Month: December 2021

Jacksonville Car Culture events calendar

Caffeine and Octane Jacksonville: It’s 8 to 11 a.m. on Saturday, January 8 at The Avenues mall’s south side at 10300 Southside Blvd. Cars should start arriving by 7 a.m., the best way in through Malabar Boulevard off Southside Boulevard.

Next month, we highlight Classic Japanese Vehicles in a special display within the Central Lot.

Submit your ride for consideration here to join the estimated 1,000-plus cars, trucks and more at the free cruise-in. Caffeine and Octane Jacksonville is an all makes, all models show, and remember – parking spots are first come/first serve.
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.

Official Caffeine and Octane merchandise is on sale at all Caffeine and Octane Jacksonville events.

Check out more at firstcoastcarculture.com.

Event news

The Amelia Concours d’Elegance offers heartfelt condolences to the family and friends of racing superstar Al Unser Sr., the event’s 2017 honoree.

Unser Sr. died Dec. 9 at his home in Chama, New Mexico, his wife Susan by his side, according to the Indianapolis Motor Speedway.

“When we started to think about an honoree for 2017, Big Al seemed like the perfect choice,” Chairman Emeritus and concours founder Bill Warner said. “He proved us right, accepting our invitation with the modesty that has practically become his trademark. He always had time for his fans and was never too busy to stop and talk and sign as many autographs as necessary to keep his fans happy. He was a pure racer day or night, regardless of the venue or the weather. Big Al made us proud to be called ‘The Racers’ Concours’.”

Unser Sr. won the Indy 500 four times. Unser’s Indianapolis 500, and is the only Indy winner to have both a brother and a son who are “500” winners. “Big Al” led the most Indy 500 laps in history.

 Photo courtesy of The Amelia Concours d’Elegance/ Deremer Studios, LLC

 Al Unser Sr. at the 2017 Amelia Concours. Photo courtesy of The Amelia Concours d’Elegance/Deremer Studios LLC.

In 1970, the year of his first Indy 500 victory, Unser won a record 10 times to capture the United States Auto Club’s National Championship. In 1978 he became the only racer to win all three national championship 500-mile races in a single season. An accomplished road racer, Unser won the 1985 Rolex 24 at Daytona with AJ Foyt, Bob Wollek and Thierry Boutsen. Like his family, he had a genetic predisposition for winning multiple Pikes Peak Hill climbs (1964 & ’65).

“With Unser Sr’s passing, the racing community lost a hero and the world lost a true gentlemen,” Amelia chairman and Hagerty CEO McKeel Hagerty. “His inspirational prowess on the track and generous spirit towards his fans remind us that while we love great race cars, they need a gifted driver to become iconic.”

The Amelia Concours d’Elegance is less than three months away, and here’s the link for what’s coming up, including the growing schedule of events and 2022’s featured classes: Ferrari (75th Anniversary); Lincoln (100th Anniversary); Waterhouse; Gurney Eagles; NASCAR; Porsche (Aluminum Race Cars); Indy Roadsters; Davis; Motorcycles; the 60th Anniversary of the 24 Hours of Daytona and the 70th Anniversary of the 12 Hours of Sebring.

The Amelia’s Cars & Coffee at the Concours is set for Saturday, March 5, allowing people with vintage, exotic, and collectible vehicles to gather on the same show field used to display vehicles entered in the following day’s prestigious Concours d’Elegance.

And speaking about The Amelia, congratulations to Jacksonville’s Gemstone Media and Producer Ray Hays for their second Emmy for Special Event Coverage, namely “Winning Amelia,” all about the 25^th annual concours. The Emmy was presented at last weekend’s National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences Suncoast Emmy Awards.

Hayes, who had his Mercedes-Benz 190 SL Pagoda at Saturday’s Caffeine and Octane, called it “at once thrilling and humbling.”

“It is always a reminder that it is a team effort and Gemstone Media has one of the finest teams anywhere,” he wrote in announcing the award on Facebook. “I’m proud that my 6th Emmy was the second with Gemstone.”

What was his first with Gemstone?

“Winning Amelia,” another hour-long documentary that catalogued the 24th annual Amelia Island Concours d’Elegance, held in early March of 2019.

Here’s a trailer for the show: https://vimeo.com/442043990, which has a quick interview with honoree Roger Penske, and Al Unser Sr. in one of his Johnny Lightning Indy cars.

Now the Car Shows:

Third annual Car Show: 8 a.m. Saturday, Jan. 8 at the Suwanee County Coliseum, 1302 11^th St. in Live Oak. Proceeds support RIVEROAK SkillsUSA for local veterans.

Relay for Life Rod Run: 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 22 at the Northeast Florida Fair at 543378 U.S. 1 in Callahan. Hosted by the Callahan Cruisers of North Florida.

Knights of Columbus Council 13337 Charity Car Show: 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 29, at The Classic Car Museum of St. Augustine, at 4730 U.S. 1 S./Dixie Highway South in St Augustine. Free for spectators and $25 for show vehicles day of show.

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

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: 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. every first Saturday at The Beaver Street Farmers Market, 1810 W. Beaver St. UPDATE: The Car Council’s second Saturday cruise-in suspended through the end of the year.

NEW – Crossroad Cruise-in: 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. each first Saturday at Crossroad Church at 10005 Gate Parkway N.

NEW – 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.

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 resuming on Nov. 27 (see above), 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.

The Part’s House/The Brothers Banter Podcast Cruise-in: The renamed White Brothers Auto Parts Cruise-in at the same time – 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. Yes, it will be held Christmas Day.

And finally….

Speaking of Amelia again and another past honoree, something special occurred with the late, great Sir Stirling Moss’s most famous race car.

“The Last Blast” is a new short film by Mercedes-Benz Classic that shows Moss’s Mercedes-Benz 300 SLR, in which he won the 1955 Mille Miglia with Denis “Jenks” Jenkinson as his navigator, making its last run through London before it’s parked at a museum.

The police-escorted drive celebrates the life of Moss, who died on April 12, 2020 at the age of 90. Filming took place at the end of September in London, where he lived for more than 60 years. But it was a city that the famous Mercedes-Benz racing car, with its legendary Mille Miglia starting number of 722, has never been driven before.

It was a famous victory for Mercedes-Benz, surviving the 1955 road race from Brescia to Rome and back. And it is in Moss’s honor that the company had the straight-eight engine howl for one last blast on a drive across central London before the car is retired, returning to its permanent home in the Mercedes-Benz Museum in Stuttgart.

This same car was the steed for Moss when he drove it onto the 2015 Amelia Island Concours show field, his second time as honoree after being feted at the inaugural event. Here is the car under the spotlights the night before at the Mercedes-Benz gala dinner, Moss and Lady Susie seated just a table away.

The new film sees No. 722 head past the Houses of Parliament, Trafalgar Square, the Royal Automobile Club and the Ritz hotel, even passing what was Sir Stirling’s very own 300 SL “Gullwing” before parking at his home in a Mayfair mews with his son, Elliot Moss, in front of the door looking at the watch his father wore for many years. It’s exactly 7:22 a.m., the original start time of Moss and Jenkinson’s Mille Miglia entry.

Jacksonville Car Culture events calendar

Caffeine and Octane Jacksonville: It’s 8 to 11 a.m. this Saturday at The Avenues mall’s south side at 10300 Southside Blvd. Cars should start arriving by 7 a.m., the best way in through Malabar Boulevard off Southside Boulevard.

In anticipation of the Christmas holiday, please bring a new unwrapped toy in support of Toys for Tots.

Caffeine and Octane Jacksonville is an all makes, all models show, and remember – parking spots are first come/first serve.

This month, we highlight Cadillacs, Lincoln Continentals and Chevrolet Corvairs in a special display within the Central Lot.

Submit your ride for consideration.

Submit your Cadillac here: https://form.123formbuilder.com/6037066/

Submit your Continental here: https://form.123formbuilder.com/6037076/

Submit your Corvair here: https://form.123formbuilder.com/6037078/

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.

Official Caffeine and Octane merchandise is on sale at all Caffeine and Octane Jacksonville events.

Check out more at firstcoastcarculture.com.

Event news

The Amelia Island Concours d’Elegance is less than three months away, and you can sign up for ticket information – coming soon – at ameliaconcours.org/ticket.aspx.

Meanwhile, the Porsche Club of America is hosting its annual Werks Reunion Amelia Island on Friday, March 4, at the Amelia River Golf Club. Not associated with the Amelia Concours, the event is open for Porsche owners interested in participating must register in one of two categories: Porsche Corral displayed alongside others in its model type. Corral participants are not considered in judged competition; and the Porsche Judged Field, competing against other owners to take home a Werks Reunion Award.

Car check-in starts at 7 a.m., all cars on field by 9 a.m. for judging from 9:30 a.m., to noon. Awards held from 2 to 3 p.m.

Youth Judging sponsored by Hagerty starts at 10:30 a.m.

Online registration for Werks Reunion Amelia Island opens on Wednesday, December 15, at motorsportreg.com/calendar.

Now the Car Shows:

Christmas on Call Street Car Show: 2:30 to 6 p.m. Saturday Dec. 11, in the Call Street Historic District bordered by Jefferson, Cherry, Madison and Temple streets in Starke. Free to cars and spectators, all vehicle types and years are welcome. All vehicles that participate can take part in a 6 p.m. holiday parade.

Toys for Tots car show: 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday Dec. 11, at Golden Isle Church of God, 20 Boswell Lane in Brunswick, Ga. Free for spectators and $20 per show vehicle, or a new unwrapped toy. Donations go to the area Toys for Tots program.

Toys 4 Tots Car and Truck Show: 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 12, at the WW Ranch Motorcross Park, 1439 Otis Road in Jacksonville. Spectators are asked to bring a canned good or donation for the needy, while show vehicle registration is $20. Live music from Beau and The Burners, sponsored by the Callahan Cruisers.

Relay for Life Rod Run: 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 22 at the Northeast Florida Fair at 543378 U.S. 1 in Callahan. Hosted by the Callahan Cruisers of North Florida.

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

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: 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. every first Saturday at The Beaver Street Farmers Market, 1810 W. Beaver St.

UPDATE: The Car Council’s second Saturday cruise-in suspended through the end of the year.

NEW – Crossroad Cruise-in: 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. each first Saturday at Crossroad Church at 10005 Gate Parkway N.

NEW – 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.

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 resuming on Nov. 27 (see above), 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.

The Part’s House/The Brothers Banter Podcast Cruise-in: The renamed White Brothers Auto Parts Cruise-in at the same time – 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.

And finally….

Photo courtesy of Hagerty

There was a pretty special “Cars and Caffeine” event on Wall Street this week, to celebrate that shares of its common stock and warrants began trading on the New York Stock Exchange under the ticker symbols HGTY and HGTY.WS, respectively.

The automotive lifestyle brand that recently purchased the Amelia Island Concours d’Elegance, and is a leading specialty insurance provider focused on the global automotive enthusiast market, rang the opening bell during a unique “Cars & Caffeine Wall Street” featuring a special 1967 Porsche 911S, the first-ever production Duesenberg and the 24 Hours of Le Mans-winning 1966 Ford GT40 race car.

“This is a huge moment for our brand, our team and our purpose to save driving and car culture for future generations,” McKeel Hagerty said. “There are millions upon millions of people out there who love cars, not so they can get from Point A to Point B but because cars are fun, exciting and fulfilling. As a public company, we are well-positioned to give car lovers more of what they want – cool events, shared experiences, automotive intel and resources, along with best-in-class insurance and amazing service.”

Hagerty insures 2 million cars globally, the company’s portfolio of automotive offerings including Hagerty Drivers Club (1.8 million members), HDC magazine (1.2 million readership), Hagerty YouTube (1.75 million subscribers), three major concours events, a nationwide collection of premium social and car storage membership facilities called Hagerty Garage + Social, and DriveShare, a peer-to-peer service that lets people rent vintage and cool enthusiast vehicles.

“We have built Hagerty to optimize growth across the vast automotive enthusiast market, which today stands strong at over 69 million enthusiasts in the U.S. alone,” Hagerty said. “Our goal is not only to provide car lovers with great insurance, but to help them connect with one another and have fun with their cars. We are focused on preserving the parts of driving that created American car culture in the first place – family, fun, community, competition, road trips and so much more.

Hagerty said being listed on the NYSE marks the start of an exciting new chapter in the company history, adding he is confident that it has sufficient capital to advance its strategy. That strategy remains focused on investing in its digital user experience to support and accelerate membership growth while expanding its portfolio of engaging and exciting car-focused events and services, he added.