By Joe DeSalvo
Special for the St. Augustine Catholic

Tim “T.J.’’ Mesmer has won his share of awards the past six years as owner of a beautiful 1970 Plymouth Hemi ‘Cuda Convertible. Accepting them at fund-raising events is even more rewarding.

That was the case on April 10 as Mesmer’s Limelight Green ‘Cuda, with its iconic Shaker hood scoop, was judged Best of Show at the San Jose Car & Truck Show, held at Dupont Station Shopping Center.

The sixth annual event, held on a comfortable sun-kissed morning, had a strong field of 61 vehicles and arguably its biggest crowd. Combined with solid support from sponsors, the show raised $8,616 for the Bishop John J. Snyder Community Center at nearby San Jose Apartments for seniors.

The community center, located between HUD-assisted San Jose Apartments I and II on Galicia Road, was named in honor of the late Bishop Snyder, who served the Diocese of St. Augustine from 1979 to 2000. Many of the activities and services for the senior residents are held at the center. The complex is managed by Family Housing Management Company for the Diocese of St. Augustine.

In addition to having presenting sponsor Key Buick GMC Hyundai Genesis and North Florida Lincoln back for a sixth year, the San Jose Apartments board of directors and staff also secured support from additional sponsors to ensure that they would reach their goal of surpassing the $30,000 mark in total funding.

Mission accomplished: The established show has now generated $32,000 for the Bishop Snyder Center.

‘’We had a great turnout; we had great cars; lots of spectators looking at the cars, and we raised a good amount of money,’’ said Alma Ballard, executive director/management agent of Family Housing Management Company. ”The residents will be pleased with the activities and things we can do for them. We can fund the Snyder Center for another year. We’re blessed, very blessed.’’

And very happy to know that their show was only the third event Mesmer has attended since moving from Charlotte to Jacksonville a little more than a year ago.

“I really enjoy being part of these charity-driven car show events as a way of helping support individuals or other charitable needs within our community,’’ Mesmer said. “I am hoping to hit many more now that things are opening back up.’’

Chris Brewer, director of communications for the Amelia Island Concours d’Elegance Foundation and one of four judges at the show, admitted that it was difficult determining the winners of the 10 judged classes.

“It was an honor to be invited to judge at the San Jose Car & Truck Show, but choosing a Best of Show winner was no easy task,’’ said Brewer, who’s also the founder of the Jacksonville Car Culture group. “The quality of cars represented was incredible.

“In the judges’ discussion, there were a number of vehicles that could have taken the top spot, but In the end, we made the decision to award T.J. Mesmer’s stunning 1970 Plymouth Hemi ‘Cuda with the prize. The quality of the paint, the attention to detail, and the overall presentation helped push the muscle car over the top.’’

Lauren Fix, nationally known as “The Car Coach,’’ was a guest judge along with her husband, Paul, owner of Fix Motorsports, LLC, an award-winning restorer of classic and performance automobiles.

Lauren was impressed with the event and the quality of cars in the field.

“I thought the show was really nice; some really beautiful cars,’’ she said. “And it just showcases the diversity of the cars in this area. It was fun to be here.’’

For those showgoers in the market for a new vehicle, Eric Thompson, a sales manager with the Key group, once again coordinated an onsite collection for folks to check out. It’s something he looks forward to doing each year.

“It was a great show; we had such a diverse amount of cars out here,’’ Thompson said. “It was a tremendous show in terms of creating interest in the new car lines we brought out, but more importantly, the amount of interest that this show brings and the fact that people support it so well. It’s great to see. It’s all for a great cause.’’

Nathan Deremer, owner and CEO of Deremer Studios, created a photo gallery from the San Jose Car & Truck Show. Check it out at deremerstudios.com.

2021 San Jose Car & Truck Show Award Winners

BEST OF SHOW

Sponsor:  A-Coin & Stamp Gallery
First Place: Tim Mesmer’s 1970 Plymouth Hemi ‘Cuda

PEOPLE’S CHOICE AWARD

Sponsor:  Krispy Kreme in Mandarin
First Place: Richard Mitchell’s 2017 Corvette Z06

BEST CLASSIC AMERICAN – PRE-1970

Sponsor: Trad’s Pest Control
First Place: Pam and Steve Kerlin’s 1957 Chevrolet Bel Air Nomad

BEST CLASSIC FOREIGN – PRE-1970

Sponsors: Jim Dolan and Joe Cusick
First Place: Hardy Fletcher’s 1966 Volkswagen Beetle

BEST MUSTANG

Sponsor: Kathy and Jerry Weedon
First Place: Mike Caudill’s 2016 GT350

BEST MODERN ERA CAR

Sponsor: IMC Telecommunication
First Place: Fred Yarbrough’s2020 Dodge Challenger Hellcat Redeye

BEST CORVETTE

Sponsor: San Jose Apartments Board of Directors 
First Place: Mike Relick’s 1958 Corvette Convertible

BEST EUROPEAN

Sponsor:  Jack Corrigan’s Sol Pool Services
First Place (tie): Tren and Donna Brownley’s 1974 Triumph TR6 and Robert Hegi’s 1998 BMW M3

BEST EUROPEAN – PRE-1970

Sponsor:  Morgran Mini Warehouses
First Place: Richard and Sharon Pierce’s 1963 Austin-Healey Sprite

BEST TRUCK

Sponsor:  Jason Miller, Morgan & Morgan
First Place: Randy Downing’s 1951 Dodge M37

BEST TRUCK – PRE-1970

Sponsor: Walsh Investment Consulting Group
First Place: Mike Farhat’s 1959 Chevrolet Apache 3600