Father's Day Gift Guide 2022
For the Car-Dad. For the motor-father. For the gearhead pops.
Father's Day 2020 is on Sunday June 19th. This is your go-to list of gift ideas - if your father shares our love of all things automotive.
By Glenn Oyoung
Thu, May 19, 2022 08:09 PM PST
What do you get your gearhead Dad for Father's Day? Of course, you could always go the gift certificate route – Harbor Freight, O'Reilly, CVS (for Band-Aids from all that knuckle-bustin' wrenchin', of course) or, if you're looking for something more personal, here's our list of automotive gift ideas.
Father's Day 2022 - Gearhead Gift Guide
1. California Car Cover
Touting themselves as the "World's Softest Custom-Fit Car Covers TM Since 1989," these guys have been at the car cover game longer than most of my co-workers. I've used one of their custom-fit covers for many moons, and it's still working great.
2. California Car Duster
In keeping with the Golden State theme, if your pops doesn't already have one of these bad boys, you simply must procure one right away. It's so choice. (That's my best Ferris Bueller impersonation.) Another oldie but goodie, this is the duster that invented the category – funnily enough, in 1989 – what was up with that year? For years of scratch-free detailing, go with the wax-coated microfiber mop with a wooden handle.
3. HornBlaster Air Horn Kit
Is your dad the prankster type? If so, head over to HornBlaster and pick out a train horn system for his ride. The aptly named SHART 127 has a deep tone that will make the drivers surrounding your dad do a double-take, looking for a Union Pacific freight train.
4. C8 Aston Black Carbon Ratchet Belt
Corvette. Carbon Fiber. Belt. What more do I need to say? Every dad's gotta keep those pants level, why not do it in motorsports style with this ratcheting belt from Nexbelt. Yes, you read that right – ratcheting. Belt holes are for pedestrians. Proper gearheads don't have time for that mess.
5. "The Dealer"
Authored by Ferrari enthusiast Jim Ciardella, this book recounts how a couple of 30-year-olds built the largest Ferrari dealership in America in the '70s from a tiny lot in a small town. Ferrari of Los Gatos catered to movie stars, athletes, and other well-to-do early adopters of the prancing horse stateside. If dad is tifosi, he needs this book.
6. Gulf "Racing Suit" Cycling Jersey
This cycling jersey by SUPERSTRADA Designs is inspired by the vintage Gulf racing suits of the '70s made famous to the whole world in Steve McQueen’s epic love letter to sportscar racing, Le Mans.
Fun fact: Chad McQueen is a certifiable gearhead and rocks these jerseys on his rides. Head over to SUPERSTRADA and check out the blue Gulf jersey as well. Dad’s gonna impress his cycling group with your help.
7. Radford Racing School
The resurrected Radford Motors coachbuilders have taken over top billing at the former Bondurant school in Arizona. The sponsor logos are not the only change. In addition to the bevy of Dodge SRT vehicles and the fleet of Formula 4 racecars, the tie-up with Radford has brought the Lotus Driving Experience. Dad can jump from into an Evora GT and experience what it’s like to add lightness.
Thanks to the awesome instructors (shout out to chief instructor Danny Bullock), challenging track, and sweet cars, this school is my personal Disneyland. It just became a heck of a lot cooler between the F4, the Lotuses, and the chance to run into F1 legend and Radford co-founder Jenson Button. Dad’s going to love it.
8. Hot Wheels Redline Club
Every gearhead I know started loving cars at 1:64 scale, thanks to the gateway car of choice – Hot Wheels. Unfortunately, some of us (ok, most of us) never grow out of that phase. If your dad is in the same boat, er car, then consider getting him a digital membership in the Hot Wheels Redline Club (RLC for those in the know).
RLC members get access to buy special edition Hot Wheels like this sweet Hakosuka that comes with this year’s membership. These are not available on the shelves of your local retailer, and if you miss out, you’ll find them on sale on the web for six or seven times the cost. Dad’s going to be impressed by your investing acumen!
9. 60 Years of Bond Edition Moke
If you’re feeling really spendy, this is the Moke to have for dads that are into the Spy Who Loved Me. The Moke is an electrified street-legal low-speed vehicle with a top speed of 30mph. This special edition celebrates the 60th Anniversary of 007 with special badging, “mango tree” woodwork, and a tan “bimini” top. The colorway is fantastic. The Midnight Blue color, mango wood, and tan top pair perfectly like gin, vermouth, and olives – shaken, not stirred, of course.
10. Titan7 Forged Wheels
What do you get the dad who has everything? If he’s a man of discerning taste, how about a set of forged wheels by Titan7? Founded by legendary wheel executive and all-around great guy Eddie Lee and partners, Titan7 knows forging. They apply an industry-leading 10,000 pounds of pressure to fully forge their wheels. And you thought a calendar full of Teams-meetings was pressure.
If you love the Volk TE37 (and who doesn’t), you’ll fall in love with Titan7’s T-D6 Launch Edition Forged 6-spoke. Pay close attention to the details like the machining that goes from the hub to the spoke to the rim, and gaze in marvel at your dad’s next favorite wheel.
With so many options, don't get him a tie.
Featured image by Edward Howell.
Photo of daughter and father watching cars go by: Federico Enni
Photo of tio collection with balloons: Tim Mossholder
About The Author
Glenn Oyoung is a marketer based in Los Angeles. Glennās lifelong passion for cars is rooted in playing with Hot Wheels, and has continued into 1:1 scale. Heās the former marketing director of American Racing, author of āvehicular alphabet booksā āC is for Carā and "P is for Petersen" in collaboration with the Petersen Automotive Museum. His passion for cars extends to his role as the founder of the monthly car meet Carcadia at Route 66, the most diverse car meet in the San Gabriel Valley.
