Pops deserves some sweet automotive gear, no matter the celebration. These gifts are fantastic options for Father's Day, birthdays, holidays, and so much more.
It’s that time of the year again—time to give back to your old man. While dads can be notoriously difficult to shop for, we’ve got some great gear he’s sure to love for Father’s Day, Christmas, Hanukkah, birthdays, Veterans Day—whatever the occasion, there’s a great gift for car dads below. Especially if he’s as auto-obsessed as we are.
From auto experiences and tools to gadgets, books, and more, there’s something for every car enthusiast dad on this list. Remember: Dad doesn’t really want a belt or a tie, so get him something he’ll actually use and enjoy. And, along with these gifts, make sure to include something money can’t buy: Spend some quality time with your dad, go for a nice drive, and share some laughs.
In the end, that’s what it’s all about.
Track Club by Road & Track
- Lasts all year
- Numerous tiers to join, wide variety of benefits to enjoy
A Track Club membership is a fantastic gift for any car-loving dad, and it gives back year-round. In addition to a subscription to the revamped Road & Track magazine, Dad will have access to exclusive events and special partner deals. With three different price points starting at just $75 a year, there’s plenty of options to spoil the man who made you a car lover.
Leatherman Wave Plus Multitool
Amazon
$110 AT AMAZON $110 AT WALMART
- Probably the best multi-tool on the market—certainly the most renowned
- Includes 18 tools to solve any problem and fix any issue
Chances are, your old man already has a Leatherman in his arsenal—heck, it’s probably in his pocket right now—but this is the latest upgrade to Leatherman’s most popular multi-tool.
Car Guys Make The Best Dads Tee
Amazon
$19 AT AMAZON
- Perfect for the garage
- Lightweight and breezy
Well, you can’t go wrong here. Even if you (or Dad) consider it a “gag gift,” this is a corny-but-cool distressed design that doesn’t cost a lot and sends the right message.
Tile Mate Bluetooth Tracker
- Slim, tiny, and indiscreet
- 4-pack
Does your old man lose stuff all the time? Snap one of these onto your elusive item of choice and it’ll never happen again. Great for keys, luggage, toolboxes, pets—anything that seems to go missing often.
LED Flashlight Glove
- 8 colors and styles
- One size fits all
These may look like something from Star Trek, but they’re actually pretty handy. Great for dads who work with their hands, the two LEDs shine from the thumb and pointer fingers. They’re a solid choice for dads who wrench, fish, or tinker on projects at night.
Yeti Rambler
- Trusted, well-known brand
- Quality product that should last for years
If your dad doesn’t have a Yeti yet, get him this one. The 20oz thermos keeps colds cold and hots hot. The lid utilizes magnets to contain spills, and it’s the ideal car accessory gift, because it fits into standard cupholders perfectly.
Casio Aviator Stainless Steel Chrono
Now 35% off
$55 AT AMAZON $58 AT JCPENNEY
- Affordable, yet looks classy
- Tons of information available on the face
We’ve liked Casio wristwear for a long time, and this Aviator chronograph is a great entry-level piece. It’s super-affordable, too. The face is a bit busy, but the orange hands help you see the important stuff. Various functions allow you to calculate percentages and convert miles per hour to kilometers per hour, which can be handy for car folk. If Dad loves watches, this is the chronograph to get him.
Riparo Genuine Leather Driving Gloves
- Genuine leather
- Six color options available
Leather driving gloves were originally designed more than a century ago to protect drivers from cold metal steering wheels or their splintery wooden counterparts. Nowadays, they’re more of an aesthetic accessory, but who cares? This cognac-colored pair from Riparo is a nice, affordable choice.
LED Magnetic Pickup Tool/Flashlight
Amazon
$17 AT AMAZON
- Also handy in the tacklebox and the RV
- Flexible neck for direct access
With both a magnet and light, this handy device may seem superfluous—but when Dad really needs it, it’s going to be his lifesaver, It makes seeing and snagging small nuts, bolts, washers, screws, and even keys easier than ever, especially if they fall in hard to reach places. It’s useful when working on the engine, repairing, fixing, plumbing, camping, hiking, fishing, boating, HVAC, or working in the house/ garage/ workshop
Custom Car Art from Etsy
Now 15% off
$33 AT ETSY
- Custom made for dad
- Highly rated Etsy seller
Memorialize your dad’s favorite car with a custom watercolor portrait from Etsy. Just send in a picture of that car and watch it come back as a great decoration for any wall.
GPS Drone with Camera
Now 35% off
$170 AT AMAZON
- Includes a GPS auto-return
- 4K camera
This entry-level drone is a great way to kickstart any tech-y dad’s next hobby. Featuring GPS auto-return and a 4K Ultra Clear 110-degree adjustable camera, the robotic whirly-bird fits neatly into a handy carrying case.
Retro Tin Signs
- Realistic garage tchotchke
- Fun and affordable
You can’t go wrong with some vintage auto signs; your dad’s man cave needs some classic decoration. This pack comes with five signs to choose from—or hang them all!
I’d Rather Be Watching Racing Socks
- Comfortable and affordable
- Grey color goes with most any trouser
These are great for dads who want to spice up their dress sock game and let the world know what they really want to be doing. If he puts his feet up at the in-laws’, you know it’s time to go.
Driving Loafers
Now 36% off
$95 AT AMAZON $150 AT ZAPPOS $150 AT MACY’S
- Renowned label, quality product
- 100% leather
These Cole Haan leather driving loafers are comfy, stylish, and functional. They’re a perfect pairing to your dad’s favorite jeans and work great for a trip to Dairy Queen in the garage princess.
Dustbuster Portable Vacuum
- Portable
- Reviewed as our Best Car Vacuum
This helpful car vacuum is easily portable—perfect for gathering up all of those Baconator crumbs. A great car gift for dad, especially since we tested it—and found it to be our favorite car vacuum.
Torque Wrench
Now 19% off
$171 AT AMAZON $199 AT HOME DEPOT $285 AT WALMART
- Flex head
- Nickel/chrome finish
No Dad, “tight enough” isn’t safe. This torque wrench boasts a range from 50-250 lb-ft of torque to make sure those important bolts and lug nuts are at the right tightness.
Bentley Intense Cologne
Now 15% off
$38 AT AMAZON
- C’mon, it’s got a Bentley badge on the bottle
- Long-lasting scent
This is one of Bentley’s top-selling men’s fragrances, and it’s clear why. The long-lasting scent features hints of African geranium, black pepper, and leather for an appropriately luxurious smell. Get your best suit; this cologne is best served with some class.
Engine Organic Gin
- 100% organic
- Awesome oil can styling
Spirits are always a good idea for dads, and this uniquely-packaged gin is a surefire win. The 100% organic, Italian gin comes in oil can-inspired containers, which add a hint of class on their own. Featuring notes of juniper, lemon, and sage, we get the feeling it won’t stay on the shelf very long.
Le Mans Drive Coffee
- Easy-drinking medium roast
- Just one of a number of auto-themed coffees available
If dad’s not into gin, this medium roast whole bean coffee also comes in an awesome retro can and embodies the gritty spirit of the Le Mans-winning GT40s. Perfect for those early Saturday mornings when dads thrive.
Porsche Aviator Sunglasses
Porsche Design
$670 AT PORSCHE-DESIGN.COM
- High quality premium shades
- Great for Porsche-loving dads
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. These Aviators also come in a classic hexagonal shape, the P´8937.
Bluetooth Media Button
- Compatible with iOS and Android
- 40-foot range
This little Bluetooth control button is perfect for dads who like to jam out to Dire Straits without picking up the phone. It comes with a steering wheel mount for easy clip-on access, allowing Dad to keep his hands on the wheel.
Whiskey Peaks Glasses
Huckberry
$65 AT HUCKBERRY
- Lead-free glass
- Lightweight and durable
This set of four topographically indented whiskey glasses is the perfect gift for dad all year round. It’s classy, interesting, fun—and, if your dad is like our dad, will get plenty of use. There’s even an International Mountains set with Kilimanjaro and Everest—and you can always buy Whiskey Peaks glasses and decanters a la carte direct from Huckberry.
Oil Udder
- Designed for all cars and standard SUVs (2.75″ diameter)
- Magnetic oil filter removal tool included
Strange name, yes, but it describes exactly what it is. This tool drains fluids from your car without making a mess by covering drain plugs, oil filters, and more. It then funnels the liquid down into a nozzle without getting your hands messy. If you’re looking for a garage gift for dad, look no further.
How To Build A Car
- An easy read—not too technical
- Great gift for any F1 fan
This autobiography is by Adrian Newey, arguably one of the most accomplished Formula 1 engineers in history. He designed cars for the likes of Damon Hill, Nigel Mansell, and Sebastian Vettel with one purpose in mind: to go like hell. The book is a great gift for any racing-obsessed dads.
Car Wheel Brush
Now 63% off
$10 AT AMAZON
- Won’t scratch paint
- No batteries required
There’s nothing more time consuming than cleaning wheels with countless nooks and crannies. This water-powered brush can make that a breeze, plus it features a soft head for sensitive surfaces and a rough head for cutting through some country mud.
Faster
Now 39% off
$17 AT AMAZON
This book is a fascinating odyssey about how a Jewish driver challenged 1930s Germany on the track. Featuring stunning Grand Prix cars, it’s a great story culminating in one of the most meaningful races of all time. The perfect gift for car-loving dads.
Pro-Lift C-2036D Grey 36″ Z-Creeper Seat
Amazon
Now 58% off
$49 AT AMAZON
- Easy convertible
- Weighs less than 20 pounds
Designed to be folded for use as a mechanics stool, or unfolded for use as a creeper. The padded bed gives Dad extra comfort where it counts. It features six swivel casters and a heavy-duty frame that supports up to 300 lbs.
3D Track Sculpture
- Authentic layouts, realistic design
- Available in black and tan
These 3D track sculptures show not just layouts, but elevation changes as well. You can hang them on a wall or lay them flat—they look good either way. We picked Road America as an example here, but there are tons of tracks to choose from.
Collin Morgan Collin Morgan is the Assistant Commerce Editor at Hearst Autos, where he presents the best gear for your automotive endeavors. Hearst Autos Gear Team The Hearst Autos Gear Team is dedicated to bringing you the very best in automotive tools, parts, and accessories, based on the expertise of the editors of Car and Driver, Road & Track, and Autoweek.
Keyword: 28 Gift Ideas for Car-Loving Dads, Perfect for Any Occasion