Making the list: AW's Holiday Gift Guide
Mon, 07 Dec 2009We're sure there's a gearhead or two on your shopping list for the holidays. Or maybe you just want to eliminate the uncertainty and give yourself a gift. Either way, we're happy to offer some inspiration on clothing, tools and cool things to get for your high-octane friends and family.
Automoblox
FOR THE HOME/GARAGE
Automoblox
These tough wooden toys with interchangeable parts will look good in any collection or a toy box. For kids of all ages.
www.automoblox.com
$36-$45
MRT 0.5 M-Pact Gloves
The M-Pact Gloves from Mechanix feature a honeycomb exoskeleton, a two-stage palm and overprinted fingertips for grip.
www.mechanix.com
$45
Grand Prix Champions Beer Glass Set
This is your classic half-liter beer glass, known as a Weizenbier. On each side is a list of GP champions from 1950 to 2008.
www.griotsgarage.com
$30
Robert Graham Collectors Shirts
The Robert Graham Collection is famous for its colorful patterns and contrasts at the cuffs, collars and hemlines. Car themes include Testarosa and Blue Coupe.
www.robertgraham.us
$268
Strattec BOLT
These padlocks can be programmed to work with almost any car key. Just use the key you always have with you for all of your household padlocks.
www.stratteclock.com
$25-$39
A Century of Automotive Style
This DVD features 100 years of automotive style. The detailed and searchable DVD also takes a look at the social and economic impacts of the automobile.
www.lammmorada.com
$25
Garage Storage Cabinets
These modularly designed cabinets can be reconfigured to organize any space in your home, not just the garage. Features two workbench spaces in five choices of finish. Free shipping during the holiday season!
www.garagestorecabinets.com
$1,499
Motor Enthusiast Wall Art
Owen Art Studios offers a large collection of motorsports art along with restored black-and-white vintage racing photos. Available framed or unframed.
www.owenartstudios.com
$49 and up
Stinger LED flashlight
TOOLS
4-in-1 Safety Stick
This handy tool can be used as a flashlight or, during accident situations, it can be used as a strobe light to warn other motorists, as a window-breaking hammer and as a seatbelt cutter.
www.safetybright.com
$19
Stinger LED Flashlight
These super-bright, rechargeable LED flashlights make an ideal gift for any mechanic, tow-truck driver or anyone who needs sight in low-light areas. Don't leave home without one.
www.streamlight.com
$209-$224
Sheffield Multi-Function Top Drawer Tool
Keep this multitool close for all household uses. It features a rubberized handle, a knife, screwdrivers and more.
www.griotsgarage.com
$20
Michelin Smart Jumper Cables
ACCESSORRIES
HitchSafe
The HitchSafe is a combination locked container that fits into the hitch area on your car or truck. Big enough for credit cards, it's the perfect place for your spare set of keys.
www.hitchsafe.com
$70
Dyson DC31 Handheld Vacuum
This handheld vacuum is ideal for hard-to-reach spaces such as door pockets and trunk corners. The DC31 features dual power modes for efficiency.
www.dyson.com
$220
Master Blaster Car Dryer
This high-powered blower heats and filters air to clean and dry your hot rod or motorcycle. The Blaster cuts drying times by 75 percent, and engines range from 4 hp to 8 hp.
www.metrovacworld.com
$180-$300
Michelin Smart Jumper Cables
Never be in danger again from improperly wired jumper cables. Michelin's Smart Cables have a built-in surge protector and automatic polarity adjustment.
www.michelinsmartcables.com
$40
TomTom XL 340S Live navigation unit.
ELECTRONICS/COMMUNICATION
Parrot Minikit Slim
The Parrot Slim Bluetooth is easy to program and easy to use. The voice-activated kit charges from a cigarette lighter or USB port.
www.parrot.com
$100
Scala Rider Q2 Multiset
These Bluetooth-enabled headsets are perfect for the biking pair. An enhanced bike-to-bike communication device, the Scala Rider is hands-free and easy to use.
www.cardosystems.com
$400
TomTom XL 340S Live
The TomTom XL takes portable navigation to the next level. Live traffic, local search powered by Google and a handful of other live features make this the nav system to buy.
www.tomtom.com
$300
Jawbone PRIME
The Jawbone PRIME earpiece allows you to be in touch safely and stylishly all day long. Colors include, Blah Blah Black, Yello!, Lilac You Mean It and more.
www.jawbone.com
$130
Pioneer In-Dash Navigation Receiver
The Pioneer AVIC-U310BT navigation unit features a CD player, Bluetooth capability and an iPod input in addition to the navigation features we all love.
www.pioneerelectronics.com
$600
BlueAnt Q1 Voice-Controlled Bluetooth Headset
The voice-controlled BlueAnt Headset uses Voice Isolation Technology, so whether you're at the races or driving with the top down, you'll be heard loud and clear.
www.myblueant.com
$130
EntouragePS
This portable GPS from Escort doesn't give you turn by turn directions but it will locate your vehicle, email you if it's moved, and text you if the window gets broken.
www.escortradar.com
$350
Tag Heuer Squadra Sunglasses
RACING/DRIVING GEAR
DC Shoes Pro Spec V2.0
The Pro Spec V2.0 from DC Shoes give you the comfort and feeling you need during spirited driving maneuvers. Rally aces Travis Pastrana and Ken Block wear 'em.
www.dcshoes.com
$100
Tag Heuer Squadra Sunglasses
Derived from the Italian word for team, the Squadra sunglasses use hypoallergenic materials, offer supreme hold and comfort, and come in many color combinations.
www.tagheuer.com
$350
Piloti Avus
Named for a postwar track in Berlin, the Avus features Piloti's Evolution bottom unit. Suede and mesh construction make them comfortable for all-day use.
www.piloti.com
$90
Stand 21 Vintage Racing Helmet
These vintage helmets from Stand 21 have all the safety of modern-day helmets with some historical style. Available in Martini Racing livery.
www.stand21.us
Daniel Coyle Photography
Gotham's Dream Car Tour
SEAT TIME
Gotham's Dream Car Tour
This five-hour road trip lets drivers experience six supercars at prices paupers--well, almost paupers--could afford. The open-road drive is less intense than a track school, but just as enjoyable.
www.gothamdreamcars.com
$595 and up
Arrive and Drive
This rental program from Speed Technologies lets trained amateurs take a drive in a real SuperLite truck prepped for race day. Participate in one race or a whole season.
www.superlitechampionship.com
$7,500-$52,500
Bob Bondurant School of High Performance Driving
The famous Bondurant School gives students a crash course on accident avoidance, skid control and proper cornering technique before letting you loose, with instructors, on Firebird International Raceway. Prices range from $250 for the Shifter Kart Experience to $5,850 for Advanced Road and Formula Car Racing.
www.bondurant.com
(800) 842-RACE
Skip Barber Racing School
The Skip Barber Racing School has been held for more than 30 years at various racetracks across the country. The school is taught by more than 200 professional instructors in a multitude of street and racecars. Prices range from $599 for the Intro to Racing (1 day) to $3,999 for the High Performance Racing School (3 day). Holiday discounts available up to 25 percent through Dec. 31.
www.skipbarber.com
(866) 932-1949
Jim Russell Racing Drivers School
The Jim Russell approach is a holistic one. The school teaches everything from nutrition to chassis set up to car control. Programs are available for novices and experts. Prices range from $1,995 for the GP Masters Program (1 day) to $5,495 for the Advanced School of Racing (3 day).
www.jimrussellusa.com
(800) 733-0345
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