Jacksonville Car Culture events calendar:
The next Caffeine & Octane Jacksonville, set for 7:30 to 10:30 a.m. on Saturday. C&O Jacksonville will celebrate Autobahn Legends in the Feature Area on May 9, and invite club representation from Mercedes, BMW, Audi, VW, Porsche, Mini and more!
Gentle reminders – All vehicles parked in the Central Lot Features area must remain in place until the show concludes. If you cannot stay until then, please park in the exhibit lot. And please listen to C&O volunteer staff.
And heads-up:
The 11th annual San Jose Car & Truck Show has been rescheduled to 8:30 to 11:30 a.m., Saturday, June 6, at Dupont Station Shopping Center, 6271 St. Augustine Road. Free for spectators and $25 per show vehicle – Visit firstcoastcarculture.com for information, and click here to register.
Past events:
Cruisin’ Classics Cruise-in: Last Sunday at the Elks Lodge off Beach Boulevard:
And Happy Birthday Diana Brewer, owner of the lovely classic GMC Pa2unia pickup – celebrated with a mini-car show and a special cake.
Upcoming events:
May Day Motorfest: 4 to 8 p.,. Friday at Take Away Buffet at 1805 E. West Parkway in Fleming Island. Free for spectators and show vehicles.
16th annual Rev It Up! Car Show: 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday, at Moosehaven at 1701 Park Ave. in Orange Park. Free for spectators and $25 for day-of-show show vehicles.
Sixth annual Jax Anchor Fest Car Show: 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturday, at the USS Orleck Naval Museum at 610 East Bay St. Free to spectators and $25 per show vehicle. https://fhnsa.org/
An Evening With Brumos: 5:30 to 8 p.m. on Friday, May 15, at The Brumos Collection at 5159 San Pablo Road S. The museum’s collection of classic cars, racing machines and memorabilia, plus Buster,” its rare 1968 Mercedes-Benz bus redesigned to haul race cars in the 1970s and 80s, will be on display. Tickets are $59 per person, or $99 per couple, and include a complimentary beer or wine, soft drinks and hors d’oeuvres.
PT Cruiser 25th Anniversary Show: Birthday party at 8 a.m. on Saturday, May 16, at Orange Blossom Diner at 14329 Beach Blvd., followed by a PT Cruiser Show at 10:30 a.m. at The Brumos Collection at 5159 San Pablo Road S. Check the link for more information.
Brunch on the Beach Cruise-in: noon to 2 p.m. on Sunday, May 17, at the Oasis Restaurant at 4000 Florida A1A S., presented by the St. Augustine Cruisers Car Club
Veterans Car Show: Saturday, May 20, at the American Legion Lakeshore Post 137, with VFW Post 7909, at 5443 San Juan Ave. Free for spectators – all show vehicles must be pre-1987. No time listed – TBA.
Memorial Day Rod Run 4 Kidz: 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday, May 23, at Callahan Methodist Church at 449648 U.S. 301. Free for spectators and $20 per show vehicle, proceeds to benefit The Barnabas Families in
Transition and Gear Up for Graduation programs.
King of the South Car Show: 2 p.m. on Saturday, May 30, at the Northeast Florida Fairgrounds at 543378 U.S. 1 in Callahan. Show vehicle registration is $70 for Super VIP, to $30 General Admission. Car limbo competition is at 4:30 p.m.; exhaust competition is 5 p.m.; burnout competitions at 6 p.m.
Gumball 3000 comes to Amelia Island: 6 to 9 p.m. on Friday, June 5, along Centre Street in historic Fernandina Beach. One hundred supercars are making a 3,000-mile trip from Miami to Mexico City, stopping off to show off for free during the 27th running of the event. Alongside the action on Centre Street, the Gumball 3000 Foundation will bring the spirit of the rally to Main Beach Skatepark, hosting a special project in collaboration with the Skatepark Project .
Don McCoin Memorial Car Show: 11 am. to 3 p.m. on Sunday June 14, at Burnett Park, 3740 Burnett Park Road. Free for spectators and $15 per show entrant, proceeds from registration and concession stand tips will be donated to the McCoin family.
Photo by Chris Conover
Don was an avid car guy who often drove his personally-restored yellow 1957 BMW Isetta, with a tiny 300-cc engine making 13 horsepower, to shows. He was also a veteran auto race and BMW Club member and driving instructor. He passed away in early April.
: 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday, July 4, at the West Nassau Museum of History at 45383 Dixie Ave. in Callahan. Spectators are free, and show vehicle registration is $20.
Northeast Florida Rod Run/Car Show/Swap meet: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 5, at the Northeast Florida Fairground at 543378 U.S. 1 in Callahan. Free for spectators and $20 day of show for display vehicles.
Rocketman Rally and Show: 9:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 12, at Trout Creek Memorial Park, 6550 Florida 13 N. Spectators are free, show vehicle registration is $15, register on Eventbrite.
Endless Summer Showcase 4/Downtown Edition: 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 26, in the grassy field across from Decca Live at 323 E. Bay St. More details to come soon right here.
First Coast Car Council’s Cruisin’ to the Creek Car Show: 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 3, at Trout Creek Memorial Park at 6550 Florida 13 in Northwest St. Johns County. Free for spectators and $30 registration for show vehicles day of show. Proceeds benefit the Ronald McDonald House of Jacksonville.
Fall Classic Pontiac-Oakland-GMC Car Show: 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 10, at the Classic Car Museum of St. Augustine at 4730 U.S. 1 S. Free to spectators and $30 per show vehicle day of show.
Ponte Vedra Auto Show: 10 a.m. on Sunday, November 8, at 245 Nocatee Center in Ponte Vedra Beach. More details soon.
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.
** New cruise-in: 6 to 9 p.m. every first Monday of each month at the BRIX, 300 2nd St., in Jacksonville Beach – sponsored by the Cadillac Kings.
**New cruise-in – PJ’s Cars and Coffee: 7 to 9 a.m. every first Sunday of the month at 3470 Royal Pines Drive in Middleburg
** B.C.O.D. (Bold City Oil Drippers) Mid-Month Cruise: 1 to 4 p.m. on Sunday, May 17, at Myrtle Avenue Brewing, 633 Myrtle Ave. N.
**Alert – Cruise Fruit Cove: Returns at 1 p.m. Saturday, July 18, and same time every third Saturday of the month at the new SAUCY at 194 Florida 13 in Saint Johns – same site, new name.
Morning Motor Social: 8 to 11 a.m. every third Saturday of each month, at Park Place at Nocatee, 100 Palmetto Park Place in Ponte Vedra – free for spectators and show vehicles. Pre-register at morningmotorsocial.com.
North Florida Domestic Car Club’s cruise-in: 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. on each first Saturday of the month at Culhane’s Irish Pub, 9720 Deer Lake Court off Southside Boulevard.
UB Coffee & Cars: 6:30 to 8:30 a.m. every Sunday at the Urban Bean Coffeehouse Café at 2023 Park Ave. in Orange Park – sponsored by Classic Motorworks.
Duval Car, Truck and Bike Meet: noon to 5 p.m. every first Saturday at 10749 N. Main St.
Rides and Brews: 8 to 10 a.m. each first Saturday of each month at 10618 Deerwood Park Blvd. – held for car clubs and vehicles, organized by vehicle style, by the North Florida Type R/Type S community.
Mod Talk Tuesdays: 5 p.m. every first Tuesday at Tequila’s Mexican Restaurant at 10915 Baymeadows Road. For car, truck and bike enthusiasts.
Cruise-in at the Creek: 9 a.m. to noon every fifth Saturday at Trout Creek Park, 6550 Florida 13 N.
New – Fernandina Beach Car Meet: 6 p.m. on the first Saturday of the month at Famous Quick Lube, 1707 8th St. Fernandina Beach.
Jeeps and Java: 9 to 11 a.m. each third Sunday of the month at Rummies and Yummies bakery and coffee bar at 1580 Wells Road – a free cruise-in for Jeep owners.
Duval Car, Truck and Bike meet: Free cruise-in from noon to 5 p.m. each 1st and 3rd Saturday at the shopping center at 3000 Dunn Ave.
Orange Blossom Breakfast Show: 8 to 11 a.m. every third Saturday at Orange Blossom Diner at 14329 Beach Blvd., presented by Beaches Classic Cruisers and Carl Bush.
Beaches Classic Cruisers new event: Second Sunday Coffee and Carburetors, 10 a.m. Sunday Nov. 9, at the Hotel Palms at 28 Sherry Drive in Atlantic Beach.
Amelia Cruizers: 3 to 6 p.m. on the third Saturday of each month, meeting at Townies Pizza, 819 T.J. Courson Road.
Jax Beach Classic Car Cruise: 4 to 7 p.m. every fourth Tuesday at Latham Plaza, 143 2nd St. N. in Jacksonville Beach. This is a City of Jacksonville Beach sponsored event, but November’s is the last cruise of the year because Deck the Chairs takes over Latham Plaza through December.
Cruisin’ Classics Cruise-in: 1 to 4 p.m. the first Sunday of each month on the back lawn of the Elks Lodge at 1855 West Road, off Beach Boulevard – Hamburgers and more on sale.
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.
***NEW SITE** Kingsland Cars & Coffee: 9 a.m. to noon every first Saturday, with expanded parking now at Tasty’s at 1607 Georgia 40 in Kingsland.
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. every third Sunday at Pink Salt Restaurant and Wine Bar, 1567 University Blvd. W.
Cars and Gars: noon to 5 p.m. every 1st and third Saturday at Allusion’s restaurant and bar at 5045 Soutel Drive.
Jeremiah’s Italian Ice cruise-in: noon to 3 p.m. every fourth Saturday at the business at 18111 Golden Eagle Way on Fleming Island.
Apex Auto Car Show and Cruise-in: 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. every third Saturday of the month at Apex Automotive, 9962 San Jose Blvd.
Cars, Bikes and Burgers: 7:30 to 11 p.m. every last Friday of each month at Steak ‘n Shake at 10661 San Jose Blvd.
**UPDATED** Clay County Cruzers’ events: 2 to 5 p.m. every first Saturday at Callahan’s Irish Bistro, 2141 Loch Rane Blvd. in Orange Park; 1 to 4 p.m. the second Saturday of each month at Big Dawg’s at 1330 Blanding Blvd. in Orange Park; 2 to 5 p.m. every third Saturday at Cheers Park Avenue, 1138 Park Ave. in Orange Park; and 2 to 5 p.m. every fourth Saturday at Gator’s Dockside, 8316 Merchants Way, Jacksonville.
**NEW LISTING – Here’s the Pharoah’s of St. John’s cruise-in and show listing for 2026:
Oakleaf Classic Car Cruise-In: 5 p.m. every fourth Friday at Trinity Oakleaf, 710 Oakleaf Plantation Parkway in Orange Park, with food truck – Clay County Cruzers.
Classic Car Museum of St. Augustine events:
The regular 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. And the museum is open Tues.-Sat., 10 a.m. – 6 p.m.
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. 2nd St. in Palatka.
Historic Springfield Main Street Cruise: 3 p.m. every fourth Saturday between 8th and 17th streets at Main Street in Jacksonville’s Springfield community.
Wait – there’s more:
Chevrolet
The 2026 Chevrolet Corvette ZR1X will lead the field to the green flag for the 110th Indianapolis 500 on Sunday, May 24 at Indianapolis Motor Speedway. Indiana University Head Football Coach Curt Cignetti, in celebration of IU Football’s undefeated National Championship season, has been named honorary Pace Car driver and will pace the field of 33 drivers.
“America’s hypercar will be front and center at the Indianapolis 500, and it has the speed to stay there,” Corvette Executive Chief Engineer Tony Roma said. “The ZR1X is made for the race track. This Corvette, inspired by America’s 250th anniversary, will absolutely give Coach Cignetti and the fans a thrill.”
The Corvette ZR1X delivers 1,250 hp across all four wheels, combining a 186 hp electric motor on the front axle with a 5.5L twin-turbo V8 putting 1,064 hp to the rear wheels. For Pace Car duty, the ZR1X is equipped with the Carbon Aero package, including dive planes on the front bumper, underbody aero strakes and the rear wing, which creates more than 1,200 pounds of downforce at top speed.
Chevrolet
The Corvette ZR1X is capable of zero to 60 mph in under 2 seconds – and can reach 233 mph, approaching speeds seen by race cars in the field. The Pace Car features the stars-and-stripes decals running across the car, custom painted in Arctic White from the driver side and Admiral Blue from the opposite. Inside, Santorini Blue seats are paired with red accent seat belts and red stitched floor mats for a cohesive, performance-driven interior.
The 2026 race marks the 37th time for Chevrolet to pace dating back to 1948 and the 23rd time overall, all since 1978, for America’s favorite sports car.
Lotus
The crew at Lotus Cars has recreated the iconic Lotus Type 49 at Hethel, 59 years after the historic day that Colin Chapman famously drove the Type 49 down the runway there.
Classic Team Lotus unveiled the reconstruction, which had been commissioned by George Barber the late founder of the Barber Vintage Motorsports Museum in Birmingham, Ala.
“Thousands of hours have gone into recreating 49R1 in every detail, from the engine to the gearbox, to the monocoque and the hundreds of bespoke parts made by hand with reference to the period design drawings held in the CTL archive,” says son Clive Chapman.
Lotus
The Type 49 realized the biggest ever year-on-year performance increase in F1 history. The first, chassis R1, went on to race in 10 Grand Prix races and scored victories with Jim Clark in the 1967 Mexican GP and Graham Hill in the 1968 Spanish GP. Following severe damage at the 1968 Monaco GP, a rebuild as chassis R9 and another accident in 1969, 49R1 was lost to history. But with original design drawings and period components, 49R1 has been recreated just as she was when Chapman drove it.
Lotus
Engineer Mike Costin, co-founder of Cosworth (which developed the Cosworth DFV engine that powered the Type 49) and Dick Scammell both attended the event at Hethel. And Clive Chapman re-enacted his father’s first drive back in 1967 and took the car for few laps of the track. The car will join its stablemates at the Barber Vintage Motorsports Museum.