Exotic & Luxury Car Show: 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 13, at Porsche Jacksonville, 11211 Atlantic Blvd. Free for spectators and $50 registration for show vehicles. Proceeds will benefit Homes For Our Troops.

Cecil Pines Antique Car Show: 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 13, at Cecil Pines Adult Living Community, 6008 Lake Cove Ave. Free to spectators and show vehicles.

14th Annual Back to the Fifties Car Show: 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 13, at Moosehaven at 701 Park Ave, Orange Park. Hosted by the Clay County Cruzers, NASCAR Cup Series driver Ross Chastain and his No. 42 car will be there.

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.

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.

Jacksonville Caffeine and Gasoline: 7 to 10 a.m. on every first Saturday at the Orange Park Mall at 1910 Wells Road in Orange Park. 

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, 1803 East-West Parkway in Fleming Island; 5 p.m. every third Friday at Freddy’s Steakburgers at 386 Blanding Blvd.; 9 to 11 a.m. every fourth Saturday at Nicole’s Café, 2216 S. Mimosa Ave. in Middleburg; and 2 to 5 p.m. every fourth Saturday at Gator’s Dockside Oakleaf, 316 Merchants Way, Jacksonville.

First Coast Car Council events: 5 to 8 p.m. every first Saturday at Mission Barbecue, 8440 Blanding Blvd., Jacksonville; and 5 to 8 p.m. each second Saturday at Medical & Merchants Center of Mandarin, 11701 San Jose Blvd.

Cruise Night at Beachwalk: 5 to 8 p.m. every second Friday at the Beachwalk Amenity Center, 1000 County Road 210 in St. Johns.

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.

Cruise Fruit Cove: 4 to 8 p.m. every third Saturday at the PDQ at 194 Florida 13 in Saint Johns, just south of Julington Creek.

Amelia Cruizers: 4 to 7 p.m. every third Saturday at Cold Stone Creamery, 808 Sadler Road, Fernandina Beach.

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: 7 to 10 a.m. every third Sunday of the month at the New Vision Theatre at 1820 Town Center Blvd., Fleming Island.

White Brothers Auto Parts Cruise-in: 5 to 8 p.m. every second Friday at 405 Lane Ave. N.

Johnny Angels: 6:30 to 9:30 p.m. every third Friday at Johnny Angels diner at 3546 St. Johns Bluff Road S. 

Historic Springfield Main Street Cruise: 4 p.m. every fourth Saturday between 8th and 17th streets at Main Street in Jacksonville’s Springfield community.

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Jacksonville Car Culture Jekyll Island Holiday Lights Cruise Shines Bright

Many thanks to everyone who participated in the Jacksonville Car Culture Holiday Lights Cruise on Jekyll Island. The overnight invite-only event provided a much needed break from the day-to-day routine and the often depressing reality that is 2020. Masks were required at all events and physical distancing was encouraged at all times.

A stunning BMW i8 sparkles under the holiday lights. Photo courtesy of Deremer Studios, LLC

We are grateful for the amazing team at The Westin Jekyll Island. Our host hotel worked diligently to help us put this wonderful event together. Whether is was hot cocoa and cookies around the courtyard fire, lining up the cruise vehicles in front of the hotel, late night drinks from the bar or a hot coffee from The Westin Cafe, the incredible hospitality, luxurious accommodations and idyllic setting were the perfect match for our exclusive event. We honestly couldn’t have asked for anything more.

View the weekend highlights video by Deremer Studios, LLC.
The Westin Jekyll Island, our host hotel. Photo courtesy of Deremer Studios, LLC.
The Westin Jekyll Island, left photo courtesy of Deremer Studios, LLC.

Thank you to Mosaic, Jekyll Island Museum for opening up after hours for our group. The time outside under the beautiful lights and touring the incredible museum that tells the story of the Island was one that we will not soon forget.

Mosaic, Jekyll Island Museum. Photos courtesy of Deremer Studios, LLC
The Ford GT, an instant holiday classic. Photo courtesy of Deremer Studios, LLC

Special thanks to the Hampton Inn & Suites Jekyll Island for providing a delicious breakfast for our group on Saturday and to Life is Good for offering a wonderful little memento of our trip to the entrants.

  • Hampton Inn & Suites, Deremer Studios, LLC
  • Life is Good
Acura’s new NSX in a very festive Santa-approved red. Photo courtesy of Deremer Studios, LLC

Last but not least, thanks to Deremer Studios, LLC., the official photographer of Jacksonville Car Culture.

Don’t worry if you missed this adventure, the Jacksonville Car Culture team is already planning the next one! Stay tuned to our social media channels or this website for details.

Happy Holidays,
Chris, Abbi and the entire team at Jacksonville (First Coast Car Culture)

To view the Jacksonville Car Culture Jekyll Island Holiday Lights Cruise photo gallery visit:

https://www.deremerstudios.com/Automotive-Photography/Car-Culture-Events/2020-12-Jax-Car-Culture-Jekyll-Christmas-Cruise/

The formidable Porsche GT2, about as 911 as it gets. Photo courtesy of Deremer Studios, LLC

Thanks to Hagerty for being a long-time Jacksonville Car Culture partner and supporting the cruise.

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Reader’s Rides – Cody from Jacksonville, Florida

Cody's 2017 Nissan 370Z

About The Car:

2017 Nissan 370Z

“I was in a head on collision that totaled my 2012 mustang GT. A few weeks later I met my (soon to be) wife and consulted her while I was in the market for a new car. After having one sports car totaled I was not discouraged in my ownership of a performance driving machine.

I was considering the 370Z, GT86, and 2017 Camaro ZL1. I was a few months from being deployed so it was ether get something lower down now or wait till post deployment and get a ZL1. I decided to get something then and build it up as I went. I had a friend take me to the nissan dealership as they had the base model 370Z.

Cody’s 2017 Nissan 370z on the showroom floor with 67 miles on the odometer. Magnetic black with graphite grey wheels and black interior. Photos courtesy of Cody.

After sitting in it I was set, I didn’t even need to go look at the GT86. Four hours later after a lot of haggling over the price I walked out with the keys to a 2017 Nissan 370Z from the show room floor with 67 miles on the odometer.

One of the first things I did was drop in a set of resonated down pipes to get rid of the constricted exhaust sound. As I was working on this I had just removed the cats when the auto hobby center on the base had to close. I left, moving my car with open headers out of the shop and to the parking lot where I was hit by a distracted driver on the driver quarter panel and wheel and he pushed on and creased my door as well. Insurance covered the $4,500 in damage. The collision center worked on my car after I left for deployment just two days after the accident. My wife, who was my girlfriend at the time, and her mom picked my car up from the shop for me.

Upon returning home for a month break in our deployment, I installed my down pipes. Sounded amazing but there was still some restriction from the factory intakes. After that deployment I married my wife. A few months passed and we began working up to another deployment. I had to leave for a month in the middle of moving into our new house. When I returned my wife had bought me a cold air intake I had been looking at before I left.

With the restrictiveness of the factory components removed I put the breaks on modifications for few months then I bought a set of pedal covers, a 5 point harness, and weighted shift knob. Fast forward till after second deployment and I got a bucket seat where in I manufactured my own seat brackets. After that it was time for new tires and with that I installed slotted rotors and higher temp brake pads. Puts us at the current time in history.”

Cody’s Story

“I was born and raised in Alaska. Single income poverty line family of six. My step dad worked in construction and as a hunting guide during summer months. Winters were slow for him, so we were always under the pressure of making bills.

Cody and his Z .

As I grew up I was interested in trucks, dirt bikes, guns, and airplanes. The last I pursued to a great extent; working at the local airport for an aircraft mechanic as work study at the age of fourteen. I was home schooled, so it was not uncommon for me to do my school late in the evening after spending eight to ten hours in the hanger. I was also a participant in the Talkeetna branch of Build a Plane.

After my boss at the airport moved, I went to work for a machine shop making aircraft parts but was forced to quit after my school load took up too much time and I was unable to balance a full time job there. Later that school year I went to work on tourist aircraft for a few months.

Cody’s favorite co-pilot

After graduating I enrolled in AVTEC, a trade school in Seward AK. I started in their industrial electrical program but due to difficulties in understanding and keeping pace with the other thirty one students, the two instructors encouraged me to move to a different program. I did and found a last minute seat in the structural welding program.

Now for a later life point of view – I was not the greatest student. But I had a natural talent for welding and it was the program I initially wanted to get into but it had been full at the time I had enrolled earlier. After graduating with high marks. I went to work for my parents company that was still in the process of growing while I waited for my resume to be noticed. But after half a year I enlisting in the navy as an AE.

After boot camp and initial schooling I got orders to a helicopter squadron in Jacksonville Florida. Where I discovered trucks were impractical, but sportscars?

Thus my car guy phase started and has been fueled since, with no indication of stopping.”

Interested in showcasing your ride? Send us a message at chris@firstcoastcarculture.com