Selfvation Spotlight: John Budinich of Cars & Coffee of the Upstate

The car community is built on passion, connection, and the shared joy of automotive culture. Few people embody these values as deeply as John Budinich, President of Cars & Coffee of the Upstate LLC. With over a decade of experience organizing events, John has not only fostered a thriving car culture in the Upstate but also influenced how enthusiasts across generations connect through their love for cars.

In this exclusive spotlight, John shares his journey, the inspiration behind his work, and his thoughts on the evolving car scene.

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1. What first inspired you to start organizing car meets and events?

I was a member of two different car clubs but due to different “rules” and “insurance requirements” they would not do joint events. I was involved with Euro Auto Festival for 10 years as well but it was like other shows in the area, either brand specific or limited participation. I read an article about Cars & Coffee in Irvine, CA and thought an open event for all makes and models, where everyone was a participant with no entry fee or judging, would be something that might catch on in this area. That’s what led me to start Cars & Coffee of the Upstate in March of 2011. Now it’s been running for 14 years, so I guess it caught on.

2. Do you have a favorite memory or moment from the car meets you’ve helped bring together?

There are a great deal of good memories from doing club events, Euro Auto Festival and the monthly Cars & Coffee events for the first 13 years and now quarterly. One that stands out is the acceptance of Cars & Coffee which has grown from 17 cars at the beginning to now over 1,200 at times. Another is giving back to the local community through food drives and the recent hurricane relief donations. But one of my favorites is the family friendly environment which brings children to the events and gets them interested in the automotive hobby. The cars owners sharing their passion and cars, no matter what they are driving, shines a very positive light on the future of the hobby.

3. What is the biggest change you have see in the years you have been running events?

Two of the biggest changes I have see are first, the tremendous growth of the car scene in the Upstate. Not only has Cars & Coffee of the Upstate grown from 17 to 20 cars the first few months to now 900 to 1,200 cars but the number of events has exploded. There were always shows for specific types of vehicles which typically have entry fees but now there are also at least 8 different Cars & Coffee events and multiple pop-up and cruise-In style events. You can find multiple events every weekend and some nights during the week.

The second change is the amount of women involved in the automotive culture. The amount of women doing their own builds, owning automotive related businesses, involved in Motorsports, running events and having a presence as automotive influencers is fantastic. I have featured “Women in Drive” at Cars & Coffee events a number of times the last six years and the response has been overwhelming. The women involved shared their experiences and it was great to see people’s daughters eyes light up when they realized they can have a future in automotive as well. Some of the Upstate women brought out their races cars from Time Attack, Cyclekart, Hillclimb and Pike Peak. One, Laura Hayes, even won her class at this year’s Pikes Peak event and set the record as the fastest women ever at Pikes Peak. The more women are involved in the automotive world, the brighter the future for the hobby.

4. What is it about large car events that brings people back time and again?

I think the draws of a large show are the amount of different vehicles present, the chance you will see something you’ve never seen before, the variety of ideas you can get for your own future mods and the different people you can meet. The large events tend to get a lot of new participants each time, so the mix is always different.

5. What drew you to the Selfvation community, and how has it influenced your view on car culture?

The initial draw was to see a different side of the Upstate automotive culture. I have been doing the large Cars & Coffee of the Upstate morning style events for 14 years and the Selfvation events were a smaller, nighttime gathering which tend to be a different crowd. What I continue to like about the Selfvation community is the unplanned, “pop up” events and the fact the events are run right and respect the venue. It also shows me the automotive hobby is alive and well and growing across generations.

6. Is there something about the Selfvation community that feels unique compared to other car groups you’ve been a part of?

Most car groups I have been involved in previously were brand or country of origin related. Selfvation meets are open to every type of vehicle and age group, which is the same premise I followed when starting Cars & Coffee of the Upstate. The open atmosphere of this community is very welcoming, which adds to the fun.

7. In what ways do you hope to see the Selfvation community grow or evolve in the future?

I wouldn’t want to limit things by being too specific. The Selfvation community should continue to be open to all automotive enthusiasts and grow through continuing what got them to this point. Success breeds success and the “pop up” meets should be the calling card while adding an occasional larger weekend meet to show how big the community has grown. Adding in some community related activities (food drive, charity event, etc.) will gain support from the local establishment for the “car community”.

8. What are you currently driving, and do you have a favorite mod?

I currently drive a 1986 Porsche 944 and a 2022 Porsche 911 Carrera S. The Carrera S has remained stock (so far) but the 944 has undergone a number of mods as I bought it new in 1986. I would say my favorite mod would be the suspension changes. It’s been lowered about an inch with Porsche’s M030 sway bars, springs, Koni adjustable shocks and Plus 2 fitment of 17” wheels and tires. These changes have made it a blast on the mountain roads around the Upstate, my favorite being Highway 28 from Walhalla to Highlands.

The second mod that I enjoy a lot is the major stereo upgrade I did when I sold a Suburban and moved the audio system to the 944. This included removing the rear seat and adding a custom amp/subwoofer enclosure in its place, two amps, 10 speakers and a new head unit. Sometimes you want to hear something other that the exhaust note.

9. Are there any specific builds or projects you’re working on or planning right now?

I am planning to redo the seat upholstery and dash in the 944 as they are now 38 years old and do for a refresh. I am also starting to get ideas for the 911, which will probably start with an exhaust system and maybe a Stage 1 tune. We’ll see on that.

10. How has being part of a car community changed the way you view the car scene as a whole?

Being part of a community, such as Selfvation or Cars & Coffee of the Upstate, as opposed to just being in a specific car club, has shown that an enthusiast can be an enthusiast no matter what they drive. The community vibe is welcoming whether you drive a Honda, Mustang, Porsche, MOPAR, Exotic or whatever. Clubs are specific and have their place for building support for a brand, having a base to get brand specific discounts and for specific interests. A community may not be able to answer a specific automotive need of a member but it gives members ideas and opportunities they may not have considered in the past.

11. What advice would you share with someone who’s just getting into the car community, especially around car events?

First and foremost go in with an open mind and open eyes. Every event is different in some way as it meets the vision of the organizer. Learn from what you see an you will be able to find the events that best suit your interests and needs while also getting to see something different that may take you in a different direction. Don’t worry if what you are driving will fit in or be accepted, we all started with what we could afford. Another way to look at it is a true enthusiast is always thinking of their next ride or mod, so it’s never a finished product.

12. If you could pick one car event in the world to attend or organize, what would it be and why?

I guess the one to attend would be the Monaco Grand Prix race on a VIP pass. Probably the most historic and glamorous F1 race in the world. As for organizing, it would be a ton of work but something similar to Exotics on Broadway, which takes place during Monterey Car Week. That looks to be an awesome event and the ultimate eye candy. Nine city blocks of hyper cars & exotic cars with over 50,000 people in attendance.

13. What are your hopes for the future of car events, especially as the community grows?

I hope they continue to grow in a responsible and welcoming way. By growth I don’t mean in size necessarily, as large venues are hard to come by, but in the number of events. The car community in the Upstate area has grown tremendously in the past few years and continues to grow. There is plenty of room for additional cruise-ins, pop-ups, shows and

more for enthusiasts to enjoy.

14. What impact would you like to see car events have on the local community?

I would hope the impact would be a positive one. The events should be socially responsible and not disruptive to the general public. Once in a while they should help the general community by giving back through supporting a charity or cause of some sort. In this way the events can shine a positive light on the car hobby and lead to more acceptance by potential venues or audiences. 

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As car events continue to grow, John hopes they remain socially responsible and community-focused. By giving back to local causes, events can foster acceptance and ensure the car hobby thrives for years to come.

John’s story is a testament to what can be achieved when passion meets purpose. At Selfvation, we’re proud to spotlight leaders like John who not only shape the car scene but also inspire the next generation of enthusiasts.

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