Are you one of those last minute shoppers, rushing around trying to get everything on that Holiday List? If you are still missing some items or need ideas, here are some great options for those Car Enthusiast friends and/or family members. Are you the enthusiast? Share the link with your significant other to pass along. Some items would even make great stocking stuffers! Check‘em out:
1 – Tire Gauge
On the low end of price options at $17.97, this gift is perfect for any car enthusiast – especially those who enjoy running their cars and/or motorcycles on the track. While there are many different available gages out there, we prefer this durable, easy to read, analog display gage.
2 – Radar Detector
An awesome gift you can get for anyone who loves gunning it and letting those engines stretch on drives. While there are many different options to pick from, we recommend our favorite, the Valentine One, as it has an outstanding history of accuracy and performance. Even Car and Driver stated: “The Valentine has LED arrows on its face that tell you whether the radar is ahead of you or behind you. Live with this feature for a while, and you’ll wonder how you ever lived without it.” The Valentine One is priced at $399.
Already have one? Check out the available accessories for those stockings!
3 – Movies
These DVDs are perfect stocking stuffers and can generally be bought at Target, BestBuy or Amazon. We recommend the following movies for a variety of different reasons:
The Right to Win (2004) – A documentary that offers a slightly different look back on Ayrton Senna’s life through the perspective of personal recollections of Formula One drivers, relatives, and friends portraying his passionate genius, his complicated personality and a deeper understanding of his motivation and deep commitment to motor racing. This film features actors like Prost, Hill, Walker and many more.
Senna (2010) – A documentary spanning Ayrton Senna’s years as a three-time Formula One racing driver and champion and Brazil’s national hero before his untimely death at age 34. Senna explores the life and work of the triple world champion, his physical and spiritual achievements on the track, his quest for perfection and the mythical status he has since attained.
Rush (2013) – A historic look back at the merciless competitive rivalry Nikki Lauder (Daniel Bruehl) and James Hunt (Chris Hemsworth) shared in the 1970s during their careers as Formula One drivers. This movie goes into the technical detail of the cars, race and track. It is an entertaining must watch for any car fanatic!
Need for Speed (2014) – A typical Hollywood movie full of action, drama and trills. This movie features a struggling street racer/ex-prisoner (Tobey Marshall aka Aaron Paul) framed for the murder of his ‘little brother’ by the wealthy businessman, Dino Brewster (Dominic Cooper) and Tobey’s drive to beet Dino in a high-stakes race to once-and-for-all put Dino in his place and regain control over his own muscle car shop.
4 – TAG Heuer Watch
If you are up for making a rather large purchase, consider gifting one of the Carrera, Grand Carrera or Formula One TAG Heuer watches. They are all extremely beautiful and timeless pieces.
- The Carrera Watch was created by Jack Heuer in 1963 as a tribute to the epic Carrera Panamericana Mexico Race continuing its legendary journey with the Carrera Caliber 1887, TAG Heuer in-house movement. This watch has won many awards and been seen worn by people like Leonardo DiCaprio, Matt Damon, and Jason Statham.
- The Grand Carrera Watch is a reinterpretation of the original Carrera Watch, bringing refinement, precision, innovation and uniqueness to the table with the unconventional rotation system. All Grand Carrera timepieces are COSC-certified chronometers, sporting the highest mark of quality, accuracy and precision in Swiss watchmaking.
- Formula 1 superstars from Ayrton Senna to Jenson Button have required a high performance watch to fit the extreme demands of life at 200mph. Directly inspired by high performance F1 automotive technology, the TAG Heuer Formula 1 series has all six characteristics of a professional sports watch, with bold, contemporary style to match today’s lifestyles. For those women car enthusiasts, the TAG Heuer Formula 1 Lady exhibits a fashionable mix of steel and ceramic, elevated by the dazzle of diamonds to create watches that are strong and feminine, contemporary and timeless.
5 – Ride Along / Driving Experiences
Purchase something your gift receiver would likely never consider getting for him- or herself. While this purchasing process will differ depending on where you live, below are some thought starters/example from different areas across the US:
Nascar (Atlanta)
- 3 Lap Ride Along: $63.13
- Get in the driver’s seat for 8 laps: $449
Formula 1 (Many Cities) – Around the $7k – $9k range for the full experience. Check out an article about the Austin, COTA experience here.
Skip Barber Driving Schools (Many Cities) – starting at $595 for the Intro to Racing course, gift certificates available.
6 – Cuff Links
Want something to set your car enthusiast apart and spruce up that boring business suit? Consider getting these TAG Heuer Heritage Car Gear Box Cuff Links at $320.00. They will definitely be a conversation starter with other car enthusiasts, as likely only they will recognize the imagery of the gear box.
7 – Garage Additions and Accessories
Does your gift receiver have a garage that he/she wants to take to the next level? Consider purchasing an air compressor combo kit. Home Depot has some great options available at affordable prices, starting as low as $55.30!
Another viable option for those messy garages would be a HUSKY Tool Chest or Workbench. They vary significantly in size and price but would definitely add a level of sophistication to any car enthusiast’s garage.
8 – Car Enthusiast Gift Cards
While gift cards are not very personable, they are small and easy to fit into those stockings. Here are a few gift card ideas almost any car enthusiast would appreciate: Gas Station, Local Car Wash, Home Depot, Local Automotive Store (AutoZone, O’Reilly’s, Pep Boys), Track Days / Performance Driving Events.
Anything you feel we are missing? Let us know, and we’ll definitely consider it for next year’s list! Merry Christmas & Happy Holidays!!