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The Christmas Gift Guide for Car Enthusiasts!
The weather is finally deciding to warm up, which can only mean one thing for us southern hemisphereans: the season of gifting is upon us all. (Oh, and merriment and catching up with family, etc...)
Are you struggling to find the perfect gift for the car enthusiast in your life? Look no further!
In this article, we've compiled a list of top gift ideas for car lovers. From car accessories to gadgets and tools, we've got something for every type of car enthusiast.
Whether they're a professional mechanic or just a casual car lover, these gifts are sure to rev their engines and put a smile on their face this holiday season.
If, somehow, you don't find the right gift in our big list below, be sure to check out our gear guide.
Photo at top of story: Annie Spratt on Unsplash
JUMP AHEAD
- Books & prints
- Apparel & wearables
- Tech
- For the kids (big & small)
- Lego
- Tools
- Car cleaning gear
- Big spender
Books & prints
Street Machine 2022 Yearbook
Have the year perfectly summarised by taking delivery of Street Machine's 2022 Yearbook, featuring reader vehicles such as Valiants, Cortinas, and HK Monaros. The Yearbook is on sale now.
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From our own shop: Premium wall art prints
Got a hall that needs decking? Our very own shop has prints of our most popular photos, such as the Torana L34 or the BMW Batwing. Prints are available in various sizes and prices begin at $29 for a 28 x 43cm photo.
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Haynes Workshop Manual – Porsche 956/962
Main dealer servicing bills crucifying you? Haynes has the perfect way to save a few bucks when servicing your Porsche prototype. haynes.com
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Car silhouettes from Petrol Vibes
After decking your halls with our photo prints, perhaps you'd like to deck another part of your home with these minimalistic car silhouettes from petrolvibes.com. These pieces are powder-coated steel and would be a unique addition to any space in the home.
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Rolf Stommelen 1976 Porsche 935 Print
Ricardo Santos is a Portuguese graphic designer producing stunning art pieces featuring some of motorsport’s biggest icons. ricardo-car-artwork.com
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Car cave art
Most old fellas love decorating their man cave with sweet automotive ephemera, and there’s a whole bunch to choose from on Hard to Find.
We dig this ‘Hot Rod Garage’ sign, but there’s plenty to choose from to suit just about any dad.
Apparel & wearables
Car pins from Leen Customs
These stylised badges offer a unique design and feature many cars from the McLaren 720S and the Ferrari 458. Also available (while stocks last) are limited edition badges designed after different cult classics, such as the S15 200SX (or Sylvia), Nissan 280Z and the Mitsubishi Evo 5. Prices start from $15.
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V-Max Socks - $16
This mob creates the socks you won’t mind getting for Christmas. This pair taps 80s cult SEGA video game OutRun with pixelated palm trees, fictional Testarossa Spider and all. heeltread.com
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AE86-themed kicks from Hardtuned
The cult classic car that grew to prominence due to racing with minimal traction gets a fair and proper tribute from Hardtuned in the form of footwear - that presumably has good traction. A fan of the plucky little Toyota, or even someone who enjoys the Initial D manga or drift culture would enjoy these additions to their feet.
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Milwaukee heated jackets and hoodies - from $99
Not so useful for the typical Aussie Christmas, but think ahead to all those cold days in the garage with these hoodies from Milwaukee (available from Total Tools) and you'll quickly see why these heated jackets would be handy for the tinkerer. Good for eight hours of heat, these jackets will help keep the wearer warm without needing to add multiple bulky layers.
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Street Machine merch!
We've just launched a brand-new Street Machine merchandise website and have dropped some fresh new merch to get your mitts on. Our new Torana GTR XU-1 T-shirt features a killer design by Ten Tenths Creative, the artist behind the awesome HQFORU image that graced the cover of our September ’21 mag.
The Strike Me Pink Torry rocks killer sidepipes and Hotwire mags, and the shirt also sports the famous Torana slogan from the 70s. We’ve also thrown our super-popular SM tacho design onto tank tops – perfect for summer. Both shirts are made from high-quality AS Colour material and printed right here in ’Straya, available in unisex adult sizes S to 5XL. You can browse all our merch, as well as order any SM back issues you may have missed, at shop.streetmachine.com.au.
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Formawerx 911 Homage Key - $400
These finely finished key blanks from Formawerx, for the classic 911, reference Porsche’s Group 6 prototypes with a range of colour options. formawerx.com
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Gift bundles for your favourite car from Hardtuned
A fan of the classic FD RX-7, or perhaps the drift icon AE86 Trueno? Hardtuned offers gift bundles themed around these cars and more. Gift packs are currently on special for $149.95 and contain themed hats, hoodies, lanyards, flags and other merchandise.
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Tech
Next Level Racing GT LITE Racing Cockpit
In order to get a little bit deeper into Gran Turismo on PlayStation 5 (if you can find one), or to immerse yourself into any of the other top racing games this racing cockpit from Next Level Racing adds that little extra layer that cannot be replicated with just a couch and controller - steering wheel and pedals sold separately.
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Navman Mivue 900 Dual Camera dashcam
Some might say dashcams are a little like most safety features – you don't think you need them until something happens, and then you're glad you had 'em.
Navman's Mivue 900 Dual Camera (DC) system includes, as its name suggests, two cameras – one facing forward and one to position at the rear of your vehicle, both recording in 1080p full HD at 30 frames per second. The front camera is also equipped with a Premium Starvis Ultra Low Light Sensor, designed for ideal recording in dark settings. navman.com.au
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Car cleaning gear
Showwheels wheel & aluminium cleaner
The wheel wizards at Showwheels have stepped into the car care world with a whole new range of cleaning products. Given the company’s roots creating killer custom spinners, it’s no surprise that one of the new products is Showwheels’ Car Care Wheels & Aluminium Cleaner, perfect for keeping your car’s wheels and metal surfaces looking mint.
Simply spray onto any metal trim or wheel, wipe with a microfibre cloth, buff it off with a second cloth and you’re done! It can be used as often as needed, and because Showwheels has formulated it for use on its own custom-made wheels, you know it’s a professional-standard product. A 500ml bottle costs just AU$22.95, and you can grab one now at showwheels.com.au.
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Car washing kits - from $79.95
The pride and joy needs proper care, and not just a lazy sail through the local Happy Wash. These professional car care kits from CarCareProducts can provide everything from proper towels and microfibre clothes to glass cleaners and tyre finishing gel, keeping the car in that perfect showroom condition.
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Bowden's Own Little Intro kit - $189.99
Continuing with car washing, Supercheap Auto offers this car care kit as an introduction to the world of car detailing. The kit includes a car wash bucket with a mesh barrier to prevent sponges from grabbing silt as you plunge in, wash solution, microfibre towels, and a glass cleaning mitt.
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Autoglym Fast Wonder Wash Kit - $59.99
Rounding out this car detailing section of the gift guide is the Autoglym Fash Wonder Wash kit, also available from Supercheap Auto. This kit is great for those with limited garage space or access to a hose.
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Tools
Milwaukee 3/8th socket set
Most car-mad folks will already have a 1/2in drive socket set in their shed, but not everyone has a quality 3/8th drive set - and boy, they can be handy in a tight spot or double as a small emergency tool kit when you’re out and about.
Milwaukee’s 12pc 3/8” Drive Ratchet Set delivers ultimate versatility and access. The slim-profile ratchet features a pivoting head that can be used as a ratchet, a nut driver, or any angle in between. Milwaukee’s proprietary sockets feature a parallel flat design for wrench compatibility and to deter rolling. Socket sizes are stamped into the flats for improved visibility. The kit is stored in a soft-sided carrying case that includes a socket rail to keep sockets and accessories organized, both on and off the jobsite.
Ryobi 18V inflator
The Ryobi digital pressure inflator is arguably one of our most used tools in the Carnage workshop, because it’s literally as big and light as a drill but can pump car tyres, bikes tyres and just about anything else. They are way more practical than a 12V compressor and once you’ve tried one, you’ll never go back.
Inflate tyres quickly and easily with a RYOBI 18V ONE+ Digital Pressure Inflator.
This pressure inflator’s 35mm digital gauge shows an accurate reading of the current pressure (both BAR and PSI), so you’ll know exactly when to stop inflating.
Ryobi hand vacuum
Just like the air compressor above, Ryobi have found a way to condense what’s normally a big, plug-in tool into a super simple and portable battery powered deal with this hand vacuum. It will make detailing the interior of dad’s car a joy.
The RYOBI 18V ONE+ Hand Vacuum is a lightweight yet powerful cleaning tool for the home, car or workshop. This kit also includes an 18V ONE+ 2.0Ah Lithium-Ion Battery and 18V ONE+ 1.5A Charger.
For the kids (big & small...)
Mclaren GT 12v ride-on car
Start the little ones young with the most stylish ride-on car around. Standard equipment includes dual motors, leather trim, MP3 player and LED lighting. littleriders.com.au
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Axial Wraith Spawn - approx $750
Fancy the idea of off-roading but don't relish the idea of expensive repairs, hard digging or inflation kits, then this rock crawler will take you off the beaten track for a fraction of the price. This heavy-duty RC was put through a 12-month test during COVID, and you can read the findings here.
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Felix Rotor Head plush toy - $10
Know that one Wankel head who spins up whenever they talk about rotaries? Now you can give them a cuddly companion to clutch while they warm up their classic FD RX-7. AtkinsRotary.com
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LEGO! 🚧
Optimus Prime
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"Now, all we need is a little energon, and a lot of luck."
Every '80s dad identifies with Optimus Prime, so you can't really go past this new model – and it actually transforms, without having to disassemble and reassemble. That is next-level stuff, and your dad or hubby is sure to lose his mind. (It even has an opening chest chamber with the Autobot Matrix of Leadership inside. Come on!)
1508 pieces, 18+ build rating. Can't go wrong.
- In truck mode, the model measures over 5.5 in. (15 cm) high, 10.5 in. (27 cm) long and 4.5 in. (12 cm) wide. In robot mode, the model stands over 13.5 in. (35 cm) tall
- 1508 pieces
Back to the Future Delorean – with three modes!
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"Wait a minute, Doc, are you telling me..."
We all love some nostalgia, so what better way to send your loved one back to the past with a bit of Back to the Future?
This 'Back to the Future Time Machine', which we guess they weren't allowed to namecheck as a DeLorean, comes with all the parts needed to spec it out in films I, II and III modes. That is properly rad.
1872 pieces, 18+ build rating. Get in. (Don't worry, the doors open.)
- The model measures over 4.5 in. (12 cm) high, 14 in. (35 cm) long and 7.5 in. (19 cm) wide
- 1350 pieces
Dom's Dodger Charger
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"I live my life a quarter-mile at a time."
The Fast & The Furious hit cinema screens (remember those?) in 2001, so it's actually possible your dad was just the type of young fella Universal Pictures was targeting with what would blow up into an insanely popular (and polarising) franchise.
Of course, along with Brian's orange Supra, Dom's Charger was without question one of the big stars of the film. So why not get one into Dad's hands?
- Measuring 15” (39cm) long, 6” (16cm) wide and 4” (11cm) high
- 1077 pieces
McLaren F1 race car
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Did you dream of being a racing driver? Come on, who didn't? Well, if you didn't get there, you can at least live your dreams at a smaller scale – although you'll be more of an engineer than a driver by the time you're done!
- Measures over 5 in. (13 cm) high, 25.5 in. (65 cm) long and 10.5 in. (27 cm) wide
- 1432 pieces
Going all out on the big spend... 💰
Arai Profile-V Jungle 2 helmet - $720
Add some colour to your track day pack with this eye-catching Arai motorcycle helmet. Comes with European standard ECE 22-05 certification. easyr.com.au
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GoPro Hero10 Black - $749
Did you really set a PB if you don’t publish the in-car footage on Facebook? GoPro’s latest action cam outputs 23MP photos and 5.3K video with patented HyperSmooth 4.0 video stabilisation. Cloud connectivity with waterproof (10-metres) construction, the Hero10 will handle almost anything you can throw at it.
It won’t survive being run over by a car, though. Ask us how we know... jbhifi.com.au
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RaceLogic Performance Box Touch - $1099
GPS-based data capture system tracks your vehicle’s speed, g-force and handling and can greatly aid on-track driver development. vboxaustralia.com.au
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Re-Engauge ‘Bochum’ Desk Clock - $1375
Polish startup repurposes vintage analogue automotive instruments into charming desk clocks with added wireless charging capability. shop.classicdriver.com
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Ford Eluminator electric crate engine from Eagle Auto Parts – $6750
Even though many still turn up their noses at the thought of EV-powered hot rods, the reality is that they’re coming. At SEMA last year, Ford debuted its Eluminator electric crate motor, shoved into a 1978 F100. After initially selling out Stateside, the Eluminator has now made its way onto our shores with the crew at Eagle Auto Parts in Melbourne.
Created by Ford Performance, the EV motor packs 281hp and 317ft-lb of torque, and weighs in at just 93kg. Those are just baseline figures though, as that Eluminator-powered F100 was quoted at 480hp and 634ft-lb, so with the right combo of batteries and EV jazz, these motors can be a pretty potent thing.
They’re in stock at Eagle right now for just AU$6750 a piece, which is a fraction of the price of plenty of internal combustion crate motors. If you’re not scared of the future and want to know more, give Eagle a call on (03) 8710 3000 or visit eagleautoparts.com.au.
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Omega Speedmaster 65th Anniversary - $123,750 😬
Broadarrow hands, the historic recently-revived Calibre 321, straight lugs, Dot-over-90 tachymeter bezel; this white 'Canopus' gold anniversary special ticks all of the Omega collecting boxes while flying well under the radar. omegawatches.com
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Pininfarina-designed iPhone case - from $15,000
Famous for being the design house behind Italian exotics, Pininfarina has teamed with Inkar to design something a little more modest, comparatively speaking - if you can call a $15,002 iPhone case "modest."
These cases for iPhone 13 Pro and iPhone 14 Pro are the result of a collaboration between Inkar and the famed Italian design house, with only 99 available for each model. Be quick, if you have that kind of money lying around.
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Vintage keychain - from $75
These are all sold out at the moment, but if you don't want to have your keys just hanging around with some pleather attachment or bottle opener, you can register to be notified for when these pieces of automotive history are back in stock.
Mr Cupps provides authentic vintage keychains from European brands such as BMW, Alfa Romeo and Bentley (with varying degrees of wear and tear), ready for you to give to that superfan you know.
Customised Vic plate keychain - $36
For those of you in the Education State, you can match your actual number plate with the one on your keys by ordering a custom keychain from Plate Game. Other state plates are available if you're not from The Place to Be, so there's no need to feel left out.
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Open wheeler drive at Eastern Creek - $299
Material things are nice and all, but it's experiences that stay with you forever. For $299 you can provide the gift that you'll hear about for years, with Adrenaline providing five laps at Eastern Creek raceway in a Formula Ford racecar.
All race gear and helmets are provided, and instruction is handled by real race car drivers, so the gift recipient is in good (and safe) hands.
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Happy shopping, and from all at Wheels Media, we wish you a Merry Christmas!
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