The most wonderful time of the year!
Believe it or not, Christmas is just round the corner, and with 2020 not being what any of us planned, let’s make sure we celebrate the festive season in style – and we’re here to help.
We’ve done the legwork for you and found 60 super Christmas gifts for the classic car enthusiast in your life that we think you’ll love. There’s loads of variety and items at a range of prices, presented in no particular order.
From stocking fillers to under-the-tree prezzies, we’ve got you sorted so Christmas isn’t a last-minute stress – or maybe you’re looking for a little something to treat yourself or to drop some hints to a loved one!
All prices correct at date of publication
1. Classic car mugs (£12)
Before you say, “Not another mug!”, check these out – we think they’re pretty special.
Automotive artist Sheridon Davies has produced a series of mugs featuring his evocative road-car and motor-racing artworks.
Subjects available include various Bugattis – among them the iconic T57S Atlantic – plus the Maserati 250F, Aston Martins and Alfa Romeos.
Each mug is priced at £12, and Davies’ entire range also includes coasters and art prints, too.
2. Helmet pendant light (£199)
How’s this for a bright idea? Made to Last has begun transforming retro motorcycle helmets into brilliant pendant lights, perfect for your home office or garage.
Available in a variety of styles, each dimmable light is handmade at the firm’s Derbyshire studio and comes with an Edison-style LED filament bulb.
3. Race track rug (£14)
We think these are pretty ace for car-mad kiddies.
The multi-coloured ‘Formula 1’ design apes the Estoril layout, with pits and garage, and measures 80 x 120cm. With non-slip backing, the nylon weave is durable and washable. The rug offers hours of fun and is priced at just £14.
4. Mariclaro Three Speed Messenger Bag 905 D (C$139)
Old cars that can no longer be driven can still have a purpose, as Mariclaro’s range of wonderfully idiosyncratic bags proves.
All are hand-crafted from reclaimed materials from old cars – seat leather, belts and buckles and more – and as well as looking great, they’re also supremely practical, with accessory pockets, zippered compartments and adjustable straps.
This specific bag retails for $139 (Canadian dollars), but there’s a range of different styles and different prices, and if you're only after a smaller gift you should check out the range of wallets.
5. London Motor Show print (from £20)
Still plastering pictures of ’80s supercars across your walls? While the side strakes of a Testarossa might set your knees aquiver, they’re unlikely to go down well with those of a subtler disposition – or an aversion to angular bodywork.
Replace the posters of your teenage years with something understated: this throwback Motor Show print from the London Transport Museum offers ’30s charm, coachbuilt sophistication and fantastic font selection in equal measure – and you can always keep the Ferrari snaps in your cupboard for later reference.
6. PROMOTED | Full day classic car Cotswolds road trip (£299)
If you feel we’ve all spent too much time cooped up at home this year, give the gift of the open road from behind the wheel of a classic car – in fact, not one but five!
The recipient and one passenger can explore the beautiful Cotswolds over this 100-mile drive, whilst experiencing five classics, including E-types, MGs and Triumphs. In these fabulous cars, enjoy lovely scenery, sleepy villages and vibrant market towns on this luxurious Track Days driving experience. The routes and fuel are included to ensure that no matter where the road takes you, you’re guaranteed an unforgettable trip of a lifetime!
Buy Track Days’ Full day classic car Cotswolds road trip here
7. K&Y Fob (€50)
Porsche enthusiast and 356 owner Davide has been quietly producing his customised key fobs for a few years now, garnering a dedicated following from those in the know.
Made from genuine leather and available in a wide variety of colours, each fob is customisable with your own chosen phrase. A nod to the racing Porsches of years gone by, ‘La chiave va a sinistra’ or ‘key is on the left’ is our pick.
8. A subscription to Classic & Sports Car magazine
Of course, we had to mention this, but we’re sure you’ll forgive us – after all, this is the gift that keeps on giving because it’s a present that lasts all year.
Our Christmas gift subscriptions ensure the lucky recipient can enjoy 12 issues of Classic & Sports Car, and you can chose between a print subscription, a digital one, or a print-and-digital bundle.
What’s more, we’ve money-saving offers available right now.
9. Hurtle Auto Print Works (from £12.50)
If you turn to the ‘Our Classic’ pages of C&SC, you’ll see the fine work of James Leddy who creates the illustrations of the team’s classic cars – and a stylish artwork of your own pride and joy is surely a must for all proud owners.
All Leddy’s stock artworks can be modified to match your car, or you may want to commission a brand-new artwork as the perfect Christmas gift for a loved one, or to treat yourself.
You can also put several cars on one large print to create your unique history of all the cars you’ve owned. The options are endless.
10. Volvo 240 Sedan Minimal Christmas Sweater (from €32.99)
Fear not, it’s not all Volvos… Along with 242, 244 and 245 designs, there are Audi quattros, BMWs including an E30 convertible with tree sticking out, Mercedes W123 and 124 – all sorts.
They’re the perfect retort for all those ‘requests’ for the really-fun-to-join-in Christmas jumper days that are definitely not mandatory but really are.
And ideal for the big day itself, as you watch The Great Escape again.
11. Scalextric Gulf Racing set (£94.95)
We’re all big kids at heart, right? And the Gulf Racing livery is as evocative as they come.
This Scalextric set should bring back a few memories as you take on your kids in a recreation of the 1969 24 Hours of Le Mans (although given that the two included cars are a GT and an LMP, you might need to use your imagination).
You get more than 4.8m of track and can create four different track layouts – and if you want to make it more authentic, you could always add the standalone Ford GT40 race car twin pack (£85.99).
12. PROMOTED | Greycar cufflinks (£34.80)
Quality cufflinks that don’t cost an arm.
Greycar Ltd has launched a range of quality cufflinks. Beautifully enamelled and rhodium plated, these cufflinks have fine details, a reassuring weight and come in a smart black/silver presentation box. And all for £34.80 plus shipping – worldwide.
13. Ciao, Stirling (£15.29)
Given Sir Stirling Moss’ passing in April, this book’s title takes on a new poignancy.
It’s hard to believe there was a book about Stirling Moss that was still to be written – but Ciao, Stirling really is something special. It’s a genuine peek behind the curtain, because this is the view from across the hallway of Sir Stirling’s office – Valerie Pirie, ‘Viper’, had the unenviable job of keeping tabs on the jet-setting should-be World Champion when he was at his height, cheating death in Grands Prix the world over.
Their working life was brief – 1958 until ’65 – but their friendship endured far longer. And nobody quite knows Moss like Pirie. It is both affectionate and illuminating. Little is left out for posterity, or to spare Moss’ blushes, and stories and anecdotes stream through the hardback’s 320 pages.
As for the title… it transpires that’s how he signed off his emails.
14. Wriggly Monkey beer (from £11)
If like us, you’re looking forward to the prospect of raising a glass and bidding farewell to 2020, you might as well do it with a tasty tipple – and the award-winning, Bicester Heritage-based Wriggly Monkey brewery can help.
Choose between the Gullwing lager, Full Tilt amber ale, Super Sports very pale ale, Charabanc ruby ale and more.
15. Lego Aston Martin DB5 (£129.99)
You’re never too old for Lego, right? And while there are a great many classic cars available in brick form – Ferrari F40, Ford Mustang Fastback and more – we love this 007 Aston Martin DB5. And it helps make up for the fact that we’re still waiting for No Time to Die.
With more than 1200 pieces, the finished model is 13in long and features many of the famous gadgets of the James Bond Goldfinger movie legend.
Highlights include a working ejector seat, a pull-back gearstick to reveal machine guns in the wings, revolving registration plates, a bulletproof rear screen and extendable wheel-mounted tyre scythes.
And this has proved a popular set, so stocks are getting low – if you want it, don’t delay!
16. Lego Audi Sport quattro S1 (£17.99)
If the Bond Aston DB5 sounds a little rich for your budget, then how about playing Walter Röhrl on your kitchen table with this fantastic Sport quattro S1?
Few competition machines better suit being modelled in brickwork than the angular Audi, and at less than £20 it’s perfect for any rally fan.
The 500-piece set, part of the Lego Speed Champions series, even comes with a choice of wheels, a driver/mechanic and a set of spotlamps for those night-time stages…
17. Dinitrol rust treatment (from £700)
For a classic car owner, few gifts are as valuable as peace of mind.
Classic car preparation specialist Corotec can provide just that via its Dinitrol corrosion prevention and treatment service, giving classic owners the reassurance that their car is protected from the worst of the elements.
So if you’re feeling generous, this is one to consider.
18. Gunson Twin Head Cleaning Brush (£3.48)
Something rather more affordable is this perfectly shaped – and ideally priced – stocking filler.
Gunson has paired a Nylon-bristled brush, for cleaning dials and switches, with a three-pronged microfibre wand, useful for vents and louvred panels.
We found the brush did a fine job and the results were impressive – but the microfibre ends were too big for the style of vents on our classic. Still, for just £3.48 it’s a handy tool to have and cheap to replace.
19. CTEK MXS 5.0 Fully Automatic Battery Charger (£67.90)
Here’s something many classic car owners will need. CTEK’s MSX 5.0 battery charger is suited to lead-acid batteries from 1.2-110Ah and has automatic temperature compensation for effective charging even in chilly conditions.
It also runs diagnostics to assess the condition of the battery, and has an automatic desulphation programme plus a reconditioning function for rescuing fully discharged batteries.
Our test car had suffered long-term battery woes, but has been transformed – spinning over faster and apparently retaining charge more readily following a couple of months hooked up to the MSX 5.0.
20. Heel tread socks (from £8)
Yes, we know buying someone socks sounds like a cop-out, but these are a little different.
Heel Tread’s stylish range pays tribute to iconic classic cars such as the Audi quattro, Mercedes-Benz 300SL ‘Gullwing’, E30 BMW and Porsche RSR.
Or how about a Miura, a GTO or a Stratos, a McLaren F1, a DB5, an E-type or a Defender? Or maybe a Bullitt or Eleanor Mustang, Lotus 49, Ferrari F40, Peugeot 205 T16 or Mazda 787B (pictured)? You get the idea. Low socks are priced from £8, standard socks from £10.
21. PROMOTED | Personalised Speedometer Hip Flask (£30)
This 5oz stainless-steel hip flask features a personalised car speedometer on the front face – and the two mileage gauges can be customised with any number or date of your choosing.
The top line is four digits and the bottom is six digits. We put ‘0050’ at the top and the birth date below, but the choice is yours.
Presented in a satin-lined card gift box, it makes a great Christmas present.
22. Pininfarina 90 Anni (€90)
The world was hardly crying out for another book on Pininfarina, but this celebration of the firm’s 90th birthday is a joy. Across 500 pages it records 632 different models, from styling studies to racers and production models. The text, in Italian and English, is lightweight, but it’s unlikely to be a book that you read from cover-to-cover in one sitting.
Far better to dip in and get lost in the imagery, chosen by Pininfarina SpA president Paolo Pininfarina, with particular delights being cars you didn’t know before such as the Pininfarina VW Beetle, Zündapp 750 Coupé or Fiat Cinqucento pick-up.
23. Lucas cufflinks (£39)
We’re not usually fans of novelty cufflinks, but these are ideal if you like the idea of discreetly promoting the late lamented British car industry. Featuring the original Lucas crest of a proud lion, they are the sort of think that will only be spotted by a fellow fan of the ‘Prince of Darkness’.
Made from 925 Silver for Holden Vintage & Classic by HENRYKA, they would make an unusual gift for fans of British classics – and there’s currently 20% off the usual price of £49.17.
24. Custom Velvet Cushions (£55)
Immortalise your beloved classic car by having its image laser-engraved on a polyester velvet cushion. Simply send a suitable photograph via NV London Calcutta’s website and the firm will endeavour to complete your order within one working day.
Cushions are available in 12 colours and a personalised message can also be added. Each pillow costs £55, and it’s possible to upgrade to a feather filling for £2.50.
25. Alcosense Lite 2 (£44.99)
Been overdoing it a bit this festive season? Then this will come in handy.
An entry-level digital breathalyser, it analyses the amount of alcohol on your breath before telling you whether you are above or below the legal drink-drive limit – and by how much.
The firm claims accuracy of +/-0.2%BAC, but presents the information in increments of 0.1mg of alcohol per 100ml of blood – 0.8 being the limit in England. We’ve tested it – the things we do for this job, etc – and it worked exactly as expected.
26. Clarke CTJ1250AB 1.25 Tonne Aluminium Trolley Jack (£113.99)
Every workshop needs a trusty jack, and Clarke’s latest lightweight aluminium racing version is exactly that.
It’s designed to be used on lower classics and slides under chassis rails with ease. The lifting pad, meanwhile, is sheathed in rubber to prevent damage to the underside of your car.
The whole unit tips the scales at 11.65kg, which, combined with the useful handles on each side, makes lifting and moving it a breeze. It’s rated to 1.25 tonnes, enough for most small-to-medium classics, while the hard-wearing metal castors are positioned wide at each corner, making for a secure lifting platform.
Buy the Clarke CTJ1250AB 1.25 Tonne Aluminium Trolley Jack here
27. Sealey LED3605RA 360° Rechargeable Inspection Lamp (£30)
It helps to be able to see what you’re doing when working on your classic – making this limited-edition 360º lamp a great Christmas gift.
It uses a swivel/tilt system to enable the light to be pointed in any direction, while a rubberised magnetic base allows it to be fixed to any flat surface and a rotating hook means it can be also be hung up.
Eight bright LEDs offer 300 lumens of output and a 120º spread of light, in addition to a 1W LED directional torch. And as an extra bonus, the 2.2Ahr lithium-ion battery also powers a microUSB port for charging devices.
Buy the Sealey LED3605RA 360° Rechargeable Inspection Lamp here
28. PROMOTED | The Essence: from DB2 to DB6 (€380)
A decade of research has gone into this limited-edition book that’s ideal for Aston Martin enthusiasts this Christmas.
The 500 pages feature 135 different cars with 1400 exclusive photos, and are presented in two volumes, in a luxury box – it weighs a substantial 5kg!
29. Moto-Lita Mark Four (from £156)
Nothing smartens up a classic car’s interior like a new steering wheel, and British firm Moto-Lita has been making some of the best since the 1960s.
We’re particular fans of the classy three-spoked Mark Four, which is available in four sizes ranging from 12in to 15in and clad in a variety of materials including perforated leather, suede and Alcantara.
30. Curb T-shirts (from $29.99)
Curb produces an inspired range of T-shirts including ‘The Manual Gearbox Preservation Society’: designs include a TMGPS logo printed on the front and a large logo on the rear of a black T-shirt. Other options include a transaxle graphic with yellow type on grey or ‘black heather’.
T-shirts are priced at $29.99, hoodies $59, plus there’s a large range of automobilia, from travel coffee mugs to keyrings.
31. C&SC’s Greatest Hits special editions (from £10)
We’ve now published seven fantastic Greatest Hits publications, all of which are packed with C&SC content from the last decade on a given theme.
With around 200 glossy pages full of fabulous photos and absorbing stories, they look and feel as good as they are to read, making them coffee-table collectors’ items.
And there’s something for everyone, with one dedicated to American Classics, another to Jaguars, Porsches having their chance in the limelight, our Aston Martin special, one on the three-pointed stars of Mercedes-Benz and another on the prancing horses of Ferrari, and finally our Greatest Hits celebration of supercars.
32. Grippaz gloves (£8.95 for 50)
At around £10 for 50 (prices vary), the premium-quality Grippaz gloves are great value – and having used them, we think they’re also a great product.
The silicone- and latex-free nitrile gloves don’t tear easily, but the key for us is the grip offered by the ‘fish scale’ pattern.
Even when changing coolant, these gloves offered a good amount of traction and we weren’t constantly swapping for a new pair.
33. Toyota Celica T-shirt (£12)
Rally fans will love this simple yet effective design that honours the awesome Group A Toyota Celica and is the perfect wardrobe update this Christmas. What’s more, it is ethically made using 100% organic cotton.
Indeed, Final Tenth has a range of awesome rally-inspired T-shirts, as well as stickers, mugs, pencils and more, helping you tick a few presents and stocking fillers off your list in one go.
34. Motorsport face masks (£10)
What better says ‘Christmas 2020’ than unwrapping a face mask on 25 December? But at least with these you can celebrate motor-racing greats while keeping yourself and others safe.
The Martini, Quattro and BMW Motorsport E30-esque designs are reproduced on these reusable masks made from three layers of fabric, with double polyester covering the inner cotton. What’s more, the black elastic sides have a toggle adjustment for comfort, and they are machine washable.
35. PROMOTED | Your Daily Driver (from £195)
The personalised Daily Driver is a tribute to the traditional car adverts of a bygone era seen in papers and magazines – and now you can get your very own car history, or that of a loved one, illustrated in this charming style.
Your Daily Driver includes all the exact cars owned over the years, documented by hand with a simple black outline in pen, with your choice of colours. It’s totally customisable: you can add the make, model, colour, mileage, service history, a message and a price.
This A2, framed piece can feature between one and 20 vehicles of your choice.
36. Sealey SPB160W Power Pack (£203.94)
This is useful if you’re unlucky enough to have a garage without electricity, and is also ideal to keep in the boot of your classic. It offers a 230V AC output – a traditional three-pin plug – along with two 12V DC ports, plus standard USB, QC3.0 and Type-C.
It weighs 1.2kg, and the lithium-ion battery’s 31,200mAh capacity is mightier than most powerbanks, though it takes a while to recharge. It’s not cheap, but you can save nearly £40 in Sealey’s Christmas sale.
37. A Race with Love and Death: The Story of Richard Seaman (£20)
The combination of Richards Williams and Seaman was always going to have ‘Motoring Book of the Year’ nominee all over it. And so it proved.
The story is expertly told and crafted by Williams, with no need for hyperbole, and long overdue. And unlike many racing books, it is very well priced. Prior knowledge of Britain’s most overlooked racing greats is not required, nor an interest in motorsport as such. Highly recommended.
38. Suixtil Motor Racing Beanie (£65)
Granted, so £65 might seem steep for what is essentially a woolly hat, but this is no ordinary beanie: this a racing beanie, made by Suixtil – suppliers to the likes of Formula One legend Juan Manuel Fangio in the 1950s and ’60s.
Made from soft cashmere and lambswool, it has flaps to keep your ears warm and comes with those all-important driving goggles printed on the noggin – less effective than the real thing, but much easier to remember.
39. Sensorist (from €148)
Your old man might claim he can check the humidity in a garage using nothing but a tea towel and some bath salts, but the rusted chassis on his Mk1 Golf suggests otherwise.
For a more reliable solution, stick this sensor kit in your garage: it’ll take humidity readings and direct them via the bundled gateway to your smartphone or PC – so you’ll always know whether your leather is living its best life.
40. Diamondbrite Interior Cleaner (£4.95)
Seeing as it is 2020, it might well be a stay-at-home Christmas, and with time on their hands you can help your loved one bring their classic car’s interior back to best.
Just screw in the spray attachment provided, grab a cloth and you’re set. Tested on vinyl upholstery, it went on easily and did a fine job, with no unpleasant smell, lifting both older and more recent stains. And it’s more satisfying than watching that ‘festive favourite’ you’ve seen a million times and you never really liked the first time.
It comes as part of Diamondbrite’s Car Care Starter Pack (£27.50), or you can buy it individually at a very reasonable £4.95 for 500ml.
41. Le Mans Classic (from €28)
None of us went to the proper Le Mans circuit this year, not for the modern 24 Hours nor for the world’s greatest historic festival in July.
Thankfully the organisers of the Classic, Peter Auto, will put the show on from 1-4 July 2021 instead – a far better option than waiting out another year to keep in its biennial sync. Enjoy watching Group C cars, plus pre-war bruisers and everything in between on the eight-mile mix of race track and road. It’s going to be a long wait, but worth it.
You can even come with us on our Reader Run, and join us for a BBQ.
42. Tamiya Audi V8 Touring Car (£199.99)
If you can’t wait that long to go motor racing, how about this brand-new radio-controlled model assembly kit from Tamiya. A small-scale replica of the Audi V8 in which Frank Biela secured the 1991 DTM crown, it has a polycarbonate body, fantastic silver-rimmed, gold-spoked tyres and even four-wheel double-wishbone suspension.
It’s priced at £129.95 for the kit without radio, battery or charger, or £199.99 all in.
43. Clarke Tool Chest/Cabinet Combo (£191.98)
If you have a garage then you’ll either have one of these or want one – and so will your classic car-owning loved one.
Well priced at just under £200, it’s the best way to keep your tools organised, safe and secure, and probably the most practical use of space.
For some reason red is always best for tool cabinets and chests, and this particular set from Clarke has 13 drawers and a spacious cabinet underneath. And it’s on wheels, so you can take it to either end of the car with you.
44. Rear View Prints (from £18.99)
There’s something for everyone to hang on their wall – and at a range of prices – in Rear View Prints’ online shop.
From posters celebrating famous race tracks and racing drivers, to prints of road cars and classic film-star cars, you’re spoilt for choice, and the deceptively simple design is charming. The Group B tribute and GT40 vs 330P3 caught our eye, but whatever your loved one’s automotive tastes, there’s sure to be something he or she will want. You can even get their beloved classic immortalised in a print or on a T-shirt.
45. Bonnet art (from £650)
If conventional art isn’t going to hit the spot but you’re buying for someone with some walls to fill this Christmas, how about bonnet art?
Pick from six classic liveries – including Gulf, Jägermeister, Martini and Rothmans – and this design will be produced on a Porsche G-series bonnet in a professional, matt wrap, before a Porsche badge is added. At 1195mm wide and 1290mm high you’ll need a bit of space and with a lead time of two-three weeks, this can’t be a last-minute gift, but it is pretty cool. Bespoke items are available, too.
46. John Haynes: The man behind the manuals (£20)
You’ve probably given and received many Haynes manuals over the years at Christmas, but how about a biography on ‘The man behind the manuals’, following John Haynes’ passing last year?
It is an enjoyable and thoroughly engaging read, tracing Haynes’ life from childhood in what is now Sri Lanka through schools and the RAF via parties and, of course, a number of cars, the taking apart of which became his lifelong passion and today is his world-famous legacy.
47. Playforever Turbo (£27.80)
The latest addition to the super-cool Playforever toybox is the ‘Turbo’. Formula One in the ’80s was all about big wings, fat slick tyres and engines that belched flames as well as most of their mechanical innards on a regular basis, and this new range celebrates that in all its brightly coloured glory.
Although it’s officially a ‘toy’, this stylish design wouldn’t look out of place on your favourite shelf amongst all your other big boys’ toys.
48. Drive Coffee (from $18)
We’re big coffee drinkers at C&SC and these Drive Coffee packs from the USA swap the usual nondescript brown paper bag for racing-inspired oil can-style tins. The subjects are similarly focused and take the ‘cars and coffee’ mantra to a new level: Le Mans, Monaco, Imola, Jochen, Jim and Trophy.
Most important, packaging aside, is the coffee. Grinding and brewing at home can be a tricky business but the coffee’s operating window is pretty wide, and it’s good; light but strong.
For UK readers it will quickly add up – expect $40 all-in with the hefty shipping and taxes – but delivery is quick and the 12oz tins are bigger than most shop-bought bags. And it’s still cheaper than nipping to Costa or Starbucks.
49. Tailored silk face masks (£76.86)
With face masks now the norm for the foreseeable future, why not treat a loved one this festive season with The Outlierman’s motoring-themed luxury version.
Made in Como, Italy, these silk, multi-layer, non-medical masks feature removable single-use filters and double up as pocket squares when not in use.
They’re £76.86 for a set of three stylish designs.
50. Autoglym Anti-Bacterial Multi-Surface Sanitiser (£6.50)
Cleanliness has never been more important, and automotive firms are rightly responding to that need.
Autoglym has launched its new Anti-Bacterial Multi-Surface Sanitiser, a spray that claims to kill 99.99% of germs and is safe to use on all washable surfaces in a classic car.
The spray conforms to all relevant European standards, smells pleasant and is priced at £6.50 for 500ml – ideal for keeping a car germ-free inside and out, as well as being stocking-filler friendly.
51. Skära gloss-enhancing polish (£12)
Need a Christmas present for someone that loves a well-polished classic but lacks the time or patience?
This gloss polish is easy to use and quick from application to grit-free shine, it also cleans as it works – a boon for less meticulous car washers. Good bottle design means the clumsy among us can knock it over without spillage, and you don’t end up with too much splattered on your pad.
Best of all, you don’t have to reach for trim gel every time it thinks about touching any plastics. At £12 for 500ml it’s good value, and 100ml testers are available for a fiver.
52. Sparco Vintage Classic Race Suit (£479.94)
A dressing gown might keep you toasty warm this winter, but it’s not much use if you need to hop into your sports car at a moment’s notice.
Whether you’re nipping to the shops or competing on track, this retro race suit from Sparco is sure to sort you out. It’s FIA-approved, while a slot on the chest is ideal for storing your aviators – perfect for channelling your inner James Hunt, even if you’re just cycling to the Post Office.
53. Hot Wheels Team Transport ($12.99)
Period transporters have an enduring appeal, and Hot Wheels has picked up on this for this subset of its ‘Car Culture’ series.
Our favourites are the Japanese cars – this Datsun Fairlady Z or a Nissan Skyline HT 2000GT-R on a Sakura Sprinter, or a ’71 Datsun S10 on a Fleet Flyer – but others include Jaguar E-type Lightweight, Mercedes-Benz 300SL, Porsche 356 and Fords Mustang, Galaxie and Torino, all on suitable haulers.
At around £10 apiece, these 1:64-scale sets are perfect stocking-fillers that won’t break the bank.
54. Suixtil Grand Prix Driving Gloves (£75)
These Suixtil driving gloves make a fine addition to any driving ensemble: based on ’50s designs, they’re crafted from lamb’s leather and a knitted upper, with a seamless palm for ultimate comfort as one grips the wheel.
For those who don’t own a classic? They’re the perfect thing to wear while caressing other people’s cars at a concours event, before being politely asked to leave – sans gloves.
55. Porsche Classic Communication Management (€1439.89)
You don’t have to be a Porsche owner to appreciate its classic department’s period-looking radio upgrades – but you’ll want to be an owner to buy one.
The pricey units subtly bring modern tech including Android Auto to your classic Porsche, which also means you’ll not need any ugly phone holders on your windscreen. Nor will you have some bright and blinking LED screen making the place look untidy.
56. T-Lab Paddock Hill T-shirt (£27)
Still rocking that oil-stained top you bought at the British Grand Prix in ’72? We salute your devotion to sustainability but, in the interests of cleanliness, it might be time for an upgrade.
This T-shirt gives a subtle nod to the famous first corner at Brands Hatch, without screaming “all modern circuits are rubbish and I’ve drawn better layouts than Hermann Tilke on a napkin after five pints.”
A long-sleeved version is available for £32.
57. Mamod Brookland Tourer (£272.50)
Today’s throwaway culture can be quite demoralising, particularly when it comes to children’s toys. Has there ever been a better antidote than a Mamod steam engine?
This fully built steam-powered Brookland Tourer is a brilliant riff on the traction engines of yesteryear and is educational as well as brilliant fun. Your only problem will be remembering to let the kids and grandkids have a go!
58. Berlinetta Films
How about a film of your loved one and his or her beloved classic? If this sounds like the Christmas present you’ve been looking for you’re in luck – because Berlinetta Films has a 10% discount for C&SC readers!
Whether you’re looking for a studio shoot, something out on the road, coverage of an event or the documentation of a project, Josh Goode and Tony May have got you covered – and it’ll be something to look forward to in 2021.
Find out more about Berlinetta Films here – C&SC readers can get a 10% discount on all productions confirmed before 31 January 2021 with the code ‘C&SC10’
59. NOCO Boost XL GB50 (£149.95)
‘Small but mighty’ is the best description. Its compact dimensions make it easy to stick in your classic’s boot without you really knowing it’s there, other than to offer peace of mind, while its built-to-last feel hopefully means it will do just that. Reverse-polarity protection is a welcome safety feature, too.
Its 1500A output has proved more than enough to get any of C&SC’s classics back up and running – and it has been a real lifeline. The manufacturer even claims it’ll do up to 30 starts on a single charge, but we’d keep an eye on its level of charge.
When it finally needs more juice, this is done via USB – which also means it can be used to charge mobile phones, tablets and the like – and it comes in a neat bag. Plus it has an integrated LED torch.
60. Mullin Estate Wines (from £24)
Had enough of 2020? We know the feeling. So why not toast new beginnings with these automotive-inspired wines. Recognise the name? Of course you do: Peter Mullin is best known for his Art Deco classics.
The sole white is the 2018 Grechetto IGT (£24), dedicated to his 1938 ‘Star of India’ Delahaye 135M. It’s creamily smooth, with enough acidity to cut through the initial vanilla.
There are three reds, starting with the £26 2016 Rosso Umbria IGT tribute to the 1930 Bugatti Type 46 Cabriolet. Light yet spicy and full-flavoured, we thought it was as good as the full-bodied 2016 Syrah Umbria IGT (£50) inspired by the 1937 ‘Teardrop’ Talbot-Lago T150 CS. You’d expect the wine that wears the 1936 Bugatti Type 57SC Atlantic on its label to be the flagship, and the 2016 Sangiovese Umbria IGT (£55) is indeed special: a delicious blend of smokiness and fruit.
Cheers!