Jacksonville Car Culture events calendar:
The next Caffeine & Octane Jacksonville is set for 7:30 to 10:30 a.m. on Saturday, Aug. 9, at The Avenues mall at 10300 Southside Blvd. 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.
First Coast Recap:
Classic Car Museum of St. Augustine: Last Saturday, hosted by the St. Augustine – like this rare 1970’s Jensen-Healey, and a Willys-Knight:
A 1990’s Panoz Roadster, built by Danny Panoz and his crew in a small factory in Braselton, Ga. – Ford Cobra V-8 inside, alloy body outside, and VW Super Beetle windshield.
Clay County Cruzers last Saturday at Gator’s Dockside: Very hot, but packed. This is real – not a kit car – but a late 1990’s Mitsuoka Ryoga, a retro-styled compact made in Japan off a Nissan Sunny – basically our Sentra – the nose styled to look like a 1960’s Jaguar sedan.
And some of the rest:
Upcoming events:
Cars, Culture, Community car show and open house: 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Saturday, at the Jacksonville Sports Car Museum, 7601 Centurion Parkway. General Admission: $20; kids 12 & under: free (with adult). Includes museum access and entertainment. First Coast Hot Wheels Club, VW Bus retro photo booth, games and more for all ages.
Cruis’N Into Class Car Show: 10 a.m. on Saturday, at the Maceo Elks Lodge at 712 West Duval St. in Jacksonville. Free for spectators and $25 for show vehicles – school supplies will be distributed.
Low ‘n Clean Jacksonville Car and Truck Show: 1 to 6 p.m. on Saturday, at the Northeast Florida Fairgrounds at 543378 US-1 in Callahan. General admission is $17.20 plus fees, with show vehicle registration starting at $48.65 plus fees, and VIP tent display at $59.04 plus fees.
Street Passions Car Show: 2 to 7 p.m. on Saturday, at Passions Gentleman’s Club, 9801 Beach Blvd. Free for spectators and 425 per show vehicle.
Ultimate Car Show, presented by the Town of Hilliard: 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 6th at 37328 W. First St. Free for spectators and $20 per show vehicle.
Touch A Truck – What Moves Clay: 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday, September 6 at the Clay County Fairgrounds on Florida 16 in Green Cove Springs. This free event will bring dozens of service vehicles for kids to see up close, plus food trucks, indoor and outdoor activities and free giveaways. Visitors can view the vehicles during quiet time from 9 to 11 a.m., then see them in action during the lights and sounds portion, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Chili’s Car Show: 9 a.m. to noon on Saturday, Sept. 13, at Chili’s at 1664 Wells Road in Orange Park. Free for spectators and $20 per show vehicles – proceeds benefit St. Jude.
FreedomFest Car Show: 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 13 at the U.S.S. Orleck/Jacksonville Naval Museum at 610 E. Bay St. Free for spectators and $30 show vehicle registration in advance. Event also celebrates the U.S.S. Orleck’s 80th birthday.
JEA EV Ride & Drive: 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 13 at Florida State College at Jacksonville’s Cecil Center, 5640 POW-MIA Memorial Parkway. Along with dealership ride and drives, an EV Owners Car Show, stakeholder booths, games and food trucks, the FSCJ Automotive Technology department and North Florida Electrathon will show off some Electrathon Florida racing – custom-bult single seat electric race cars in competition.
True Point Church Cruise-in for Jesus: 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 25, at Truth Point Church, 5330 Dunn Ave. Free for spectators and $20 per show vehicle, proceeds to benefit children and youth programs.
R.A.W. Music Festival and S.A.W. Kustomz Cars for a Cause: 11 a.m. on Saturday, Sept. 27, at Flamingo Lake RV Resort at 3640 Newcomb Road. Free to spectators and $20 for show vehicles, proceeds benefitting the MS Foundation.
Cruisin’ to the Creek Fall Car and Truck Show: 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. n Saturday, Oct. 4, at Trout Creek Memorial Park, 6550 Florida 13 N. in Orangedale. All proceeds benefit Ronald McDonald House of Jacksonville.
2025 Fall Classic/Pontiac-Oakland-GMC Car Show: 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 4, at the Classic Car Museum of St. Augustine, 4730 Dixie Highway in St. Augustine. Free for spectators and $25 in advance/$30 day of show for display vehicles. Presented by the Dixie Chapter Pontiac Club.
Cars of Purpose Rev Out Cancer Pink Out Show: 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday, Oct. 18 and 19, at the Clay County Fairgrounds at 2463 Florida 16 in Green Cove Springs.
29th Annual 8-Flags Car Show: 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 18 on Centre Street in historic Centre Street in Fernandina Beach. Free for spectators and $30 per show vehicle – advance registration required – no day of show registration. Proceeds go to local organizations.
NBIA Auto Show: 9 a.m. on Saturday, Nov. 1, at St. Anastasia Catholic Church at 5205 Florida A1A S. in St. Augustine Beach.
Ponte Vedra Auto Show: 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Sunday, Nov. 2, at Nocatee Station Field, 245 Nocatee Center Way in Ponte Vedra Beach. Free for spectators – more info to come.
Ground Up Motors Fall Car Show: 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Saturday, Nov. 8, at 2 Commerce Blvd. in Palm Coast. More news coming soon.
FlightLine After Dark: An exclusive hangar cocktail experience brings together exotic cars, private jets, and Jacksonville’s finest cuisine on Saturday, Nov. 8, at Jax Executive Jet Center, 985 Charles Lindbergh Drive, driven by Tom Bush BMW. Visit flightlineafterdark.com for information and tickets – raises funds for JaxPAL’s capital improvement project to help build a $2M turf field and track for our city’s youth.
18th annual Back to the Fifties Car Show: 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday, Nov. 8, at Moosehaven, 1701 Park Ave. in Orange Park. Free for spectator and $25 day-of-show for show vehicles, the event includes the annual chili cookoff.
USS Orleck Car Show:10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 6, at the Jacksonville Naval Museum at 610 E. Bay St. Free for spectators and $30 per show vehicle, proceeds to benefit the museum. Show hosted by the museum, NAPA Auto Parts and the Corvette Club of Jacksonville.
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.
Caffeine and Gasoline: 8 to 11 a.m. each first Saturday of the month at J-Tech Institute at 8813 Western Way in Jacksonville. House rules – “respect the property.”
North Florida Domestic Car Club’s cruise-in: 5 to 8 p.m. on each first Saturday of the month at Culhane’s Irish Pub, 9720 Deer Lake Court off Southside Boulevard.
Morning Motor Social: 8:30 to 11:30 a.m. on the third Saturday of each month at Park Place at Nocatee, 100 Palmetto Park Place in Ponte Vedra – free for spectators and show vehicles, all makes and models welcome. And Extreme SIM Racing & REViT SIM Racing will bring state-of-the-art racing simulators onsite.
And…Morning Motor Social “Night Edition”: 6:30 pm. each third Saturday, at 100 Palmetto Park Place in Ponte Vedra.. Organizers are curating a JDM Showcase for their August event and on the hunt for the cleanest builds and wildest rides from Japan.
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. Then at 6 to 9 p.m. each third Saturday of the month, Rides and Brews meets at World of Beers Bar and Kitchen at 5105 Butler Blvd. Both are 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.
New listing – 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.
Amelia Cruizers: 3 to 5 p.m. on the third Saturday of each month, meeting in the parking lot by the old Krystal’s (Citrona & Sadler) between 2-2:30. At 2:30 p.m., they cruise through downtown 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. Park on the walkway at Latham Plaza.
** On hold for the summer – 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. The next cruise-in – Sat. Aug. 10 – is the event’s 10th 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 12 to 4 p.m. every third Saturday at the PDQ at 194 Florida 13 in Saint Johns, just south of Julington Creek.
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.
Clay County Cruzers’ events: 2 to 5 p.m. every first Saturday at Big Dawg Sports Restaurant, 1330 Blanding Blvd.; 2 to 5 p.m. every second Saturday – Woody’s barbecue, 2452 Stoney Glen Drive in Fleming Island; 2 to 5 p.m. every third Saturday at Callahan’s Irish Bistro, 2141 Loch Rane Blvd. in Orange Park; and 2 to 5 p.m. every fourth Saturday at Gator’s Dockside, 8316 Merchants Way, Jacksonville.
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: 4 p.m. every fourth Saturday between 8th and 17th streets at Main Street in Jacksonville’s Springfield community.
Wait, there’s more…
Courtesy The Amelia/Hagerty
Three-time Indianapolis 500 winner Dario Franchitti is the 2026 honoree at The Amelia concours d’elegance in early March.
And the concours d’elegance – the classic car gathering at the huge weekend classic car event on Amelia Island, is set for a Saturday, and not a Sunday as in past, Hagerty says.
Franchitti won the Indy 500 in 2007, 2010 and 2012, and is also a 4-time IndyCar champion. The concours on Saturday, March 7th will see a collection of his race cars joining the annual display of 200-plus classics this year including Can-Am Racers and Corvettes.
The Amelia’s activities also include a kickoff party on March 5th, and Hagerty’s Broad Arrow Auctions on March 6th and 7th. The expanded Cars & Community show for regional cars and clubs is on March 8th.
Bill Warner, a Jacksonville businessman, car collector and magazine photographer, founded The Amelia in 1996. The automotive charity event is always held the first weekend of March at The Ritz-Carlton, Amelia Island and the 10th and 18th fairways of the Golf Club of Amelia Island. The event has generated more than $4 million in donations to Community Hospice & Palliative Care, Spina Bifida of Jacksonville and Shop with Cops.
More details and ticket pre-sales are at ameliaconcours.com.
GM has revealed the second in a series of three Chevrolet Corvette concept design studies.
The California Corvette concept was developed by GM’s Advanced Design studios in Pasadena, as part of a global design project. This latest concept reimagines the Corvette with a futuristic, Southern California twist and reflects GM’s deep roots in the SoCal design community.
“Our Advanced Design teams are dedicated to shaping the future, driving innovation, and exploring what’s possible,” said Bryan Nesbitt, vice president of global design. “The California Corvette concept is another example of forward-thinking design. We invited multiple GM studios to envision Corvette-inspired hypercars — the first of which was revealed by our UK studio in March. The California team has now delivered a complementary study that honors Corvette’s legendary performance, while infusing it with their own distinctive vision.”
While there is no production intent behind this design study, the Pasadena team embraced this project as a blank slate to reimagine what the Corvette could be.
“Southern California has been at the heart of automotive and design culture for a century, and GM has had a deep design presence here for nearly 40 years. We wanted to ensure that this concept was developed through that SoCal lens, but with a global and futuristic outlook. Duality of purpose is the basis of this concept’s design strategy,” said Brian Smith, design director, GM Advanced Design Pasadena. “The defining design aspect is the single-piece, front-hinged canopy than enables the entire upper shell to be removed, transforming the concept from an agile, slick sports car to a lightweight, open-air track car.”
The body structure has a tunneled underbody with lightweight carbon tub; staggered wheels – 21-inch front and 22-inch rear; and is 182.5 inches long.
Stickerdick’s Garage: There’s a new podcast in town by the guy who brings you the Stickerdick’s award for the coolest ride at many local car events.
Listen in with Mark Richardson on personal stories, adventures, truths and “lies” about the things car folks talk about in the garage, or working on our rides! Produced at WJCT Media’s new podcast studio, and at a car event near us.