Jacksonville Car Culture events calendar
Caffeine and Octane
The next Caffeine and Octane is set from 8 to 11 a.m. Saturday, December 10, at The Avenues mall’s Southside Boulevard parking lots.
This month, we celebrate MOPARS in a special display within the Central Lot. Submit your ride for consideration at www.caffeineandoctane.com. And it’s a holiday toy drive, so bring a new unwrapped toy for donation.
But last week’s post-Tropical Storm C&O rocked the parking lot.
Hint – the first car is a 1929 Stearns and Knight, with 145-inch wheelbase and a sleeve-valve engine.
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.
And check out the official photos of last weekend’s C&O as lensed by Deremer Studios.
20th Annual Ponte Vedra Auto Show: Here’s a sneak peek at some of what was arrayed across the Nocatee Station Event Field at 400 Nocatee Center Way in Ponte Vedra Beach last Sunday:
A 1965 AC Cobra owned by a new Ponte Vedra Beach resident ….and a swarm of very nice, and rare Zs.
A full report and winners next week…..
Upcoming car events:
Images courtesy Deremer Studios
Jacksonville Car Culture holds its annual December 2 and 3 Holiday Lights Tour and motoring event on Jekyll Island, with an optional cruise up to the site from the River City Marketplace at 5:30 p.m. the first night.
Jekyll Island is about 70 miles from downtown Jacksonville, a small fee required to enter the former winter vacation spot for the millionaires of old. The run includes the Jekyll Island holiday event, while participants can also reserve an overnight stay at the Courtyard Jekyll Island or Residence Inn Jekyll Island on December 2 and an exclusive Caffeine and Octane event on that Saturday.
The cruise is limited to 50 vehicles, cost:$100 for driver and passenger, plus the cost of the hotel room, base rate $169 plus fees/taxes. Participants are asked to bring an unwrapped toy for Wolfson Children’s Hospital. For full information and to register, go here.
And the upcoming cars shows….
Fall Cruisin’ to the Creek 2022: Due to Hurricane Ian, Cruisin’ to the Creek is postponed until 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturday, December 3, 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.
Cars and Movies: 7 to 10 p.m. this Friday at Autobahn Indoor Speedway & Events, 6601 Executive Court Park North, off Philips Highway just north of Butler Boulevard. Staker Productions presents a car show and drive-in movie with movie theater favorites like popcorn, candy and drinks available for sale, plus some favorite car-based film classics. In honor of Thanksgiving, a canned (non-perishable) food drive will be held, food donations to local homeless shelters.
Motortopia Car Truck and Bike Show: 8 a.m. – 5 p.m. on Friday; 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. on Saturday at Don Garlits Museum of Drag Racing, 13700 SW 16th Ave, Ocala. Open to all makes and models (even cars and motorcycles). Admission is $23 per person; kids 12 and under are free; and $53 for early show vehicle registration. The Drag Racing Museum will be open free. Awards are Saturday night at 7:30 under the lights!
Holiday Matsuri Car Show at The FIRM (Florida International Rally and Moto Park): 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday, December 3, at the road course and rally course at 7266 Airport Road in Starke. Called the largest single day drift event in Florida, it includes a Toys for Tots toy drive. No charge to be in the car show, with free parking. Drift event tickets are $20 per person at the gate ($15 if purchased online, see link).
Cruisin’ and Crossin’ 4 Kids Car, Truck and Motorcycle Show: 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday Dec. 4, at the WW Ranch Motocross Park at 1439 Otis Road in Jacksonville. Spectators are $5 per adult. Kids under 10 free, while show vehicle are $30 each. Burnout contest at 1 p.m.
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…
Genesis unveiled its X Convertible concept in California, a four-passenger open-roof concept.
“Genesis started life by producing sedans mainly targeting business users,” ,” said Chief Creative Officer, Luc Donckerwolke. “While creating a new, differentiated design DNA, we gradually increased the emotional appeal by applying this DNA to the SUV typology. Now, electric powertrains have given us the perfect scenario in which to enjoy nature, and propelled the brand to create vehicles with even greater emotional resonance.”
The X Convertible concept lineage can be traced back to the X Concept, a two-door grand tourer that showcased Genesis’ Athletic Elegance design language. The X Speedium Coupe concept, the second car in the trilogy, displayed the brand’s signature Athletic Elegance in an even more progressive way. It also showcased an evolution of the Genesis Crest Grille, which evolved into a lighting signature to signify its electric powertrain. The X Convertible concept takes the X Speedium Coupe concept further up the emotional scale.
Beyond the Common Denominator of Athletic Elegance
Combined with its folding hardtop roof that integrate transparent moon roofs above the front occupants to provide an open feel even when closed, the concept has a long bonnet, generous dash-to-axle, short front overhang and long wheelbase are drawn rearwards towards the long deck.
Meanwhile, Toyota calls this the Prius evolving under the “Hybrid Reborn” concept.
The new Prius inherits the unique monoform silhouette of the original and employs a wide and low stance with large-diameter tires to create stylish designs that appeal to the senses, Toyota said. With the fifth-generation hybrid system and second-generation TNGA platform, the Series Parallel Hybrid (HEV) models launch in winter this year, and Plug-in Hybrid (PHEV) models launch in spring 2023.
