By: Joe DeSalvo

The San Jose Car & Truck Show was blessed with ideal weather, its largest field ever and Bishop Erik Pohlmeier among the large turnout of showgoers enjoying the festivities on April 1 at Dupont Station Shopping Center.

The eighth annual event, presented by Key Buick GMC Hyundai Genesis and North Florida Lincoln, surpassed the 100-car mark for the first time as 109 vehicles of all types and eras, competed in 12 classes.

Most importantly, the show raised a record $11,036 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.

The San Jose Apartments board of directors and staff also secured support from additional sponsors and received generous donations at the show to propel this annual fundraiser over the $60,000 mark in total funding — $60,160 to be exact — since its inaugural show in 2016.

To illustrate just how far this car show has come since its inaugural event, $1,125 was raised in 2016 with a field of 21 cars competing in just four classes. 

“Best show ever,’’ said Alma Ballard, executive director/management agent of Family Housing Management Company after the final award was presented. “The people. The amount cars we had. The money that I know that we had raised. You can’t beat it.

“And the energy here today was something you can’t even explain,’’ Ballard said. “Having the bishop and his support for what we do is amazing. For him to take time to come out on a Saturday, to walk around and talk to people and have pictures taken was so special. And, he also found that a lot of the car owners were parishioners. So, that made it even better.’’

Bishop Pohlmeier, making his first visit to the car show since being ordained the 11th bishop of the St. Augustine diocese last July, was impressed with the scene.

“It’s amazing,’’ he said. “So many people out here. Cars of all kinds; it’s beautiful.

“I’ve gotten my chance to visit the San Jose [Apartments] homes and our other homes [Hurley in Jacksonville and Barry in Palatka] and I can see the benefit to the people who live there,’’ Bishop Pohlmeier said, “and how well they’re taken care of and the commitment that’s been made to them. I’m glad to have this chance to be with them [at the show].’’

The show has also received invaluable help from the Jacksonville Car Culture. The group, which produces the monthly Caffeine and Octane Jacksonville cruise-in at The Avenues mall, agreed last year to donate its time and resources to support the event.

“It was an incredible honor to help with marketing and logistics for the eight annual San Jose Car and Truck Show,’’ said president Chris Brewer. “Many thanks to the volunteer team, sponsors and show entrants for working together to make the event a great success.

“The only thing that shone brighter than the exciting field of show vehicles was knowing that our efforts helped support the mission of the Bishop John J. Snyder Community Center,’’ Brewer said.

Working alongside Brewer and his group was Dan Scanlan, who served as chief judge. Scanlan, a veteran and award-winning automotive journalist and now news reporter for WJCT, has been a judge all eight years.

He continues to be impressed with the field that’s uniformly parked in the Dupont Station parking lot.

“A hundred-plus cars; great variety; amazing classics; some serious RestoMods; and some serious class assemblies of Mustangs and Corvettes,’’ Scanlan said. “I’m loving it.’’

As to why the San Jose Car & Truck Show continues to grow, Scanlan said, “It could be that it’s a benefit show, going right down the street [to San Jose Apartments’ community center], so you know the money’s local. It could be that it’s a favorite among locals because you’re done by 11:30 or noon.’’

This year’s efficiently run show ended at 11:29 a.m. with Dan Marks’ stunning 1959 Highland Green Poly Chrysler Saratoga sedan, with its unique swivel front seats, named Best of Show by the judges.

Marks, who lives in Mandarin, said except for a new exhaust and brakes, everything is original — including the 39,000 miles on the Golden Lion 383 cubic-inch V-8.

“I enjoy bringing it to shows and letting others see the classic lines of big-fin cars,’’ he said. “Having showgoers sit and swivel themselves behind the steering wheel to feel the comfort and luxury of the Saratoga always brings smiles to their faces.’’

It was Marks’ first time at the show, but not his last.

“This is a great show; I love the venue,’’ Marks said. “The area is perfect for it. I’m looking forward to it next year.’’

Eric Thompson, general sales manager for Key Hyundai and Genesis, enjoys hearing that type of reaction.

“This is actually the best of all the shows we’ve had to date,’’ Thompson said. “It’s a record turnout, and everyone I’ve spoken with is having a great time. It’s definitely a great experience to see all these cars here and everybody enjoying themselves.

“It’s been a labor love that started eight years ago and it’s been growing ever since,’’ said Thompson, who brought several 2023 models for showgoers to check out.

Among the eye-catching vehicles was the all-new electric Moke making its debut. It’s an open-air, street-legal low-speed four-seater available in 12 colors and fully customizable; it’s sold exclusively in the area at Moke America Jacksonville, located at Key Auto Company.

Join us for the ninth annual San Jose Car & Truck Show on Saturday, April 6, 2024, from 8:30 to 11:30 a.m. at the Dupont Station Shopping Center. More details and registration information will be available closer to the event date.

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

2023 San Jose Car & Truck Show

Award Winners

BEST OF SHOW

Sponsor:  A-Coin & Stamp Gallery

First Place: Dan Marks’ 1959 Chrysler Saratoga

PEOPLE’S CHOICE AWARD

Sponsor:  Krispy Kreme in Mandarin

First Place: Hardy Fletcher’s Volkswagen Beetle with VW mini-bike on display trailer

BEST CLASSIC AMERICAN – PRE-1980

Sponsor: Trad’s Pest Control

First Place: Tim Mesmer’s 1970 Plymouth AAR Cuda

BEST CLASSIC FOREIGN – PRE-1980

Sponsors: Jim and Joyce Dolan

First Place: Sidney W. Raper Jr.’s 1967 Datsun 2000

BEST IMPORT

Sponsor: Joe and Mary DeSalvo

First Place: Connor Grooms’ 1992 Honda Prelude

BEST CORVETTE

Sponsor: Dave Mosby, Residential Designs

First Place: Steve Edenfield’s 1956 Chevrolet Corvette

BEST MUSTANG

Sponsor: Kathy and Jerry Weedon

First Place: Art Yates’ 1971 Ford Mustang Mach 1

BEST MODERN ERA CAR

Sponsor: IMC Telecommunication

First Place: Kevin Eldridge’s 2019 Audi RS5

BEST EUROPEAN

Sponsor:  Jack Corrigan’s Sol Pool Services

First Place: Gene Gorman’s 2010 Mercedes C63

BEST EUROPEAN – PRE-1970

Sponsor:  Morgran Mini Warehouses

First Place: Hardy Fletcher’s Volkswagen Beetle with VW mini-bike on display trailer

BEST TRUCK

Sponsor:  Jason Miller, Morgan & Morgan

First Place: Warner Harloff’s 1975 Chevrolet Blazer

BEST TRUCK – PRE-1970

Sponsor: Walsh Investment Consulting Group

First Place: Dewey Williamson’s 1931 Ford Model A Roadster Pickup

RADDEST RAT ROD

Sponsor: San Jose Council #12619, Knights of Columbus

First Place: Kyle Miller’s 1965 Ford F-100/Rat Truck