Jacksonville Car Culture events calendar
Calling all classic Fords – the next Caffeine and Octane will feature Henry Ford’s (pre-1989) cars and trucks of all kinds in a special display area of the Central Lot from 8 to 11 a.m. on Saturday at The Avenues mall’s south side at 10300 Southside Blvd.
Submit your application to be considered for a reserved spot in this special section of the show at caffeineandoctane.com, or simply click on: https://form.123formbuilder.com/6067165.
An estimated 1,000-plus cars, trucks and more are expected at the free cruise-in. And remember – Caffeine and Octane Jacksonville is an all makes, all models show, with all parking spots first come/first serve.
The Caffeine and Octane featured club for February will be the First Coast Car Council, asking members to bring cars to the event to showcase the variety of clubs in it. Cars should start arriving by 7 a.m. to the Southside Boulevard side of the shopping mall, the best way in through Malabar Boulevard.
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, the soon-to-be 27-year-old Concours d’Elegance, hasracer and racing legend Chip Ganassi as the honoree, all of its events running from Thursday, March 3 through Sunday, March 6, according to the event’s new owner, Hagerty.
- The annual Spina Bifida of Jacksonville Silent Auction returns to the concours, with a collection of rare and eclectic film, television, automotive and sports-related items and more, some autographed. So Spina Bifida is accepting donations for The Amelia Concours d’Elegance 2022, all proceeds benefitting its non-profit actions helping those with the birth defect and their families. For information on how to donate, email theameliasilentauction@gmail.com.
- The concours’ official RM Sotheby’s auction returns with lot previews from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Thursday, March 3, and Friday, March 4, with an 11 a.m. Friday auction.
Photo courtesy of Gabor Meyer/RM Sotheby’s
And one of the many cars for sale is a 1948 Davis Divan, appropriate since one of The Amelia’s classes this year is the unique and rare 3-wheel car. This one is the first production Divan; one of only 12 known to survive, with aluminum body, hidden headlights and a color-matched fiberglass hardtop
Restored in its present metallic brown over a two-tone beige and brown interior, it was the brainchild of Glen Gordon “Gary” Davis, a used car salesman from Indiana. Promoted as the car of the future with a streamlined aluminum body, the company claimed it could hold four adults across its bench seat, and a price tag of just $1,000. RM Sotheby’s says this 1948 example is the third Davis Divan produced and one of only a dozen known still in existence.
The RM Sotheby’s auction is set for the concours hotel: The Ritz-Carlton, Amelia Island, at 4750 Amelia Island Parkway. For auction information, go to rmsothebys.com.
- Saturday, March 5th’s big event is Cars & Community, a suite of things to do for all ages that will include the long-running Cars & Caffeine cruise-in for local and regional classics, hot rods and car clubs. There’s also a RADwood display.
What’s RADwood? It celebrates the best vehicles from the ’80s and ’90s, with a curated display of 75 of the most iconic, unique, and RADical rides of the era. To register your vehicle, email amelia@radwood.com.
- Cars & Community will also have The Amelia’s first-ever Kids Zone.
- There’s also the Concours d’Lemons on that Saturday fun, Hagerty announcing a licensing agreement this week to produce this festival designed to celebrate the oddball, mundane and unexceptional of the automotive world. Concours d’Lemons was created in 2009 as a send-up of high-end concours events with cars no one would ever find on a high-end concours field, like “Rust Belt American Junk”, “Needlessly Complex Italian” and “Most Dangerous.” The show culminates in the presentation of the Worst of Show trophy. .and display vehicles can be registered for $15 each here at eventbrite.com/e/amelia-island-concours-dlemons-tickets-244581799747.
Cars & Community tickets are available at ;https://bit.ly/3rAVGeP;$20 for adults, $10 for youth as well as military and first responders, and free for children 12 and under. A portion of every Cars & Community ticket sold will support local and national charitable partners.
- The Amelia’s seminars start with the 3 p.m. Friday “36 Hours of Florida,” hosted by NASCAR Hall of Fame Crew Chief Ray Evernham, featuring a panel of the greats of sports car racing who were very successful at the “36 Hours of Florida,” which included both the 24 Hours of Daytona and the 12 Hours of Sebring. The NASCAR Seminar is at 10:30 a.m. on Saturday, also hosted by Ray Evernham and a panel of former NASCAR greats speaking about racing through the decades. Admission is $50 per person per seminar, information on all The Amelia events and tickets at ameliaconcours.com/event/tickets.
- Expect a celebration of the automobile featuring more than 300 vehicles at the Sunday Concours d’Elegance. Official classes include: 60th anniversary of the 24 Hours of Daytona and the 70th anniversary of the 12 Hours of Sebring; 75th anniversary of Ferrari, 100th anniversary of Lincoln, and the 90th anniversary of the 1932 Ford. Additional concours features will include Indy Roadsters, Gurney Eagles; the 3-wheeled vehicles of the Davis Motorcar Company; Japanese Sports Cars of the ‘60s and ‘70s and more.
Courtesy Miles Collier Collections @ Revs Institute by Peter Harholdt
One car in the Sebring anniversary class is an all-American hero – the 1952 Cunningham C4-R, coming from the Miles Collier Collections at the Revs Institute. With a 331-cu. in. Chrysler HEMI under that prodigious hood scoop, this was Briggs Cunningham’s steed during his attack on the 1952 24 Hours of Le mans. Briggs drove for almost 20 of the 24 hours with a slipping clutch, ultimately finishing in 4th place.
Sunday Concours tickets are: Adults (ages 23+): $150, price increases to $175 on March 1, 2022; Military and First Responders: $85, with verification at check-in; Younger Enthusiasts (ages 13-22): $75; and children 12 and under are free. And a big FYI: every concours ticket purchase also includes free admission to Cars & Community.
Tickets for all concours events are also available at the website.
Sign up to be a Concours volunteer at ameliaconcours.com/event/volunteer.
Other events on Amelia Island that weekend not associated with The Amelia:
Grand Motoring Hangar Night is from 5 to 10 p.m. on Thursday March 3, at the Amelia Aerodrome at the Fernandina Beach Municipal Airport. Returning for its sixth year, attendees have hors d’oeuvres, dinner and cocktails surrounded by an assortment of classic and collector automobiles, sponsor exhibits, auto-centric short films and more. Individual tickets are $50, address and parking instructions provided to registered attendees. Tickets can be reserved here.
20th annual Jacksonville Grand Prix:
It is 10:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. on Saturday, April 2, at the 103rd Street Sports Complex at 10271 103rd St. The annual endurance go-kart race sees teams of drivers compete as they and the event raise funds for Spina Bifida of Jacksonville. Registration is open for the event, open to multiple levels of experience from rookie to pro and semi-pro in equally prepared and weight-ballasted karts. Registration is $308.33 per person on a 6-driver team, or $1,850 for a team. Information and registration – go here. And watch some of the recent action at youtube.com/watch?v=gQoc-SR4UdU&feature=emb_imp_woyt.
22nd Annual Riding Into History Antique Motorcycle Concours
Motorcycle designer Paul Teutul Jr. will be the Grand Marshal for the annual Riding Into History concours on April 22 and 23 at World Golf Village, 1 World Golf Place in St. Augustine. On Friday, April 22, it is the Grand Marshal Tour Presented by Hagerty, allowing owners to ride their vintage bike through the back roads of historic Florida. Then comes the Grand Marshals Dinner at 6 p.m. Friday, April 22, at the World Golf Hall of Fame, Shell Hall, at $80 per person. Hundreds of classic and special interest motorcycles will be on display from 1 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday, April 23, around the lake at World Golf Village.
Then there’s this 1984 BMW R100RT Last Edition, as part of the event’s silent auction to benefit K9s for Warriors.
Photo courtesy Riding Into History
BMW Motorrad designed it after deciding its boxer motor was done with, honoring the long-running design with a special “Last Edition.” It made 740 examples across some of its model line, then decided to revive the engine a few years later. This motorcycle was donated by longtime BMWNEF member Mary Crawford, the silent auction bid done at the banquet or concours.
There is no entry fee for qualified motorcycles at the concours, and registration closes at midnight, April 14. Admission is $15 per person for spectators. All donations go to K9s for Warriors. More information is at ridingintohistory.org.
SCCA Autocross and Car Show, co-hosted by The Brunswick Lions Club: 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, February 26, at the former St. Marys Airport at North Dandy Street in St Marys, Ga. The show is free to spectators and $20 per show vehicle. The SCCA Buccaneer Region Jax Solo is holding the autocross – more information and registration at motorsportreg.com/events/scca-buccaneer-jax-solo-st-marys-municipal-airport-autocross-607711.
Now the Car Shows:
Rescheduled: 11th annual Fly-In and Classic Car Show: 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on this Saturday at Palatka Airport, 4015 Reid St. Free for spectators and $10 entry fee for show vehicles. Bad weather caused its postponement last weekend.
2022 Jacksonville RV MegaShow: Hosted by the Florida RV Trade Association from Thursday through Sunday at the Jacksonville Equestrian Center at 13611 Normandy Blvd. Show hours are 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Thursday through Saturday, and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Sunday. Regular admission is $10 for adults and children 12 years or younger are admitted free.
Jacksonville Icemen Car Show: 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday Feb. 19, at the VyStar Veterans Memorial Arena at 300 A. Philip Randolph Blvd. Spectators are free, and show vehicles are $20 per, which also gets free ticket to Icemen game at 3 p.m.
Quake-X Winterfest: Friday and Saturday, Feb. 19 and 20, at the Northeast Florida Fairgrounds at 543378 US 1 in Callahan. Information at facebook.com/events/633442741356524?ref=newsfeed.
10th annual Kruisin 4 Kids: 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturday, Feb. 26, at Dinsmore Baptist Church at 10500 Old Kings Road in Jacksonville. Burnout contests and barbecue chicken dinners for sale.
J-Tech Drive-in/Cruise-in: rescheduled for March 5, 2022 at J-Tech at 8813 Western Way. Gates open at 3 p.m. for set-up, $15 entry per car. It will be a double feature. For the kids, “Cars,” followed by “Thunder Road” for the adults. There will be food trucks and J-Tech will be open for tours.
Troop and Pack 27 Car Show and Pinewood Derby: 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday, March 12, at Old Plank Road Baptist Church at 8964 Old Plank Road.
19th Annual Mustang & Ford Regional Show: 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturday, March 19, hosted by the Jacksonville Mustang Club Show at Duval Ford at 1616 Cassat Ave. Registration can be done at jmcmustang.org/jmc-show.
Middleburg Spring Festival and Car Show: 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday, March 19, at the Middleburg Civic Association at 2102 Palmetto St. Spectators are free; show vehicle registration is $20. Proceeds donated to Civic Association’s choice charity.
Adamec Harley-Davidson Car & Bike Show: 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Sunday, March 20 at the dealership at 8909 Baymeadows Road. Hosted by Callahan Cruisers of North Florida, spectators are free, whole show vehicle registration is $20. Live Music by the Pink Paisleys.
First Florida Chapter Winter Rally & Swap Meet: Military vehicle display and living history fromFriday to Sunday,March 25-27, at Reynolds Industrial Park at 1 Bunker Ave. off Florida 16 in Green Cove Springs. World War II battle re-enactments are at 1 p.m. Saturday and Sunday.
17th annual Railroad Day Festival and Classic Car Show: 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, April 2, at the1881 Callahan Train Depot at 45383 Dixie Ave. in Callahan. Live entertainment, arts/crafts and food vendors, model trains and a classic car show hosted by Callahan Cruisers and Cochrane’s Collision Center from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. All proceeds will go to the West Nassau Historical Society.
First Coast Car Council’s Cruisin’ to the Creek Spring Car Show: 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturday, April 16, at Trout Creek Memorial Park and Marina at 6550 Florida 13 in Orangedale south of Sant Johns/Fruit Cove. The show benefit the Ronald McDonald House Charities of Jacksonville.
Rumble at the Ranch – Hot Rod vs Rat Rod: May 5 through 7 at WW Motocross Park, 1439 Otis Road in Jacksonville. The event features burnout contests with a $1,500 purse, car show and other events.
Third annual Hot Rodz 4 Kids Car and Bike Show: 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday May 28, at First United Methodist Church of Callahan, 449648 U.S. 301. Proceeds go to children’s medical, educational and nutritional needs.
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.
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.
Clay County Cruzers’ events: 3 to 6 p.m. every first Saturday at Big Dawg Sports Restaurant, 1330 Blanding Blvd. Here’s a bit of what it looked like last weekend:
The Clay County Cruzers’ other events: 3 to 6 p.m. every second Saturday at Gator’s Dockside Oakleaf at 8316 Merchants Way, Jacksonville; 5 p.m. every third Friday at Freddy’s Steakburgers at 386 Blanding Blvd.; 8 a.m. every fourth Saturday at Nicole’s Café, 2216 S. Mimosa Ave. in Middleburg; and 2 to 5 p.m. every fourth Saturday back at Gator’s Dockside Oakleaf, 316 Merchants Way, Jacksonville.
The First Coast Car Council holds its newest cruise-in from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. every first Saturday at The Beaver Street Farmers Market, 1810 W. Beaver St. But its cruise-in from 5 to 8 p.m. every second Saturdayhas been suspendedat the Medical & Merchants Center of Mandarin, 11701 San Jose Blvd.
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.
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.
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 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.
Johnny Angels: 6:30 to 9:30 p.m. every third Friday at Johnny Angels diner at 3546 St. Johns Bluff Road S.
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: 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.
Cruise Night at Beachwalk: cancelled
And finally…
Last Saturday’s Peterson’s Automotive Showcase at the Frank H. Peterson Academies of Technology at 7450 Wilson Blvd. in Jacksonville saw dozens of classics, hot rods and modern as well as vintage muscle cars assemble on its back lawn as tours of the magnet high school’s Communications, Automotive Technology, Cosmetology, Culinary Arts, Aviation Technology, Childcare, Agriculture Science and Robotic programs occurred for prospective students.
.The oldest classic was this blue – yes, they came in colors other than black – 1913 Ford Model T.
And have you ever wondered how EVs will handle towing RVs, boats & such while needing to recharge along the way?
This week’s edition of Jacksonville resident Bill Bortzfield’s EV Rider looks into how all-electric pickups might do as far as range and towing ability – it’s at bit.ly/3oYM1wX.