Category: Automotive News

Jacksonville Car Culture events calendar 

The next Caffeine &Octane is set for 8 to 11 a.m. Saturday, March 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. Please park in the exhibit lot if you need to leave prior to 11 a.m. Those parking in the Exotics Lot and the Porsche Corner are free to arrive and leave at any time.

9th Annual San Jose Car & Truck Show at the Dupont Station Shopping Center
April 6, 2024 8:30-11:30 am 6271 St Augustine Rd,, Jacksonville, Florida All proceeds go to the Bishop John J. Snyder Community Center at San Jose Apartments for seniors. Last year’s crowd raised $11,036 for the center. Open to all years, makes, and models. DJ music, door prizes, awards, and refreshments. Spectators are free. Registration is $25 to register call (904) 632-1255 or email Alma at aballard@ccbjax.org

The Amelia concours d’elegance – The 29th edition is just two weeks away – from Feb. 29 to March 3 of 2024. Multi-time NASCAR Cup Series champion Rick Hendrick, owner of Hendrick Motorsports and Chairman/CEO of Hendrick Automotive Group, is this year’s honoree – and that will include a special display of vehicles from Hendrick’s collection including the Garage 56 Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 that was prepared for the 2023 24 Hours of Le Mans.

The Amelia will host seminars featuring some of the greatest racecar drivers in history including: 

• Jeff Gordon (last year’s honoree seen above), Dale Earnhardt Jr., Terry LaBonte and Ken Shrader, who will discuss “40 Years of Hendrick Motorsports.”
• Indianapolis 500 winners Paul Tracy and Danny Sullivan will join Terry LaBonte and Ricky Craven to discuss “Close Finishes and Controversies.”
• Sports racing legend David Donahue, rally pilot Jeff Zwart and Pikes Peak racer and organizer Fred Veitch host a discussion and viewing of “Pikes Peak Short Films.”

Visitors to The Amelia will be able to get behind the wheel, or ride along, in a selection of classics as part of the Mobil 1 Hagerty Ride & Drive program throughout the weekend – a complimentary offer available on a first come, first serve basis. Guests can also experience the performance of new Porsche models including the 911 GT3 as part of the Porsche Driving Experience. This includes high-speed and autocross runs on a closed runway with professional drivers like Hurley Haywood. Tickets for the Porsche Driving Experience are available here.

Broad Arrow Auctions is the official auction of The Amelia and will offer 130 lots on Friday, March 1 and Saturday, March 2. Among the highlights are the 1959 Porsche 718 RSK Spyder “Lucybelle III”, the 1954 Dodge Firearrow IV by Carrozzeria Ghia and the 1938 Delahaye 135 MS Figoni et Falaschi Coupe. For more information or to register to bid, click here. Additional auctions the week of The Amelia include Gooding and Company, Bonhams. and a silent auction held on-site at The Amelia. 

Special concours classes include Japanese performance cars of the 90s, Porsche: 911 The Original Owners Club, Cars of Pike’s Peak, Bugatti Type 57 as well as two classes featuring Ferrari 250 Competition and Grand Touring Cars.

Photo courtesy of PCA

Werks Reunion Amelia Island: The Porsche Club of America’s annual event from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Friday, March 1, at the Amelia River Club at 4477 Buccaneer Trail in Fernandina Beach. all Porsche clubs, owners, and enthusiasts to the eighth annual Werks Reunion. Expect a display of 500+ Porsches and dozens of vendors. Onsite spectator parking is $40 per vehicle; Porsche Corral display is $114 per car, while the Judged field is $164 per.

Kicking off The Amelia weekend is Classic Motorsports Magazine’s Amelia Island Kickoff presented by Sunoco at Fernandina Beach’s Main Beach Park, set for 1 p.m. on March 1. Spectator entry is free – Vehicle entry price is $45, and all cars must pre-register online – no registrations will be accepted at the show gate. The Mercedes-Benz Club of America, Morgan Owners Group South and Audi Club North America just signed up. They are still accepting registration applications for individual cars. Register here.

Joining the Classic Motorsports Amelia Island Kickoff, the Concours d’Lemons is free for spectators – registration is just $20. See the weird, the orphans and the “what is that?”

Upcoming events:

Seventh annual Pedro Menendez High School Athletic Booster Club Show: 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, at the Classic Car Museum of St. Augustine, 4730 U.S. 1 S./Dixie Highway South in St Augustine. Free for spectators and $20 day of show for display vehicles. 

Second annual Nease NJROTC Classic and Exotic Car Show: 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 24, at the high school at 10550 Ray Road, off U.S. 1 in St. Johns County. Spectators free, and show vehicles $25 day of show.

12^th annual Kruisin4Kids Car Show and burnout competition: 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. on Saturday, Feb. 24, at Dinsmore Baptist Church at 10500 Old Kings Road.

Strawberry Festival Car Show: 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday and Sunday, Feb. 24 and 25, at the Suwanee Count Fairgrounds, 1302 11^th St. SW in Live Oak. This is a 2-day car show, free to spectators and $40 for show vehicles for both days – Sunday is a judged show; held by Florida Misfits Association and Mopar Muscle of North Florida.

Cabul Lodge No. 116 Car, Truck and Motorcycle Show: 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday, March 2, at Clay County Shrine Club, 2471 Russell Road in Green Cove Springs. 

Troop 77 Car Show: 8 a.m. to noon Saturday, March 9, at Old Plank Road Baptist Church, 8964 Old Plank Road. Free for spectators and $20 per show vehicle.

21^st annual Mustang and Ford Show: 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, March 23, at Duval Ford, 1616 Cassat Ave. Free for spectators and $30 day of show.

Adamec Harley-Davidson Car and Bike Show: 10 a.m. to 3 pm. on Saturday, March 23, at the dealership at 8909 Baymeadows Road. Hosted by the Callahan Cruiser, it’s free to spectators and $20 per show vehicle.

Third annual Easter Showdown: 3 to 8 p.m. on Saturday, March 30, at Dames Point Park, 9101 Dames Point Road – Free to spectators, and $35 registration for show vehicles.

9th Annual San Jose Car & Truck Show at Dupont Station: 8:30 to 11:30 a.m. on Saturday, April 6, at Dupont Station, 6271 St. Augustine Road. Free for spectators and $25 to enter a car, the show raised more than $11,000 for Bishop John J. Snyder Community Center at San Jose Apartments for seniors last year.

Town of Hilliard Car Show: 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Saturday, April 6, at 15859 West County Road 108. Free for spectators and $20 for vehicle registration.

2024 Leeperz Jeepers Crawl for Kids Ride/Nassau County: 8:30 a.m. Saturday April 6, Northeast Florida Fair, 543378 U.S. 1 Callahan: This is a Nassau County Sheriff’s Office escorted 50 mile Jeep ride, including both on road and off road (including through wooded logging trails. All proceeds go to Sheriff’s Office’s Shop With Cops program – $45 registration fee.

4^th annual Car-B-Que Classic Car Show: 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, April 6, at OneChurch at 324 5^th St. N. in Jacksonville Beach.

Manx in the Sunshine: April 11 to 14 at the Kraft Athletic Club, 961023 Buccaneer Trail in Fernandina Beach. Open to original Meyers Manx dune buggies, and other VW-based buggies. 

19^th annual Railroad Day Festival and Car Show: 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Saturday, April 20, at the West Nassau Historical Society, 45383 Dixie Ave. in Callahan. Car show hosted by the Callahan Cruisers

13th annual PT Cruiser Cruise Into History: The annual PT Cruiser car show held is Saturday May 4, at the Classic Car Museum of St Augustine, 4730 Dixie Highway. More information: firstcoastptcruisers.org.

Good Sams Car Show: 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday May 18 at Tanglewood Station shopping center at 1241 Blanding Blvd. Free for spectators and $25 for show vehicles.

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: 8 to 11 a.m. every second Saturday at The Avenues Mall at 10300 Southside Blvd. Information: https://bit.ly/3gPRvVQ.

Abandoned Treasures: 5 to 8 p.m. this Saturday at Abandoned Treasures at 7358 Florida 21 in Keystone Heights. Featuring Beau and the Burners for live music.

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.

Pharaohs of St. Johns NEW cruise-in: 2 to 5 p.m. on the first Saturday of each month at Adamec Harley-Davidson at 380 Outlet Mall Blvd. in St. Augustine.

Saturday Morning Cruise-and-Chill: 9 a.m. to noon every third Saturday at Big Boy Airbrush in a neighborhood at 7822 Fox Tail Lane. 

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.” 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.

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 is a memorial to Tom Poleski, and a fundraiser for the late Callahan Cruisers member’s family.

Downtown Kingsland Cars & Coffee: 9 a.m. to noon 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. (winter hours) 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.

New cruise-in site: Amelia Cruizers: 3 to 5 p.m. on Saturday, Feb. 17, and every third Saturday at the Beach Diner at 2008 S. 8^th St. in Fernandina Beach..

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. 

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;  New – 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. every third Saturday at Mr. Chubby’s Wings at 2349 Village Square Parkway in Fleming Island; 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 the OP Dreamette at 1177 Park Ave. in Orange Park; 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.

Vaughn Motorgroup’s “Cars & Coffee Reunion” is 8 to 11 a.m. on the first Sunday of each month at dealership at 11350 San Jose Blvd. First Come First served on indoor parking.

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.

And …

With hints of its 1990s Portofino concept, as well as current and imminent Dodge Charger, Chrysler today unveiled its Halcyon Concept, showing off a possible EV future for the brand that embraces sustainability-driven exterior and interior design, full autonomy paired with personalized driving experiences and futuristic technology.

“The Chrysler Halcyon Concept creates a level of serenity that fully represents the Halcyon name. The Halcyon showcases innovative and sustainable mobility solutions that embrace technology and offer value to customers while delivering Harmony in Motion,” said Chris Feuell, Chrysler brand CEO – Stellantis. “The Chrysler Halcyon Concept brings to life a fully electric tomorrow through new technology suites from Stellantis that integrate with simple and pure aerodynamic design and a seamless, connected and immersive cockpit experience.”

The Halcyon is the latest in a progression of futuristic concepts representing the brand’s electrification transformation. Previously, the brand revealed the Chrysler Portal Concept in 2017, the Chrysler Airflow Concept in 2022 and the Chrysler Synthesis Cockpit Demonstrator in 2023.

Chrysler will launch the brand’s first battery-electric vehicle in 2025, and will feature an all-electric portfolio in 2028. The Chrysler Halcyon Concept reinforces the brand’s commitment to the Stellantis Dare Forward 2030 plan, which cultivates the electrified and more efficient propulsion systems that will enable Stellantis to cut its global carbon footprint by 50% by 2030 and to lead the transportation industry by achieving net carbon zero by 2038.

The Chrysler Halcyon Concept, designed on the STLA Large platform, offers an aerodynamic, streamlined and uncompromising vision of the Chrysler brand’s future exterior character. The concept’s combination of seamless technology and battery-electric performance work in harmony with a pure, streamlined exterior design that ingeniously embeds aerodynamic elements.

Dramatic sculptural styling starts at the front of the futuristic four-door Halcyon, with the body plunging to within four inches of the road. A subtle-yet-functional front air blade aerodynamic pass-through area enhances performance and all-important BEV range capability. The pass-through is visible from the cockpit, providing the driver a real-world connection with the concept’s performance and functionality.

Aston Martin presented its new race cars this week, unveiling three on the same day.

Fittingly unveiled on the day that the marque’s AMR24 Formula 1 challenger first touched the tarmac at the home of British motorsport, the new Vantage is the quintessential Aston Martin sports car and the most driver focused and fastest Vantage in the nameplate’s history. Having been introduced in the year of the first World Championship Formula One race at Silverstone in 1950, the 74-year history of Vantage runs side-by-side with that of the famous circuit that Aston Martin’s team now calls home at the cutting-edge AMR Technology Campus.

Engineered for real drivers, Vantage’s authentic, unadulterated celebration of pure performance, technically crafted to deliver maximum thrills with maximum confidence, sits naturally alongside the marque’s visceral challenger for the 2024 FIA Formula One World Championship. Both cars represent Aston Martin’s ambition to be a leader in high-performance technologies and on track, with the Aston Martin Aramco Formula One Team seeking to build on its best-ever season in 2023, claiming nine podiums and 280 Championship points under the expert control of Fernando Alonso and Lance Stroll.

Between these two weapons of road and track sits the Vantage GT3 racer, inspired by the production sports car whose famous name it shall boldly carry to some of the world’s most prestigious endurance events including the 24 Hours of Le Mans in 2024.