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Wondering what to get your auto-obsessed dad for Father's Day? Here's a selection of great gear, products, and experiences any car dad will appreciate.
Father's Day is nearly upon us. Dad's big day is June 19, and if you're unsure of what to get your auto-enthusiast dad for Father's Day, we've culled a fantastic selection of car- and driver-oriented Father's Day gifts to choose from.
From once-in-a-lifetime driving experiences like NASCAR ride-alongs and exotic-car drives to tech, swag, apparel, shop gear, whiskey glasses, and other stuff any car-loving dad will appreciate, the Gear Team has put together this awesome gift guide just for you. There are even some sweet Road & Track exclusives. So let's celebrate Dad with the official Road & Track Father's Day Gift Guide 2022.
This Father's Day, give the old man a front-row seat to all the action and fun the Hearst Autos team experiences all year long. In the Track Club, he'll get invited to our editorial track days, insider VIP entry to all the big automotive events of the year, office hours with the editors, and much more. Best of all, the price of membership is marked down to about half-price right now—just $475 per year. And there's a special Father's Day promo running through 6/20, as well—$50 off using the code RTDAD. It's the perfect Father's Day gift for car-loving dads.
Classic form meets the art of engineering. The P´8938 Aviator is inspired by the design of the Porsche engine block. With a milled titanium backing element, each frame is assembled by hand. Lightweight temples made from high-performance plastic emphasize the high-tech character of the front section and ensure maximum comfort. These Aviators also come in a classic hexagonal shape, the P´8937. Both are available in four different color combinations with polarized lenses.
If Dad's always struggling to move stuff around the garage to get to that one thing he needs (it's always way in the back), the Stinger from OTC Tools is the ideal garage accessory. It's a handy way to roll vehicles to and fro without all the backing out, pulling in, and jockeying for position. And of course, the jump-starting. It's particularly great for moving disabled or project cars. Remember, he'll need at least two of these—probably four.
Since 1777, Dents has been making classy leather gloves with purpose. Although it champions traditional glove-making, this pair is made from butter-soft black leather and has touchscreen-friendly fingertips. They even have those iconic perforations, plus elasticated trims for comfort. Talk about the perfect driving accessory gift.
Okay, it's not a car-related gift—but a Steak Flight for Father's Day seems just about perfect. Holy Grail partners only with small, independent, artisan farms and ranches to bring you the best in American Wagyu beef. The company's steak selection is vast, but this Steak Flight is undeniable. It includes a smokable Kurobuta boneless pork loin roast, two Tajima American Wagyu strip steaks, two Tajima American Wagyu ribeyes, and eight Tajima American Wagyu burger patties.
A great Father's Day gift for old-school dads who tend to avoid tech and gadgets, this discreet device combines Alexa voice command with Garmin GPS plus a dash cam, all in a package smaller than a deck of cards. It provides infotainment and directions right through the vehicle's audio system. And the 82-degree, 1080p dash cam has all the features of larger units, like incident recording and lane-deviation warnings. Playing cards not included.
Once-in-a-lifetime drives on the most iconic tracks and surfaces on earth. A sports car in the heat of the desert. A classic car on a legendary European road course. There's something for every petrol head in this gift box from Tinggly. With over 50 driving experiences to choose from, this is one of the best automotive gifts a dad could ever hope for on Father's Day.
The Apple Watch is amazing, but have you ever tried to dress one up? Kinda hard with a silicon watchband. With a brushed finish and a folding clasp, this stainless steel metal bracelet from Bullstrap brings elegance and class to Dad's smartwatch. It's available in widths from 38 to 44mm, and also comes in black.
Perfect for when he only needs a few clubs, stash this stealthy range golf bag in Dad's trunk and he'll be ready anytime the fairway or driving range calls. The Loma weighs less than two pounds and holds up to seven clubs. With a built-in stand and an insulated pouch for drinks, it's bound to be Dad's new go-to golf bag.
Lego's latest edition of the iconic DeLorean time machine is a challenge that'll easily take up a weekend of unwavering focus. Featuring mini-figures of Doc and Marty, along with a light-up flux capacitor, the vehicle can be assembled in any of the three variations from the trilogy. The Lego Back to the Future Time Machine is perfect for any fanboy-ing dad who enjoys a bit of nostalgia. We put this together ourselves; check out the build here.
A quality knife will last a lifetime, and there's no more quality a knife brand than Benchmade. The gray-and-black layered G10 is milled to provide excellent grip and style, while anodized aluminum barrel spacers bring an additional pop of color. The high-strength CPM-M4 blade is designed for hard use. Watch Dad's eyes light up when he pops this baby open on June 19.
This rustic 16-ounce enameled camp mug is perfect for sipping coffee on chilly mornings at the campsite or drinking a rye on the rocks during cozy evenings by the fire. Made of heavy-gauge steel with a rolled lip for comfort. Pro Tip: Track Club members receive up to 25% off all R&T swag.
Give Dad an R&T Camp Mug
With a telescopic handle, front-end steering, and rubber tires, this ice chest wagon is detailed just like an iconic T1 VW Bus. Secured with a heavy-duty lid-lock, the hinged roof opens to reveal a large, 27-quart insulated compartment for plenty of picnic essentials. Send Dad back to the Sixties with this incredible Father's Day gift. It's officially licensed by Volkswagen, too.
When the drive is done, Dad can crack open an ice-cold craft beer from any number of independent craft breweries from all 50 states. Each monthly Craft Beer Club box showcases two different breweries from two different regions in the U.S., with four different beer styles (two from each brewery) that change each month. He'll also get plenty of craft-y swag.
Whether he's watching the race trackside or out and about in inclement weather, this is the ideal outer layer for car dads to show some authentic F1 style while supporting their favorite race team. Team and sponsor branding on the chest, sleeves, and back show off the Red Bull spirit, and the water-resistant shell and full hood ensure he'll be well protected from the elements. If Red Bull isn't Dad's team, there are plenty of other gift and gear options at the F1 Store.
Combining gas-like power with the quiet and convenience of an electric, the XTREAM won't be strong enough for stripping your deck—but it's ideal for washing cars, trucks, boats, bikes, and more. The 13A motor packs up to 2200 psi to break down and strip away dirt, grease, and grime at up to 1.65 gallons per minute. The auto attachments and onboard foam cannon make car washing a breeze.
Now this is a handy gift idea—and it's far more affordable than you might think. It's perfect for road trips, car camping, or even just daily commuting. The Wagan plugs right into the car's 12v outlet. It warms up to 140 degrees and cools to 36 degrees Fahrenheit.
A good pair of walkie-talkies can be a lifesaver, especially if Dad plans on doing some off-grid adventuring. Cobra sent us a pair of these RX680 walkies to try, and we were impressed by the distance rating of up to 38 miles, waterproof construction, and built-in NOAA weather alerts. Whether he's out hunting or hiking, he'll appreciate these walkies to keep him in communication range.
What dad wouldn't appreciate a super-soft T-shirt with his favorite automotive magazine's name on it? This 100 percent cotton tee comes with an "Eat. Sleep. Drive. Repeat." graphic on the front and a subtle Road & Track logo on the sleeve. Great for sleeping, wrenching, and driving in, it comes in dark blue.
With an immersive learning experience from experts, Dad can learn filmmaking from Steven Spielberg, how to cook from Gordon Ramsay, chess from Garry Kasparov—even how to develop a winning mindset as taught by Lewis Hamilton. A membership entitles Dad to as many classes as he'd like, and various plans include family streaming and more.
There's a huge selection of vintage R&T magazines for sale on eBay, including a bunch from the Sixties through the Eighties. But none caught our eye as much as this collection of all 12 print issues of Road & Track from 1957. You'll give your car-loving dad the gift of memories and nostalgia with this set.
The F1 Store has a ton of team and driver logo caps, but none as classy as this white Mercedes Lewis Hamilton hat. Made of polyester with an adjustable back, it's fit for a day at the races or on the golf course. One size fits every car-loving dad's head.
With several types including Le Mans, Baja, and Detroit, Drive Coffee is the official coffee provider of Formula 1. It's sustainably farmed and resourced, with Fair Trade certification. Best of all it's damn delicious.
I've personally gifted this book to like-minded gearheads and enthusiasts no fewer than 10 times, and it always kills. Shop Class As Soulcraft was a national bestseller when it was first published in 2009, and its lessons and insights into the value of working with one's hands are at least as important today. Matthew B. Crawford questions the educational imperative of turning everyone into a “knowledge worker” while, in the process, discounting the value of real physical labor. Using his own experience as an electrician and mechanic, Crawford presents a wonderfully articulated call for self-reliance. (Also check out Crawford's latest book, Why We Drive: Toward a Philosophy of the Open Road.) Soulcraft is a true gem of a book—and the perfect Father's Day gift for car dads.
If Dad has always been fascinated by, but also perhaps intimidated by, drones, then this easy-to-use, lightweight quadcopter from industry leader DJI is the ideal gift. The Mavic Mini has 30 minutes of flying time, works with both iOS and Android, and weighs just half a pound. It still manages to capture aerial photos and smooth 2.7K HD video, thanks to a three-axis motorized gimbal. The app is a breeze to use, too.
Can't decide on a Father's Day gift? Don't want to spend a lot of money? Need something simple, quick, and easy? Here's the perfect solution for any car-loving dad. A standard set of 52 Car Enthusiast playing cards with two jokers, emblazoned with the front end of a Seventies muscle car. (It appears to be a Chevy Malibu. Kind of.)
Todd Snyder is one of the few men's designers who's as comfortable with hoodies as he is couture—and this gorgeous houndstooth car coat is no exception. The "car coat" was conceived as a long overcoat designed to keep motorists warm in early automobiles that were open to the elements. Over time, the term became synonymous with a shorter coat, one designed to sit mid-thigh. It's not cheap, but it's marked down to about half price right now. This is a Father's Day gift of distinction.
This is one of the finest magnetic phone mounts we've ever used. Dad can just toss his device up onto the Velox and it snaps into place in perfect alignment for up to 7.5 watts of wireless power. Note that the Velox is only compatible with MagSafe-capable phones; Dad's old phone may stick, but it won't charge.
We can't imagine a dad who wouldn't get a kick out of hanging these tin retro automotive signs in his garage or shop. Sure, they're kitschy. But they're also semi-realistic and undeniably cool. If you're looking for an inexpensive Father's Day gift for a car-loving dad, you can't go wrong here.
Dad's gotta smell nice, too, and this fragrance from Porsche Design is a great choice, whether he's a car fan or not. Described as "radiating definitive exclusivity and masculine purism," the Porsche Design Pure Eau de Toilette features notes of grapefruit, sage, and ozone chord. Our sample bottle looks sharp and dignified, and the scent gives an overall warm and slightly peppery fragrance.