Final-Minute Items for the Automotive Fanatic Dad

Any fan of racing or video games in general will love this game. Also available for PC, Playstation 5, and in many more configurations, F1 ’23 is one of the best driving sim games on the market.

buy it for PlayStation

Your favorite car lover will be able to recreate the features of the Ferrari Daytona SP3 in classic red with chrome-painted rims. Features include steering, an 8-speed sequential gearbox with paddle shifter, a V-12 engine with moving pistons, and opening butterfly doors. This 1:8 scale model will make a fantastic display piece for any auto enthusiast’s office or workspace.

Show them you care with this awesome emergency kit. It includes everything they need to stay safe and secure until help arrives.

Every car owner would appreciate this easy, inexpensive, and thoughtful gift. You could spend a lot more on a detailing kit, but this handy collection has everything they’ll need. It includes original Armor All Cleaner and Protectant, plus Ultra Shine Wash & Wax, Tire Foam Protectant, and a can of 25 handy Glass Wipes. And you know you can trust the brand name. If you’re in a bind thinking of a last-minute gift, look no further.

When it comes to tech and gadgets, you tend to get what you pay for, and proven brands always cost a bit more than knock-offs. Next Base introduced its first dash cam in 2012—an eternity in tech years. We’ve used this particular setup ourselves and have to say, installation and use are easy and intuitive. The 322GW kit offers 1080p front and 720p rear recording, and a magnificent 2.5-inch high-res touchscreen. Best of all, it overwrites its oldest files so it’s always recording, even if your SD card gets full.

Most of Chemical Guys’ car wash kits are marked down for the holidays, and there’s no doubt they’ll arrive on time. This kit not only has everything they need to keep the exterior of the car looking great, but it also has the tools to make cleaning your car fast, easy and fun for the entire family.

visit the chemical guys store at Amazon

Perfect for the leadfoot on your list, the R3 from Uniden is one of the most popular radar detectors among enthusiasts because of its power and reliability. The Extreme Long-Range detection senses both laser and radar. It uses GPS to monitor red-light and speed cameras, and lets you mark fixed false alerts you might pass daily, like automatic door openers on storefronts. In addition, 360-degree protection and voice alerts keep it hands-free and easy to use.

Any fan of Jerry Seinfeld’s popular Netflix show will love getting this gift. It’s full of behind-the-scenes shenanigans and up-close views of the cars and comedians that made it must-see TV.

One of the smallest and easiest-to-use dash cams you can buy, Garmin’s Mini 57 makes the perfect last-minute gift. The trustworthy brand name makes it ideal for those who want a dash cam but aren’t sure what kind.

This rugged seat-back organizer from Carhartt offers plenty of room for tools, laptops, and more. It’s even got MOLLE straps for hanging extra gear and a hook for attaching your favorite cap or hat. It affixes to any seat back on any vehicle. Made of sturdy nylon duck canvas, it comes in basic black or classic Carhartt tan.

These interior LED light strips are super popular, and this set is controlled via an app that allows your favorite enthusiast to easily change colors, brightness, and effects. Four flexible strips on two lines are ideal for accenting any interior cabin; it connects via the cigarette lighter outlet. One mode is for “music sensitivity,” so if your favorite driver likes the cars that go “boom!” this tasty gift is sure to please.

Free up space in the cabin by placing luggage on the roof—and protect it with this 100 percent waterproof cargo bag. It’s made of heavy-duty, military-grade tarpaulin and features waterproof zippers and seals, plus a carrying bag and TSA-approved locks. Thanks to the multipurpose strap system, it works with or without roof racks on any hardtop car or SUV, providing 15 cubic feet of extra storage. Any road trip fans on your gifting list? This is a great deal.

Here’s a handy gift any garage mechanic or DIYer will appreciate. With a segmented storage tray for small parts and tools, quality 360-degree swivel casters, and a padded seat, the Torin is perfect for wrenching, detailing, or just chilling with a cold one and admiring your handiwork. It’s got a pneumatic pedestal that adjusts 4 1/2 inches up or down, and it supports up to 250 pounds.

Now that they’ve got a killer set of tools, your favorite DIY mechanic needs this OBD II scanner to quickly and easily diagnose problems and issues with any 1996-or-newer vehicle. It plugs right in under any dash, providing a complete repair report with thousands of fixes verified by ASE Certified Technicians. Your giftee will save a ton of money on repair bills by eliminating the need for diagnostic check-ups and estimates.

Spruce up any car interior with this universal set of seat covers. It fits any four-door sedan, SUV, or pickup truck. We chose the gray leatherette covers here, but there are dozens of colors and styles to choose from to suit any taste or vehicle paint scheme. If your favorite enthusiast’s seats are beat, you can’t go wrong here.

You really can’t go wrong here, as the trusty Dustbuster was named Best Overall Car Vacuum in our most recent head-to-head car vac shootout. It works as well as any auto-specific vacuum and is a marvel around the house, too.

Best Car Vacuums, Tested

Handy enough to be thoughtful yet affordable enough to give to co-workers, neighbors, and casual friends, this is one of the most popular windshield shades on Amazon.

Not that we’d wrap our Porsche, but we can think of a ton of rides that would benefit from some fresh skin. And menacing matte black is all the rage these days. The 3.9-mm thick vinyl wrap comes in a 50-foot-by-5-foot roll for a complete kit big enough to cover most cars. It’s great for fleets, kit cars, and motorsports, too. Designed for DIY installation, it uses a solvent-based, repositionable, permanent adhesive that won’t damage paint. The finish should last up to seven years.