Father’s Day gifts for the rev-head dad

Your dad’s love of cars opens up all sorts of possibilities for a great Father’s Day gift so here are 10 ideas if you’re struggling for inspiration.

If you’re reading this now, it might be a little late to order stuff online – but don’t worry, just print him a picture, plonk it in a card and tell him it’s on its way.

Dirty Nails Bloody Knuckles t-shirts

We’d normally steer clear of clothes for Dad’s Day, but this great range of wearable car-porn from DNKB will have him waiting keenly for the warmer weather to arrive, especially if he’s into performance European cars and Japanese chariots.

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How to Illustrate and Design Concept Cars

Whether your dad likes doodling cars at meetings or designs Ssanyong SUVs, this excellent book will help him improve his car-sketching and design skills. Written by magazine illustrator Adrian Dewey it includes 200 pictures and step-by-step guides for drawing everything from components to full-blown show cars.

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Motoring Magazines

The weather is warming up which means more hammock time for Dad and a chance to read more motoring magazines like Wheels, Motor, 4X4, Street Machine and Unique Cars. Get him a print or digital subscription for these and other great Aussie motoring tiles at Mag Shop.

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Carmaker merchandise

Whether your dad loves his car or covets something out of reach he’d appreciate some official manufacturer merch. Avoid stuff like golf balls or cufflinks he’ll never wear and instead go for shirts, watches, models, bags or a keyring like this nifty BMW kidney grille number. Most car manufacturers sell kit at dealerships or through the accessories section on their website.

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Model cars

Models cars are sure to put a smile on a guy’s face, whether they’re incredibly detailed 1:18 scale diecast models such as this Ferrari F40 by the likes of Bburago, Biante and Autoart priced from around $150 to $270 or smaller 1:43 models by Biante, Autoart, Corgi and Trax costing around $70. Both scales feature heaps of Aussie options from classic Holdens and Fords through to the latest V8 Supercars. As any collector will tell you, model cars are an investment, not a toy, though be prepared to catch the old man rolling it along his desk while making “vroom vroom” noises.

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Mothers Wax ‘Attack’ Lithium polish kit

If your dad is one of those guys who obsesses with keeping cars clean and waxed you can prevent the onset of repetitive strain injury with one of these polishing kits. Great for cars, trucks, boats and caravans, the cordless polisher’s random orbital action requires less wax and provides a swirl free finish.

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Lego Creator London Bus

We all loved the Lego Creator VW Kombi and Ferrari F40 sets, but this literally takes things to a new level with 1680-pieces worth of skilful entertainment. Measuring 34cm long by 18cm high, it comes with a heap of functions including an opening hood with engine inside, detailed driver’s cab and a removable roof and upper deck for access to the detailed interior. Inside, there are authentic details, including a forgotten umbrella, newspaper, empty drink can and discarded chewing gum. Just as well it’s not a night bus.

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Driving experience

There’s a myriad of these now from hot laps in V8 Supercars to weekend stunt driver schools. Other fun stuff includes learning how to drift, rally driving, classic car hire and defensive driving courses. There are plenty of companies that run these, such as Adrenalineand Red Balloonand even prestige car makers such as Audi and Porsche. Whatever you choose, be prepared for Dad to go on about it every time the family get together.

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Next Level Racing Official Holden Racing Team Simulator

Pagnian Advanced Simulation has a diverse range of driving simulator hardware, including this complete Holden Racing Team cockpit by Next Level Racing to take driving games to, err, the next level. OK, at $1099 we’re getting toward the pricier end here, but think of everything the old man has done for you as well as the fact this will also provide endless of hours of fun for you.

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Ferrari carbonfibre chess set

Carbonfibre is renowned for its high strength combined with light weight so it’s the obvious choice of material for a chess set, right? For the Ferrari owner with every conceivable extra and lots of disposable income this hyperbolic set from the Ferrari Store includes a lockable carbon-clad wooden case, varnished wooden pieces and prancing knights to justify the $2370 price tag.

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