Many of the years have never previously been available on DVD, so this is the perfect opportunity to rediscover all of those thrilling moments of action, featuring stars such as Ayrton Senna, Alain Prost, Nigel Mansell, Michael Schumacher, Jean Alesi and many more.
Each Official Review has been digitised – often from the original master – and comes in a specially designed sleeve featuring stunning photography from the LAT archives.
The perfect gift for any fan of classic motorsport of the highest level.
Buy a Duke F1 DVD boxset here
Christopher Ward C8 Birkin’s Blower (£1995)
Think this ticker is expensive? It’s a darn sight cheaper than the fabled Bentley Blower that sold at auction in 2012 for £4.5m – and, coincidentally, it contains part of a piston from that very car.
Developed by Tim Birkin from a Bentley 4.5-litre, the legendary Blower was a 240bhp monster that set the track record at Brooklands in 1932, with a speed just shy of 138mph.
Pick up this limited-edition number from Christopher Ward and you can wear part of it on your wrist. Presumably if you buy all 90 you can build an entire piston. Maybe.
Buy a Christopher Ward C8 Birkin’s Blower here
Scalextric Gulf Racing set (£79.99)
The Gulf Racing livery is as evocative as they come – so 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 alternative track layouts – and if you want to make it more authentic, you could always add the standalone GT40 race car (£49.99).
Buy the Scalextric Gulf Racing set here
Gunson Twin Head Cleaning Brush (£3.48)
This is perfectly shaped – and ideally priced – if you're looking for a last-minute 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.
Buy the Gunson Twin Head Cleaning Brush here
Gunson brake adjusting wrench (£6.41)
Here’s another wallet-friendly option that will also slip easily into a stocking.
Adjusting your classic’s brakes just got easier thanks to this bespoke brake-adjusting tool from Gunson.
The £6.41 wrench’s slim design will fit most drum brakes. The 175mm-long tool is designed for both 1/4in and 5/16in square brake adjusters, and is made of hardened and tempered chrome-vanadium steel for strength and durability.
Buy the Gunson brake adjusting wrench here
McKlein calendars (€39.90)
McKlein, the German publisher and photo archive, has again produced a stunning pair of large-format calendars.
Measuring 67x48cm, each features 26 images, giving you options for every month. Rally fans will want to go for The Wider View 2020 while Motorsport Classic 2020 Calendar (pictured) covers F1, sports cars, GTs, saloon cars and more.
Buy a McKlein calendar here
PROMOTED: ColorBond Interior Refinishing Paint
A unique easy-to-apply aerosol paint for leather, vinyl and hard plastics. Restore your interior or completely change colour, it’s so easy to do! Excellent finish and durability.
Buy ColorBond Interior Refinishing Paint here
Dashboard desk clock (£115)
This stylish, twin-faced desk clock is inspired by 1930s sports-car dashboard instruments and would make an interesting Christmas present.
The two white and black dials allow dual time zones to be displayed, and the clock can either be stood on a desk or other surface, or mounted on the wall.
Made from aluminium and brass, the unit measures 25cm wide and is priced at £115.
Buy the dashboard desk clock here
A subscription to Classic & Sports Car magazine (from £29.99)
Give gift envy this Christmas with a subscription to Classic & Sports Car!
It’s a present that lasts all year, as the lucky recipient gets to enjoy 12 issues of their favourite classic car magazine.
And have it your way with a print subscription, a digital one, or a print-and-digital bundle subscription.
Subscribe here
Baghera Classic Green Pedal Car (£149.95)
Looking for the ideal gift for a car-mad kid? Try Mee Mee London and its extensive range of ride-on cars.
There are several styles available, from the pre-war Uilac single-seater (£91.95) to a 1950s-style Baghera speedster (£89.95) and the Baghera Classic vintage pedal car (pictured), plus trailers and a petrol pump.
Buy a Baghera Classic Green Pedal Car here
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 greetings cards to keyrings.
Buy a Curb T-shirt here
Classic car weathervanes
Well, this is something different – how about a motoring-themed weathervane?
Mechanical engineer William Twelvetrees, together with his father Roger, has crafted an impressive range of weathervanes starring much-loved classics including the Jaguar E-type, Land-Rover and Riley Imp – but any can be made to order, so the gift can feature your loved one’s own classic.
They’re made of marine-grade 316 stainless steel with a ½in centre post to ensure long life, no matter what Mother Nature throws at them. A typical vane, including directional arrow, measures 27in.
Of course, prices for bespoke commissions vary, depending on the complexity of the subject, but the range of existing products starts at £210 plus postage.
Buy a classic car weathervane here
PROMOTED: Welsh Enterprises’ Union Jack Car Cover
Show your pride in your Jaguar (or other British automobiles) with our new redesigned Union Jack indoor car cover*! Our car cover is made from a very soft, non-abrasive cotton material. Now available in three sizes: small, medium, and large, fitting a large range of Jaguar and British automobiles.
A great gift for the Jaguar or British automobile enthusiast in your life.
We ship worldwide. Gift cards available
Give us a call at 1 800 875 5247 (international call 001 740 282 8649) for more information and pricing. Be sure to ask about matching Union Jack steering wheel and mirror covers!
*Car cover is for indoor use ONLY and is not waterproof
Buy a Welsh Enterprises Union Jack Car Cover here
CTEK MXS 5.0 Fully Automatic Battery Charger (£69.48)
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.
Buy the CTEK MSX 5.0 Fully Automatic Battery Charger here
Suixtil Grand Prix Driving Gloves (£70)
For those who own a classic car, 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.
Buy a pair of Suixtil Grand Prix Driving Gloves here
Sealey LED3605RA 360° Rechargeable Inspection Lamp (£32.95)
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
Heel tread socks (from £9)
We said at the start of this list that socks weren’t an option when it comes to Christmas – well we lied!
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 Mustang or Mazda 787B (pictured)? You get the idea.
Buy Heel Tread socks here
Derek Bell: All My Porsche Races (£45)
Few racing drivers have such an affinity for their chosen marque as Derek Bell and Porsche, and the pairing has now become the subject of C&SC contributor Richard Heseltine’s latest book.
The prolific Heseltine charts the endurance ace’s association with Zuffenhausen, starting with the JW Automotive 917 in 1971 before a five-year gap and the famous Jägermeister-liveried 934.
The 935 years are followed by the arrival of Group C, victory at Daytona, plus his enduring love affair with – and continuing success at – the Circuit de la Sarthe.
Each page drips with high-quality period photographs, ranging from trackside images to candid snaps of the racer among his peers, illuminated by fascinating anecdotes and insights from the man himself.
Buy Derek Bell: All my Porsche Races here
PROMOTED: Double Car Blast experience with TrackDays
The perfect gift for lovers of vintage and classic cars, the Double Car Blast offers you the chance to drive two classic cars from a range that includes Jaguar E-type, Austin Healey 3000, the classic Aston Martin Vantage, Ford Mustang Fastback and classic Mini Cooper. Pick your two favourites and drive each for three miles at Heyford Park in Oxfordshire.
The approximately two-hour experience also includes a driver safety briefing and commemorative certificate on completion – and you can even pay extra for a high-speed passenger ride.
Buy a Double Car Blast experience with TrackDays here
Playforever wooden cars (from £21.45)
We’re not sure whether to recommend these as Christmas presents for children or adults – but either way, we’ve totally fallen for these models that somehow manage to be cute and cool at the same.
From designs inspired by racers from the 1920s and ’30s to the Maverick Thunderlane range oozing ’60s Americana, plus planes and motorbikes, there’s lots to choose from – including Rufus, a race-car driving dog!
Buy a Playforever wooden car here
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
Tub Time Grand Prix (£22.99)
Racing cars and deep water don’t typically go well together, but this lovely kids’ play set is never happier than when it’s in the bath.
You get 36 big foam pieces including a racetrack, pit stop, two squirting racing cars, a fire extinguisher squirter and a trophy, and all can either be stuck to tiles or splashed about with in the water. Ideal for young ’uns who want to pretend they’re Senna at Donington ’93 or Hamilton at Silverstone ’08.
Buy Tub Time Grand Prix here
Custom Velvet Cushions (£55)
Immortalise your very own classic 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 feather filling for £2.50.
Buy a Custom Velvet Cushion here
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.
Buy the Alcosense Lite 2 here
PROMOTED: Personalised leather dark tan wallet from The Carvolution® Company
This beautiful 100% leather dark tan wallet becomes naturally supple with age, enhancing the simple contemporary style.
Each dark tan wallet can be laser-engraved with your choice of car and message, and is supplied in a craft gift box, with the wallet wrapped in tissue paper – making it the perfect gift.
The wallets have eight card slots, one area for notes and two hidden coin pockets and measure 12cm x 10cm x 1.5cm.
Delivery within 3-5 days. £49.95 for UK delivery, more for international. Order right up until 20 December for Christmas delivery.
Buy a Personalised leather dark tan wallet from The Carvolution® Company here
Bellroy Key Cover Plus (£45)
It might be cool to own a stable of stunning classics, but you’ll look the fool if you stroll up to your Ferrari only to find you’ve brought your Porsche keys. Muppet.
Put paid to fob confusion with this handy holder from Bellroy: slim and stylish, it can carry up to eight keys on a secure toggle and snaps shut by the power of magnets.
Buy a Bellroy Key Cover Plus here
Mitchell and King Glacé concours spray (£18.99)
It might sound like an ice cream, but this is actually a luxury treatment for your beloved classic (or any other car you or a loved one would like to lavish some care on).
Glacé is a high-end detailer that aims to give a concours look with minimal effort. Best sprayed over wax, it’s easy to apply in parallel lines then buff with a microfibre towel. In our test, it left no hazing and produced a deep shine. It can also be sprayed on to a wet car to prevent water marks.
A 250ml bottle costs £18.99, but there are savings if you buy in bulk.
Buy Mitchell and King Glacé concours spray here
Pistoneeze oil (£8.99/£29.99)
Millers has launched Pistoneeze, a range of three new engine oils catering for younger classics.
The new moderate-detergent mineral oil is available in 15w40, 10w40 and 10w30 viscosities, covering a slew of 1970s, ’80s and ’90s cars. All have been designed to offer maximum protection to engines incorporating modern filtration systems, as well as featuring a zinc-based corrosion inhibitor.
Each is available in 1-litre and 5-litre cans, for (£8.99 and £29.99 respectively).
Buy Pistoneeze here
Ciao, Stirling (£20)
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 also a genuine peek behind the curtain, because this is the view from across the hallway of Sir Stirling’s office. Or through the partition wall, to be exact.
Valerie Pirie, ‘Viper’ to Moss and Moss alone, 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.
That makes for an account that is as affectionate as it is illuminating. Little is left out for posterity, or to spare Moss’ blushes, and stories and anecdotes stream through the hardback’s 320 pages.
The cover design is excellent, the style warm, readable and engaging, and the subject fascinating. As for the title… for the avoidance of doubt, it transpires that’s how he signs off his emails.
Buy Ciao, Stirling here
Kamasa screwdriver (£48.31)
Kamasa’s latest screwdriver should make short work of repetitive tasks thanks to its innovative gearbox – simply grip the ratchet, twist the handle and the head turns at four times the speed.
An impressive array of bits is included in the 22-piece set, ranging from five conventional Phillips and flathead pieces to Pozidriv, hex, star and spline versions.
There are two handy 10-bit holders, while the driver itself has both a left- and right-handed ratchet mechanism.
Buy this Kamasa screwdriver here
Customised gas pump (from £3000)
If you’re looking for a cool display cabinet to brighten up your garage or office, then Custom Gas Pumps has the answer.
The Hertfordshire-based firm is able to produce classic-style petrol pumps to order, tailoring them to individual requirements with custom globes, optional cabinet specification, unique design details and special colours.
Alright, so you’ll have to dig deep for this one, but it is a rather cool slice of classic Americana.
Buy a customised gas pump here
The Sound of Supercars (£12.99)
The acid test of The Sound of Supercars: a 10-month-old baby – though it’s aimed at three-years-plus. It did the trick, bringing smiles with every press of a button.
The board pages are hard-wearing, the buttons perhaps less so. There’s a variety of cars, from Morgan 3 Wheeler to Tesla, via Aston DB5 and modern sports and supercars.
The words might not sink in for a few years yet, but this is a great way to give the next generation of enthusiasts a nudge in the right direction
Buy The Sound of Supercars here
Clarke 6” Bench Buffer/Polisher (£77.99/£95.98)
Clarke has launched a new range of bench-top polishers and buffers. Two models are available, with wheel diameters of 150mm and 200mm, each featuring both stitched and open-style polishing mops.
The £77.99 entry-level unit is powered by a 250W motor, while its £95.98 bigger brother boasts 370W; both are capable of 2850rpm, and each has a heavy cast-iron base with rubber feet to reduce vibration, plus the option of being bolted down.
Buy the Clarke 6” Bench Buffer/Polisher here
Goodwood Road Racing Club Fellowship (£39)
This Christmas, give the gift of Goodwood Road Racing Club Fellowship. For just £39 you get a whole year’s worth of exclusive benefits, including access to the GRRC-only Members’ Meeting and exclusive live stream to watch at home.
Want more? You also get access to the catalogue of GRRC Original short films and documentaries, 25 years of Goodwood motorsport archives and exclusive Goodwood offers and competitions, to name just a few of the many privileges.
Missed the Christmas post? Simply download the gift certificate in your confirmation email to present to the recipient on Christmas Day.
Buy a Goodwood Road Racing Club Fellowship here
READ MORE
28 appreciating classics and what you should pay for them
Starter classics: 14 great cars for a first-timer
How to buy a classic car
Marc McLaren
Marc McLaren is Classic & Sports Car's Digital Development Editor
From mugs to rugs – and we think these are pretty ace for car-mad kiddies.
OK, 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 1 legend Juan Manuel Fangio in the ’50s and ’60s.
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.
UGears’ fantastic range of mechanical wooden models includes several early motor cars.
A symbol of humankind’s victory over slippery surfaces, the humble Land Rover has become the Hoover of off-roaders.
Nothing says motorsport quite like sipping hot coffee on a freezing Sunday morning, sitting on a damp hill overlooking a former airfield as you await the sound of roaring engines. But not until 10am, of course.
You’re never too old for Lego, right? We couldn’t agree more and the iconic 007 Aston Martin DB5 is the latest classic to inspire the Lego design team.
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.
