This year brings the 21st annual Ponte Vedra Auto Show — or, if you prefer, the 20th anniversary of that first show in 2003. This is also another major anniversary in the automotive world; it’s the 75th anniversary of Porsche, which produced its first car in 1948.
This is also the fourth year Art ‘n Motion of St. Augustine has operated the show.
Over the years, the Ponte Vedra Auto Show has demonstrated its continued popularity. Hundreds of vehicles have appeared at the show, representing nearly every era, style and manufacturer in America, and the world at large.
Some changes have been made over the past two decades.
Originally a creation of the St. Johns County Chamber of Commerce, the first show was held in the Sawgrass Village shopping center parking lot. In those early years, it was held each April. In 2011, it was moved to the lawn at the TPC Sawgrass clubhouse, near the famed Stadium Course, annually the site of THE PLAYERS Championship.
In 2012, the date was changed. The show was moved to September. The event was presented by the Chamber in partnership with Brumos Porsche. Celebrated racecar driver Hurley Haywood served as a guest judge, and among the attendees were Bill Warner, founder of the Amelia Island Concours d’Elegance, and Ray Shaffer, then-general manager of Brumos Porsche.
Porsche, too, remains an important part of show history. On the 10th anniversary in 2013, the unveiling of the 2014 Porsche Panamera was featured. Also that year, a panel discussion was held with the Brumos Racing Team.
The following year, the Brumos Companies served as the presenting sponsor.
This year, The Brumos Collection is one of the show’s sponsors.
The 20th anniversary of the Porsche 992 was celebrated at the 2015 show.
The next year, the Ponte Vedra Auto Show fell on Sept. 11, the 15th anniversary of the infamous terrorist attacks in New York City, in Pennsylvania and at the Pentagon. A special tribute honoring first responders and those who lost their lives that day was incorporated into the program.
2016 also saw the show move to another location, Nocatee Town Center Field, which was near the Publix Supermarket.
In 2017, Hurricane Irma crashed the party, forcing organizers to reschedule the show to Sept. 24. The community was still cleaning up on that date, but the show still attracted 3,500 people, a testament to how important this show is to local residents.
In 2018, the show was moved to its current location, Nocatee Station Field. That year, there was a special focus on the 70th anniversary of the Porsche 356, the automaker’s first model.
The date of the show was moved once again, this time to Sept. 22 in anticipation of Hurricane Dorian, which fortunately did not actually come ashore.
In 2020, Art ‘n Motion took the show’s reins from the Chamber and the date was changed to November as a prudent safeguard against further hurricane threats. Unfortunately, the pandemic posed a serious challenge, but in the end, the show was still held.
