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June 18, 2009

5 Great Gifts for Car Lovers

Need a Father's Day or graduation gift that gets the oil moving in a car buff's veins? Here are some items on our wish list.

• Whether your budget is large or small, these gifts will warm the car lover's heart. Behind the wheel

  Everyone who likes cars has dreamed of being a race car driver. Although it might be impractical to become a pro jock, you can at least feel like one. Consider a high-performance driving school*. From off-road rallying to NASCAR lap running, there's a choice for everyone at racingschools.com. For stock car enthusiasts, the Richard Petty Driving Experience offers drives and rides at more than 20 tracks nationwide. The most expensive of the auto gift ideas on our list, this one provides a lifetime of memories. Price: $395 (for go-kart racing school) to $4,000 or more (for a day of lessons and driving a Formula 1 car).

• At your fingertips

  If driving school isn't in your Father's Day gift budget, try the next best thing: EA's venerable line of NASCAR video games. In NASCAR 09 you can live the life of a pro driver, signing big contracts and racing against the top names. Although reviewers bicker over which year's version is better, you probably won't go wrong with any of them. NASCAR 09 is available at amazon.com* for $29.99.

• Washing wonder

  Here's a car lover's dream gadget: A bucket on wheels* with a system that keeps finish-scratching grit out of the water. There are several versions of this accessory. One is the Grit Guard line. Grit Guard offers buckets with or without wheels and in various sizes. Complete washing system is $69.95.

• Prime signs

  You spend plenty of time in your garage -- or in your driveway with the garage door open -- so spruce up the place with some vintage auto service station signs*. Choose from 59 designs, but don't miss the Oilzum Motor Oils and Lubricants sign from the 1920's: Oilzum – If Motors Could Speak we wouldn't need to advertise. The Cream of Pure Pennsylvania Oil. $99 each.

• Wake up call

  Know someone who'd like to greet the day with the sound of an 800-horsepower drag racer gunning its engine in the bedroom? If so, the Drag Racer Alarm Clock* is a great gift idea. Complete with staging lights and humidity and temperature gauges, this clock is a car lover's way to wake up. Price: $25 to $30.

• Cargo container

  Anyone who cares about his car takes supplies and accessories on the road. So how about a gift to help keep the trunk organized*? There's a great selection at www.cargogear.com, with prices ranging from $17 on up. Notice the just-right-sized Creekside Cargo Mini ($35), with room for wipes, cleaners, polish and buffing cloths – and more.