Jacksonville Car Culture events calendar

The next Caffeine & Octane is set for 7:30 to 10:30 a.m. on Saturday, Nov. 9, 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 if you missed last Saturday’s packed, sunny C&O:

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.

Upcoming events:

8 Flags Car Show: 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday, 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 – yes, it will still be held there despite the pub’s recent closure.

Rev Out Cancer Pink Out Show: 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., Saturday and Sunday, at Clay County Fairgrounds, 2463 Florida 16 in Green Cove Springs.

Evangel Temple AG Middleburg Car Show: 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, at the church at 1798 Freedom Drive. Free for spectators and $20 per show vehicle.

Baker County Veterans Council car show: 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, at the county fairgrounds in MacClenny. 

Riverwalk Rev Fest: 9 a.m. to noon Sunday, at the Hannania corporate garage at 1200 Riverplace Blvd., presented by Staker Productions and Hannania Exotics. The theme is Euro vs. Muscle/

5^th 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.

Jax Speed Shop Car Show: 3 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 26, at 48 Lee Road. Free.

Fall-O-Ween Festival: Car show and trunk-or-treat from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 26, at Northside Church of God at 5252 Dunn Ave. Free for spectators and $20 per show vehicle, plus donation of five non-perishable food items.

Mandarin Touch-a-Truck: 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 26, at Trinity Baptist Church at 2955 Orange Picker Road. Quiet Time is from 10 to 11 a.m. Fire and police vehicles, plus tractors and dump trucks. Chevrolet Birthday Bash: 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Saturday, Nov. 2, at the Northeast Florida Fairgrounds, 543378 U.S. 1 in Callahan. Free for spectators and $25 per show vehicle.

Touch A Truck: 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 2, at the Clay County Fairgrounds on Florida 16 in Green Cove Springs .Sit behind the wheel of a fire truck, or check out a police car – dozens of fire, police, emergency services, construction vehicles and heavy machinery free at the fairgrounds. Visitors can view the vehicles during quiet time from 9 to 11 a.m., or see them in action during the lights and sounds portion from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. 

17^th 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.

22^nd annual Cecil Pines Adult Community Antique Auto Show: 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday, Nov. 9, at 6008 Lake Cove Road. Free for spectators and show vehicles.

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 40^th anniversary Car Show: 8 a.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.

Annual Frank H. Peterson Career Academy Car Show: 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday, Nov. 23, at the school at 7450 Wilson Blvd. Free for spectators and $25 per show vehicle – tours of the schools communications, culinary, aviation, cosmetology, robotics, automotive and early childhood programs.

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.

Inaugural Jacksonville Toys for Tots Rally: 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 7. Hit the roads of central Florida for charity in support of underprivileged children –  not open to spectators, and advanced registration is required. Hosted by AutoLyfeStyle, WheelHouse and Porsche Jacksonville, and sponsored by Hagerty and WolvesDen Customs, advance Registration is $125 per car (Driver and One Passenger), and $50 of unwrapped, unopened toys are required per car.

Hotwheelz3K Car Show: 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 7, at Conviva Care center, 11240 Beach Blvd. Spectators free, and $440 per show vehicle.

Mandarin Athletic Association Benefit Car Show: 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 15, at  3750 Burnett Park Road. Free for spectators and $20 day of show for entrants.

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: 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. every first Tuesday at Tequila’s Mexican Restaurant at 10915 Baymeadows Road. For car, truck and bike enthusiasts.

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.

Baker County Veterans Council Classics and Hot Rod Cruise-in: 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday at the Baker County Fairgrounds at 5567 Lauramore Road in MacClenny. Free.

Old Timers Car Meet: 8 to 10:30 a.m. Saturday at O’Reilly Auto Parts at 3842 Sunbeam Road. Free.

New – Fernandina Beach Car Meet: 6 p.m. on the first Saturday of the month at Famous Quick Lube, 1707 8^th St. Fernandina Beach.

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. Saturday, Nov. 2, and 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 10^th 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. 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. 

Brunch with Cars: noon to 3 p.m. this and every third Sunday at Pink Salt Restaurant and Wine Bar, 1567 University Blvd. W.

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. 2^nd 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…

Photos courtesy Chevrolet

The 2025 Chevrolet Corvette ZR1 is now the fastest car ever built by an American auto manufacturer.

At a test track in Germany, General Motors President Mark Reuss drove a 2025 Corvette ZR1 233 mph, setting a top speed record unrivalled by any current production car priced under $1 million. The Corvette team set this two-way average speed on the northbound and southbound straightaways of the High-Speed Oval Track at ATP Automotive Testing Papenburg.

“Setting the top-speed record in the Corvette ZR1 is a true triumph for Corvette and for Chevrolet, and also an exhilarating, surreal experience for me personally,” said Reuss. “With the current generation’s switch to mid-engine, we knew the outstanding performance and balance made this a real possibility. To go over there and get it done is a testament to the power of ZR1, and to the incredibly talented team that developed and built it.”

Photos courtesy Chevrolet

The ZR1 features the most powerful V8 engine ever produced in America by an auto manufacturer. Corvette shifted to mid-engine architecture in 2020, engineers leveraging GM’s software, modeling, and hardware development knowledge to set a new speed benchmark for American automakers. The ZR1 coupe which set the record had a standard chassis and aero package, with a standard spoiler with short wicker, carbon fiber ground effects, Michelin Pilot Sport 4S tires and aluminum wheels. Chevrolet engineers developed Top Speed Mode, exclusively for closed course use, which adjusts chassis control systems for maximum speed. The ZR1 reached 233 mph with the engine at redline in sixth gear.

Photos courtesy Aston Martin

Aston Martin presents the DB12 Goldfinger Edition, crafted by the ultra-luxury marque’s bespoke personalization service, Q by Aston Martin, in celebration of 60 years of the iconic association between Aston Martin and the James Bond film franchise.

The partnership in cinematic history began with the release of Goldfinger in 1964, when the Aston Martin DB5 made its silver screen debut. The DB5 went on to become one of the world’s most recognizable cars and a crucial step in the brand’s illustrious ‘DB’ bloodline. Now, the latest evolution gets the 007 treatment.

To mark this historic milestone, just 60 DB12 Goldfinger Editions will be released worldwide. The DB12 Goldfinger Edition is focused on providing a more indulgent James Bond driving experience, incorporating subtle touches from the Goldfinger film.

Presented in the iconic Silver Birch paint color synonymous with the DB5 in Goldfinger, the DB12 Goldfinger Edition has 21” multi-spoke wheels with a unique silver color, gold side strakes and a unique Aston Martin logo in silver with a black enamel. 

Photos courtesy Aston Martin

Crowned with a bright chrome ‘Q’ fender badge gives confirmation that this DB12 has received some truly special touches.

Inside this special edition, the leather Sports Plus seats are finished in the classic DB5 fluted style with an intricate Prince of Wales check perforation pattern, in a nod to a classic James Bond suit. This pattern extends to both the door inserts and the headliner, as well as being etched onto a unique treadplate. A polished sill plaque adorns the Goldfinger 60th anniversary logo.

Adding an elevated level of ultra-luxury to the interior of the car and awaiting the driver’s touch is 18k Gold Plated interior accents.

Photos courtesy Aston Martin

A subtle nod for Bond aficionados is the ’eight of hearts’ embroidered onto the drivers’ sun visor, which references the playing card seen in last draw during the famous Miami pool scene in Goldfinger. Each Aston Martin DB12 Goldfinger Edition is presented with a custom car cover and luxury key presentation box, along with a Silver Birch Speedform model and a section of the iconic Furka Pass scene in Goldfinger in 35mm film. 

Courtesy of The Amelia/Hagerty

The Amelia by Hagerty celebrates 30 years of global motoring excellence as it returns to Golf Club of Amelia Island and The Ritz-Carlton Resort from March 6 – March 9, tickets at AmeliaConcours.com.

The concours’ featured classes include:

• Corvette at Sebring. The Corvette became a serious sports car in 1956, debuting at Sebring and winning both the SCCA and Cal Club championships that year. Nearly 70 years later, hundreds of Corvettes have raced and scored victories at Sebring, which plays host to the biggest names in racing and is part of the Triple Crown of endurance racing including the 24 Hours of Daytona and the 24 Hours of Le Mans.
• Alfa Romeos of the 1930s. Alfa Romeo began the 1930s as it ended the 1920s; dominating Italy’s sports car and competition scene. In all, from 1894 to 1949, Alfa won more international races than any other marque, Bugatti, and Mercedes-Benz included.
• Formula 1 Cars 1950-Present. The FIA Formula One World Championship has been one of the world’s premier forms of racing since its inaugural running in 1950. Always centered around single-seat, open wheel racers, F1 continues to attract the world’s best drivers and builders who create cars that push the technological envelope. Today 24 races held across five continents lead to a World Championship for one driver and one constructor/manufacturer. 

Since its inception in 1996, The Amelia has donated more than $4 million to deserving non-profit and charitable organizations. In keeping with past tradition, The Amelia will continue to support Spina Bifida of Jacksonville, local Shop with Cops programs, and Community Hospice and Palliative Care.

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.