68 great gift ideas for classic car fans

It’s that time of year again!

In what seems like the blink of an eye, Christmas is here once more – and with it, the mad scramble to buy the perfect presents. It can be a hectic time, but fear not, because if you’re struggling to know what to buy for the classic car lover in your life, Classic & Sports Car’s Christmas gift guide 2021 has plenty of suggestions.

There are items here for every age and price range, and they cover everything from brushes and mugs to books and models, meaning gift inspiration for classic car enthusiasts could be just a few clicks away.

Whether you’re looking for a simple stocking filler or something a little more extravagant, we have you covered – so what are you waiting for? Dive in...

1. Playmobil James Bond Aston Martin DB5 (£69.99)

It was great to see James Bond back on the big screen in No Time to Die, and now you can recreate one of 007’s most famous adventures in the comfort of your own home with this new DB5 model from Playmobil.

It is, of course, a Goldfinger Edition, and the film is commemorated not only with the car, but also with four accompanying figurines – Bond himself, Auric Goldfinger, Oddjob, and another anonymous henchman.

Within the car, you’ll find a raft of hidden gadgets, including the famous ejector seat, so you can launch your passenger through the roof by pressing the tailpipes.

There are also rotating numberplates front and rear – ideal for wherever in the world Bond’s latest mission may take him – as well as concealed machine guns, a bulletproof shield and tyre slashers.

All this can be yours for £69.99 – still significantly less than a real one…

Buy a Playmobil Aston Martin DB5 here

2. Gunson Twin Head Cleaning Brush (£3.62)

And now for something completely different – but something that will be invaluable if you’re looking to clear that pesky dust and dirt from all of your classic car’s tighter spots.

This brush actually gives you two tools in one, as you not only get a Nylon brush on one end, but a three-pronged microfibre wand on the other, too.

You might find that the bristles fit into some vents and spaces better than others, but nevertheless, this is a cheap and cheerful tool to have until the time comes for a new one. A perfect stocking filler.

Buy a Gunson Twin Head Cleaning Brush here

3. Wriggly Monkey beer (from £11)

Lots of us enjoy a tipple at Christmas, and thanks to Bicester Heritage’s Wriggly Monkey brewery, you can bring an array of motoring-themed beers to those moments of festive relaxation.

Varieties currently available include Gullwing lager, Full Tilt amber ale, Super Sports very pale ale, Charabanc ruby ale and more.

Buy Wriggly Monkey beer here

4. Lego Ford Mustang GT (£119.99)

A cool Ford Mustang GT fastback has joined Lego’s automotive kit range, with 1470 pieces and packed with detail.

It includes a miniature engine, moving interior parts and an opening boot. Not only that, the model has a custom build option with supercharger, spoiler and nitrous oxide bottle in the boot. It costs £119.99.

Buy a Lego Ford Mustang GT here

5. Lens and screen cloths (£5 each)

A colourful range of lens/computer-screen cloths is now available from MeandMyCar.

Measuring 15 x 17.5cm, the evocative Art Deco-style designs by artist Stephen Millership feature the Napier-Railton Brooklands giant, the 251mph Bluebird and a Goodwood theme including a pre-war racing car.

Buy MeandMyCar cloths here

6. A subscription to Classic & Sports Car magazine

OK, so maybe we have a slight ulterior motive including this one – but a subscription to Classic & Sports Car is, quite literally, a gift that keeps on giving (for 12 months, at least).

By buying one of our Christmas gift subscriptions, you’ll bestow a whole year’s worth of issues on a loved one, and you can choose to receive them in whatever format suits you best – be it print, digital or both, thanks to our print-and-digital bundle.

If all that wasn’t tempting enough, there are also money-saving offers available right now.

Subscribe to Classic & Sports Car here

7. Hurtle Auto Print Works (from £12.50)

The ‘Our Classic’ section of C&SC proudly displays the work of James Leddy – and now you can buy a similar image of your very own car or that of a loved one this Christmas.

Leddy’s existing stock artworks can be modified to suit the car in question, or you can commission a bespoke work.

You don’t need to stop at one car, either – multiple models can be placed on one large print, so you can create a unique, personalised visual timeline of your loved one’s car history.

Buy Hurtle Auto Print Works here

8. PROMOTED | Racing Number Leather Wallet (£30)

Inspired by the liveries of Gulf, Martini and Team Lotus, these leather wallets are a great Christmas gift for the motorsport fan.

Practical as well as stylish, the inside of the wallet is black, with five credit card slots and a small coin section fastened with a zip.

It also has a note section and two slip pockets, and comes complete with RFID protection.

Buy a Racing Number Leather Wallet here

9. Monaco Grand Prix shorts (£225)

These shorts from Orlebar Brown are guaranteed to turn heads at the Pebble Beach concours, or on your next sunkissed holiday.

The men’s mid-length swim design boldly features Thomas McAvoy’s dramatic start photo from the 1956 Monaco Grand Prix, with Fangio, victor Moss and Castellotti roaring away from the line. They cost £225.

Buy Monaco Grand Prix shorts here

10. Drive Coffee (from $18)

Earlier we looked at beer, but what if you’re hunting for Christmas gifts for a coffee lover? We’ve got you covered…

As you can see, these aren’t exactly your usual brown paper bags, the packaging instead embracing more high-octane influences.

These are reflected not only in the oil-can-style tins, but also in the names themselves: you have Le Mans, Monaco, Imola, Jochen, Jim and Trophy to choose from, among others.

The coffee itself requires grinding and brewing at home, and this might not be the easiest process, but it’s worth it for the end product’s light but strong taste.

If you’re buying from the UK, you can expect to pay $40 when shipping and taxes are factored in, but you should have your delivery pretty swiftly – and you’ll find that the tins, at 12oz, are bigger than most paper bags you’ll buy.

Buy Drive Coffee here

11. Toyota Celica T-shirt (£12)

Show your appreciation for a golden era of rallying with this simple but vibrant design, featuring the Group A Toyota Celica.

It’s made using 100% organic cotton by Final Tenth, which offers a wider range of other rally memorabilia on its website beyond T-shirts, including stationery, mugs, stickers and more.

Why not take a look and see what else is on offer?

Buy a Toyota Celica T-shirt here

12. Autoglym Anti-Bacterial Multi-Surface Sanitiser (£6.50)

We’ve all seen a lot of sanitiser over the past two years, but cleanliness is still as important to our cars as it is to us, and Autoglym’s Anti-Bacterial Multi-Surface Sanitiser is certainly very effective – and at £6.50 this could make a neat stocking filler.

It takes the form of a spray that kills 99.9% of bacteria, and can be used on all washable surfaces in a classic car, while conforming to all relevant European standards.

Buy Autoglym Anti-Bacterial Multi-Surface Sanitiser here

13. PROMOTED | Duke Video Formula One Collection (£399)

50 years of Formula One, in one great collection. Streaming might be the future, but there’s something reassuring about having a library of DVDs on your shelf, ‘just in case’.

In their handsome decade boxes, these F1 reviews make a very attractive set, and once they’re on the shelf the temptation to start working through the seasons one by one will be overwhelming.

You won’t be disappointed – from Rindt to Hamilton, the F1 collection charts all of the ups and downs of 50 spectacular years, including 2020.

Buy the Duke Video Formula One Collection here

14. Laser 9-in-1 Stainless Steel Multi-Tool (£60.48)

Who doesn’t like a quality multi-tool to help with those random jobs that crop up on your classic car?

This offering from Laser has a removable LED torch built into the handle, which is useful for those hard-to-reach nooks. It has a reassuring heft to it – as does the £60.48 price.

It features most of the common tools you’re likely to need, from pliers, wire-cutter, knife and saw to magnetic bit-driver and rope-cutter. Our only wish would be for a rubberised finish to the stainless steel handles, which can get slippery on warmer days, but it’s a minor niggle.

Buy a Laser 9-in-1 Stainless Steel Multi-Tool here

15. Lego Audi Sport quattro S1 (£17.99)

If your budget won’t quite stretch to the Playmobil Aston Martin that opened our gift guide, perhaps you’d like to help a loved one relive the fire-spitting Group B rally era instead this Christmas, with one of the most iconic cars.

Despite its fairly modest price, the Audi has plenty of pieces to keep you busy – 500, to be exact – and its attention to detail extends far beyond its stickers, thanks to its driver/mechanic, choice of wheels, and spotlamps to illuminate those gloomier stretches of road (or living-room carpet!).

Buy a Lego Audi Sport quattro S1 here

16. Sparco Vintage Classic Race Suit (€610)

Get set for your 2022 season with this classic suit from Sparco. It’s FIA-approved, so you’ll be all set to race.

What’s more, you’ll look the part – put this on, and you’ll fit right into the 1970s. There’s even a slot on the chest which would be perfect for your aviators, not that you’re likely to need them at this time of year…

Buy a Sparco Vintage Classic Race Suit here

17. C&SC’s Greatest Hits Special Editions (from £10)

C&SC’s multiple Greatest Hits are rammed full of our best content from the past 10 years on a given theme – and we might be biased, but we think they make ideal Christmas gifts.

In each you get around 200 high-quality glossy pages, filled the finest writing and photography. It is an attractive package that is a pleasure to hold. In many ways, these are coffee-table collectors’ items.

There are plenty to choose from, too. You might be drawn to our celebration of all things supercar, or to our dedicated bookazines covering Ferrari, Porsche, Mercedes-Benz, Aston Martin and American classics.

Whatever your decision, we’re sure you won’t regret it and your loved one will thank you for it.

18. Ciao, Stirling (£22.38)

Motorsport fans worldwide were deeply saddened by the loss of Sir Stirling Moss in April 2020, and this book offers a highly personal account of his extraordinary career, written as it is by his friend and former assistant, Valerie ‘Viper’ Pirie.

Although the pair were close until Moss’ death, they only worked together for a period of seven years, from 1958-’65. Nevertheless, Pirie is not at all short of anecdotes to share, and very little is left off the table.

The affection Pirie felt for Moss is clear for all to see, making the 320-page book as warm as it is enlightening, and fully exposing what must have been a very special relationship.

This much is clear even from the book’s title – it apparently refers to how Moss signed off his emails.

Buy Ciao, Stirling here

19. Sealey LED3605RA 360 Rechargeable Inspection Lamp (£34.50)

Now that we’re in the depths of winter, we’re spending more and more of our time in darkness. And if you know someone who might need some extra illumination for working on their classic, this limited-edition lamp might be a good Christmas gift.

Its handy swivel/tilt system means it can be pointed in any direction, so it’s ideal if you’re working at an awkward angle – it can also stand on flat surfaces, thanks to its rubberised magnetic base, and you can even hang it up with its rotating hook.

Its eight LEDs offer considerable brightness – 300 lumens of output and a 360° spread of light – in addition to a 1W LED directional torch.

The 2.2Ahr lithium-ion battery also has a microUSB port for charging devices.

Buy the Sealey LED3605RA 360° Rechargeable Inspection Lamp here

20. Custom Velvet Cushions (£55)

If you think a friend or family member would like a softer, comfier reminder of their classic car, these cushions might be just the ticket.

You can have their classic permanently lasered into a polyester velvet surface, with the image taken from whatever photograph you submit.

Once you’ve sent this, the company will look to get the job done within a single working day, and it will do it in any of 12 different colours – you might like to add a special message, too.

The cushions are £55 each, and you can plump them up with a feather filling for an extra £2.50.

Buy a Custom Velvet Cushion here

21. PROMOTED | Renauld sunglasses (from £550)

Not surprisingly, Renauld’s timeless and streamlined looks were quickly adopted by the motor racing elite of the 1960s. Both Jim Clark and Sir John Whitmore favoured the wind-cheating, wraparound style of Renauld.

Today, Renauld is proud to present the Sixty One, a faithful reproduction of the original sunglasses worn by these racing icons.

In 1969, the Renauld Rossano was immortalised in the film The Italian Job. Now, Renauld has reproduced this icon in 24ct Gold, Palladium and Black with three different coloured lenses.

Every Renauld item is a handmade work of art, immaculately recreated in superior materials and sold in extremely limited quantities.

Buy Renauld sunglasses here

22. Tamiya Audi V8 Touring Car (£199.99)

So far, we’ve featured models from Playmobil and Lego in our gift guide, but if neither of those catch your eye this Christmas, there’s always this remote-controlled model assembly Audi from Tamiya instead.

It’s a replica of the V8 model in which Frank Biela won the 1991 DTM title, and comes complete with a polycarbonate body, as well as intricate silver-rimmed and gold-spoked tyres, and four-wheel double-wishbone suspension.

The price will depend on whether you intend to drive it or not – it’ll be £129.99 without the radio, battery or charger, or £199.99 all in.

Buy a Tamiya Audi V8 Touring Car here

23. Curb T-shirts (from $29.99)

Curb’s wide range of motoring T-shirts includes ‘The Manual Gearbox Preservation Society’: this features large logos on both the front and back of a black shirt. 

Alternatively, you can have a transaxle graphic with yellow type on grey or ‘black heather’, or you can browse numerous other items, such as keyrings and travel coffee mugs.

T-shirts are priced at $29.99, and hoodies are also available at $59.

Buy Curb T-shirts here

24. NOCO Boost XL GB50 ($149.95)

This is notable for its compact size – indeed, you could say that it’s ‘small but mighty’, and perfect for fitting snugly into the boot of a classic. Once again, you could give the gift of peace of mind this festive season.

Despite its modest dimensions, it feels robust, and comes with a reverse-polarity protection safety feature. Most of all, it’s notable for its significant power output – under rigorous C&SC testing, 1500A was easily capable of getting a number of classic motors up and running again.

The manufacturer claims that it can do almost 30 starts on just one charge, although it’s advisable to monitor its power level so you don’t find yourself in a sticky situation. Charging is done via USB, and you’ll also get a storage bag and handy built-in LED torch for your money. It comes highly recommended.

Buy the NOCO Boost XL GB50 here

25. REVS ART (from £25)

A superb range of prints featuring the drawings of Rev Adam Gompertz, better known as REVS ART, is available to buy. 

Gompertz’s style, inspired by US automotive designers, uses colour Canson paper as a base for his atmospheric drawings. Priced from £25, the limited-edition prints include the Volvo P1800, Porsche 911 RS, Bugatti T59 and more.

Buy REVS ART here

26. Diamondbrite Ceramic Shampoo (£11.95)

Diamondbrite has released a trio of new ceramic cleaning products, headed by its Ceramic Shampoo.

The pH-neutral formula should be kind to waxed paint finishes, and the manufacturer says ceramic polymers leave a hydrophobic coating that repels water and dirt.

The chemistry is beyond us, but we were impressed by the thickness and quantity of suds, which lasted the duration of our test wash.

It cleaned well, making short work of baked-on dirt and tree sap, and at £11.95 for a 500ml bottle it’s not too hard on the wallet. A good mid-range product.

Buy Diamondbrite Ceramic Shampoo here

27. Suixtil Grand Prix Driving Gloves (£85)

Whether you’re sitting down at the wheel of your own classic car, or admiring another from afar at an event, these gloves – available in either brown or blue – could be a fantastic addition to your ensemble. 

They are based on classic ‘50s designs, and are made with great precision and care for your comfort, featuring lamb’s leather and a knitted upper, as well as a seamless palm – enhancing the luxury and pleasure of your motoring experience.

Buy a pair of Suixtil Grand Prix Driving Gloves here

28. Mamod Brookland Tourer (£300)

It would be a bit of a stretch to call it a ‘toy’, but if anything in our Christmas gift guide is going to appeal to children and adults alike, it must surely be this.

The Mamod Brookland Tourer is a fully operational steam-powered machine, and as well as being brilliant fun, it also owes something to the traction engines of years gone by, meaning younger users can learn something from it, too. There shouldn’t really be anything but the price holding you back – what’s not to like?

Buy a Mamod Brookland Tourer here

29. PROMOTED | Motorfolio Personalised Automotive Folios (from £89.99)

These handcrafted leather-bound folios, adorned with an engraved plate for the recipient, are the ideal way to keep clear records of a vehicle’s history and information, ensuring ease of reference while also enhancing the value of a beloved car.

The bespoke folios are available in five colours and can be supplied with record sheets for handwritten notes about the owner’s pride and joy (as well as a USB containing editable copies of sheets for printing), along with sleeves and heavy-duty wallets.

Buy a Personalised Automotive Folio here

30. Playforever Turbo (£27.80)

The latest addition to the Playforever collection is this homage to the mid-’80s Marlboro McLarens, the aptly named ‘Turbo’.

It showcases all that was bonkers about that particular era of Formula One – big wings, chunky slick tyres, and engines that were powerful, unpredictable and often unreliable.

It looks just like a toy, and is officially classified as such, although you might just be content to marvel at it on your shelf as you recall a legendary bygone age of motorsport – yes, we think they’re lovely and we might be dropping hints!

The McLaren livery isn’t the only one on offer, either – a glance at Playforever’s website reveals JPS Lotus, Ferrari and Benetton-esque options, too.

Buy the Playforever Turbo here

31. Bonnet art (from £650)

This could be the ideal way for a classic car enthusiast to fill some empty wall space: retro bonnet art.

When you’ve chosen from one of six legendary liveries – including Rothmans, Martini and Gulf – your design will be placed onto a Porsche G-series bonnet, complete with the famous badge.

It’s not exactly the most compact gift in the world. It’s 1195mm wide and 1290mm high, so you’ll need to make sure the designated wall is big enough, and you’ll be waiting from two to three weeks for it, too – so it definitely isn’t a Christmas Eve panic purchase – but we think such a professional product is more than worth that time.

Buy Victor Agency’s bonnet art here

32. Rear View Prints (from £18.99)

If you’re hankering for a piece of classic car art this Christmas, but just can’t settle on the one for you, Rear View Prints might just have the solution.

So much is covered – from race tracks to racing drivers, road cars to silver-screen motoring icons – that you’re almost sure to be able to find something for anyone.

Whatever your chosen image may be, you can have it in a variety of forms – not just prints, but posters and T-shirts as well.

Buy Rear View Prints here

33. Suixtil Motor Racing Beanie (£65)

We covered Suixtil’s stylish Grand Prix Driving Gloves earlier in this gift guide, and now you can pair them with this fetching beanie.

A pair of driving goggles, reminiscent of those worn by Juan Manuel Fangio himself, sit emblazoned atop this lambswool and soft cashmere hat, so your head is sure to be nice and toasty – as are your ears, thanks to the all-important flaps on either side.

Buy a Suixtil Motor Racing Beanie here

34. Moto-Lita Mark Four (from £196.80)

A classic car needs a truly classic steering wheel design, and this is exactly what Moto-Lita has been offering drivers for more than 50 years.

The three-spoked Mark Four wheel is available in four sizes, from 12in to 15in, so it’s likely you’ll find just the right size. You can also choose from a number of different materials to ensure it matches nicely, including Alcantara, suede and perforated leather.

Buy a Moto-Lita Mark Four here

35. Heel Tread socks (from £6.77)

Did you really think we’d write a Christmas gift guide without including some socks?

These, of course, will keep your feet warm in style – and while commemorating some of history’s most iconic cars from the road, race track and rally stage, so whether it’s the Volkswagen Golf GTI, the six-wheeled Tyrrell P34 or the Lancia Delta Integrale you want, there’s a sock for you.

In fact, we haven’t even scratched the surface with those examples – there are many, many more on Heel Tread’s website, and we highly recommend taking a look. The classic car lover in your life will never be so pleased to unwrap socks this December!

Low socks are priced from £6.77, standard socks from £8.46 and high socks from £10.16.

Buy Heel Tread socks here

36. Scalextric Gulf Racing Set (£99.99)

We are sure that many households bring out the Scalextric during family Christmases, and now one of motorsport’s greatest liveries can join the festive fun with this Gulf set.

It features two modern cars – a GT and an LMP – in those famous blue and orange colours, and the 4.8m of track can be configured into four different layouts. Perfect if you know someone who’d enjoy some small-scale racing.

Buy a Scalextric Gulf Racing Set here

37. Murray Walker: Incredible! (£20)

One of the first books published about Murray Walker since the great man died at the age of 97 in March this year is also likely to be one of the finest.

It’s produced by his friend and former paddock colleague Maurice Hamilton, and, like his book about Niki Lauda, Hamilton’s focus here is very much on the professional side of Murray.

Every single commentary quote is read in Murray’s unmistakable way; it is impossible not to, because while he was inimitable professionally, for fans he is the most often and most readily imitated: “And look at that!”

Hamilton is the ideal man to tell this story, using sources as wide as the Royal Automobile Club newsletter to Desert Island Discs in the same chapter. His wonderful way with words suits the story of Murray perhaps better than anyone.

A brilliant tribute to a brilliant man.

Buy Murray Walker: Incredible! here

38. K&Y Fob (€50)

These fobs have been steadily gaining popularity since their introduction a few years ago, and it’s not at all hard to see why.

They’re made from high-quality genuine leather, and they offer you a choice not only of colours, but also of inscriptions. Our photograph features ‘La chiave va a sinistra’, or ‘key is on the left’, a reference to Porsche’s classic racing cars.

Buy a K&Y Fob here

39. Helmet pendant light (£199)

Make a dark and dingy office or garage that bit brighter this Christmas with one of these repurposed motorcycle helmets from Made to Last.

The lights are made in-house by the company at its studio in Derbyshire, and they’re available in a number of different styles – but they all come with an Edison-style LED filament bulb.

Buy a helmet pendant light here

40. Clarke Tool Chest/Cabinet Combo (£227.98)

There is possibly no better place for classic car enthusiasts to organise and store their precious tools than in one of these. At £227, it’s reasonably priced, and a good use of your garage, too.

We think it looks particularly smart in red and, pleasing aesthetics aside, it offers you more than enough nooks and crannies for storage – 13 drawers and the spacious cabinet. It’s also on wheels, so you can move it around your working space as much as you need to.

Buy a Clarke Tool Chest/Cabinet Combo here

41. Porsche Classic Communication Management (from £1230.01)

Do you know a classic Porsche owner looking to bring 21st-century tech into his or her car in a non-obtrusive way?

These (admittedly rather pricey) dashboard units will give all that modern electronic wizardry a pleasingly retro feel – and eliminate the need for phone holders, messy wires and unwanted extra LED screens.

Buy Porsche Classic Communication Management here

42. AlcoSense Pro (£149.99)

Did you know that you can still have alcohol in your system the next day? We all like to think that we’re sensible and would never drink and drive, especially when feeling hungover – but what if we didn’t have a hangover, and didn’t know we were doing just that?

Of course, Christmas parties mean this time of year could make this a real risk and the AlcoSense Pro is here to help. It uses an extremely accurate fuel cell sensor, a slightly smaller version of that used by several police forces, and has a colour screen clearly showing your alcohol reading in seconds.

Other features include a Blow Coach to ensure that your reading is even more accurate, a Time Until Sober forecast and a re-test alert, with more than 40 country destination alcohol limits pre-programmed.

There are extra blow tubes and a backlit blow tube receptor, perfect for dark mornings. Results are even fine-tuned to compliment the outside temperature. It’s maybe not the gift they’ve always wanted, but they could be very grateful for it one day.

Buy an AlcoSense Pro here

43. Car Racing 1968 (£85)

Back in 1965, a passionate group of motorsport photographers laid the foundations for one of the biggest sporting photographic agencies in the world, the DPPI.

That sporting tradition continues to this day with in excess of 10 million images in the archives covering sports from all over the world. Opening up the vaults and selecting 1968 for the latest in the yearly series, the publisher has created an exceptionally high-quality coffee-table special.

With such a wealth of images to choose from, it’s no surprise that every single photograph is simply wonderful. F1 is at the heart of the selection, but because there are 240 pages, other areas such as rallying and sports cars are well served with equally stunning shots.

Buy Car Racing 1968 here

44. Original Jaguar E-type (£65)

When it comes to checking the originality of your E-type, or restoring a car to exacting factory specification, there can be no better tool than the latest instalment of the Porter Press ‘Original’ series.

C&SC contributor Malcolm McKay’s updated second edition of Philip Porter’s own 1989 title expands and builds on the earlier book, delving into the model in even greater detail to create a truly formidable work.

Split into four sections, the book covers Series 1 3.8, Series 1 4.2, Series 2 and Series 3 models, beginning with the location of chassis and body numbers before systematically and meticulously covering every element and area of the car.

The level of detail is incredible; if there’s a question over a feature’s originality, chances are it will be covered in this book, a beautifully designed and illustrated production with high-quality photographs.

Buy Original Jaguar E-type here

45. Diamondbrite Interior Cleaner (£5.95)

With this cleaner, you can restore the interior of your classic car to its former glory, and all you need is the accompanying spray attachment and a cloth to get started.

We tested it on vinyl upholstery, which proved to be a very easy process – there was no offputting odour, and as well as tackling the newer stains, it made short work of older ones, too.

Buy Diamondbrite Interior Cleaner here

46. Sealey SPB160W Power Pack (£167.94)

If you know someone who needs a power boost while working on their classic car, this could be the perfect solution – and a super Christmas present.

It gives the same output as a conventional three-pin household plug, and is accompanied by two 12V DC ports, as well as standard USB, QC3.0 and Type-C.

The 1.5kg pack offers considerable battery capacity – 31,200mAh, to be exact – but this means you might need to wait that little bit longer for a full charge.

Buy a Sealey SPB160W Power Pack here

47. The Automobile: An Indian Love Affair (£21.99)

India’s relationship with the car runs deeper than most, fuelled by a wealthy aristocracy and the influence of British colonialism.

Gautam Sen is one of the few to attempt to chart this national fascination, and begins with a detailed history of the early days, from RN Mathewson’s famous Brooke Swan Car to Stella Mudge’s otherworldly Talbot-Lago T150CC SS sports coupé.

Sen reviews the construction of cars in India, beginning with the false-start Green-Simpson steam car and covering Ford’s presence from 1926 before delving into India’s own people’s car, the Maruti 800.

The story wouldn’t be complete without mentioning India’s passion for two wheels, which Sen covers in depth, before closing on the art of the automobile, with interesting sections on photography and Bollywood.

Sen’s well-written, accessible and diligently researched book gives an interesting overview of India’s rich and varied transport history.

Buy The Automobile: An Indian Love Affair here

48. Laser Tools stepped car ramps (£76.99)

Laser Tools has introduced a new set of versatile stepped car ramps, priced at £76.99 per pair. 

Made from light yet robust polypropylene, each ramp measures 600 x 210mm, with a maximum height of 130mm.

The ramps are moulded to offer three different heights, so are ideal for making sure your car or motorhome sits level but also useful for working on a classic.

They’re handy for laying up your car for winter, too, with a shape that helps prevent flat-spots and tyre damage.

Buy Laser Tools stepped car ramps here

49. 111 more Porsche stories that you should know (£20)

Following on from the entertaining 111 Porsche stories that you should know, this book carries the idea through for another set about the famous German marque.

Some tales may be familiar, but the delight in this kind of format, dealing with a single subject/car/person/model/event in detail, is that within a few hundred words you get a far better understanding of something you thought you already knew.

As with the cars themselves, the book provides a backdrop of details that make Porsches much more than the sum of their parts. Consequently, what makes it so good is that it tells relatively small stories, but all add to the huge legend of the Porsche brand.

We particularly enjoyed learning more about the Allgaier plantation tractor, complete with its plant-friendly streamlined bodywork, which is probably the slowest Porsche ever made at 2.6kph.

There’s even a photograph of Grand Prix legend Juan Manuel Fangio riding one, wearing the coolest sunglasses. Brilliant. Perfect for the Porsche fan in your life this Christmas.

Buy 111 more Porsche stories that you should know here

50. Lost Beauties (£23.99)

Focusing its attention on a set of 50 different models, Lost Beauties shines a spotlight on lesser-known classics that fulfil the book’s brief in different ways.

Some, such as the 1918 Pic-Pic, are from forgotten marques; the 1913 Stutz Bearcat represents the leading collector cars whose stars have begun to fade; while others are simply incredible examples of fantastic machines that had been quite literally forgotten, as in the case of the 1925 Bugatti T22 Brescia that was left to languish at the bottom of a lake for decades.

The work majors on some beautiful photography by the brilliant Michel Zumbrunn, as each car is wonderfully illustrated with a set of high-quality studio images, often spread across two pages. 

The dedicated enthusiast may be left wanting a bit more detail, but as an introduction to rare cars it does well. It would make a lovely Christmas present for those who are just starting out on their classic car journey.

Buy Lost Beauties here

51. Classic race jacket (£199)

Inspired by the Shelby team fashions, Helstons has produced a stylish classic autumn jacket.

Appropriately called the Cobra, the design is available in blue, brown or khaki, each with white stripes on the front. Features include mesh breathable sleeves, three pockets and poppered adjusters.

It has a fixed waterproof membrane and removable thermal gilet, all for £199.

Buy a classic race jacket here

52. Laser Tools magnetic wire-soldering clamp (£56.06)

Soldering seems to be one of those jobs that requires a minimum of three hands – or so we thought – but it just got easier thanks to Laser Tools’ magnetic wire-soldering clamp.

Fix the magnetic base to a suitable area and attach each of the clamps to either side of the wire to be soldered. 

The 200mm flexible shaft is usefully long and you needn’t worry about it falling off thanks to the powerful magnet, which is capable of holding up to 2.3kg of weight. It’s priced at £56.06.

Buy a Laser Tools magnetic wire-soldering clamp here

53. Limited100 handcrafted wall art (from £119)

Add a touch of exclusivity to your gift giving this Christmas with these bespoke classic car prints from Limited100.

The company offers a range of images, with just 100 of each produced, as the name suggests. They are all printed, hand-signed, numbered and framed in Nottingham using sustainable, museum-quality materials.

These works are available in print-only and ready-to-hang framed, natural wood canvas and aluminium composite formats.

Buy Limited100 wall art here

54. REVS Garagistas card game (£6)

Bicester Heritage’s reverend in residence, Adam Gompertz, has released a new automotive card game reminiscent of Top Trumps.

REVS Garagistas is compiled using cars from the Revs Limiter online community and includes everything from the Ford Fiesta 1.1 to the Fiat S76 ‘Beast of Turin’.

The deck comprises 52 cars, detailing the peak power and torque, top speed and 0-60 time of each car, plus the number left on the road and an assessment of the car’s cultural impact. A bit of lighthearted fun at £6 per pack. An ideal Christmas stocking filler.

Buy the REVS Garagistas card game here

55. Ferrari Formula 1 (£40)

If you’ve always wondered what differentiates a Ferrari 158 F1 from a 156, or when Maranello changed tyre manufacturer (or ‘tire’, in this US-published book), this is for you.

That shouldn’t downplay former Autosport man Stuart Codling’s rich effort as some sort of drab fact-fest. Instead it describes what made each GP car tick, right up to the F1000 of the disrupted 2020 season, but without being overbearing.

Codling’s knowledge gives an easy lightness to each short section of car-by-car biography, grouped by decade. Nor does it really touch on the race results in each car’s four or five pages except notable wins, which again saves space for the more important engineering matters.

The imagery might not be new, most from the former LAT archive, but that doesn’t mean it’s any less absorbing, and it’s broken up nicely by studio shots from C&SC’s own James Mann. Eye-catching in its design and digestible in its writing, this is one for reference libraries, tifosi and enthusiasts alike.

Buy Ferrari Formula 1 here

56. Goodwood Lotus baseball cap (£25)

To celebrate the 2021 theme at the Festival of Speed, Goodwood has produced a Lotus baseball cap.

The black design features the event logo, a Lotus badge and yellow ‘The Maestros, Motorsport’s Great All-Rounders’ embroidered script.

With an adjustable metal clasp on the back, one size fits all for £25.

Buy a Goodwood Lotus baseball cap here

57. Morgan X Piston Gin (£45)

Despite the uncomfortable relationship between booze and cars, automotive-themed gin is the latest craze.

Morgan’s collaboration with fellow Malvern resident Piston Distillery is particularly interesting, because it has been infused with ash wood in a nod to the car’s timber body frame. The result is a really distinctive nose and flavour.

Traditional tonic leads to a rather astringent taste, but with the recommended ginger ale and blackberries it is truly delicious: the sweetness of the mixer offsets the sharp, slightly smoky gin.

It costs £45 a bottle – and a very nice bottle it is, too, with a hefty stainless-steel piston as a lid.

Buy Morgan X Piston Gin here

58. Martini Racing jacket (£191.74)

As worn by various 1980s rally legends, the iconic Sparco-Martini bomber-style rally jacket is once again available from Demon Tweeks.

Authentic details include embroidered sleeve patches, side pockets, race suit-style epaulettes, elasticated cuffs and a snug PolyMide outer shell – so it could be ideal for these cold Christmas conditions.

Available in five sizes, it costs £191.74.

Buy a Martini Racing jacket here

59. Art of Rally (from £13.69)

There can be few more beautiful driving games than Art of Rally. Produced by Funselektor Labs Inc, the creator of Absolute Drift, this new simulator offers a range of 50-plus classic rally cars, from the Volvo 240 to the Lancia Stratos, for the timed stages in all climates and on all terrains.

The stylised landscapes from the game’s overhead view are stunning, mated to compulsive driving dynamics, be it Ford Escort or Group B Audi quattro. It’s available on Windows, Mac and Linux platforms, as well as Xbox consoles and the Nintendo Switch.

Buy Art of Rally here

60. Be Seen Screen (£54.95)

Give the gift of peace of mind this Christmas…

Modern ‘smart’ motorways may be safer in theory, but there’s no doubt that classic car owners share a very real fear of breaking down in a live lane with no hard shoulder on which to escape. Anything to mitigate the dangers if that does happen is a welcome addition to our toolbox, as we found with the Be Seen Screen.

It takes up very little space and can quickly be attached by suction cups to a bootlid or rear ’screen. Plus, it has the same level of reflectivity as an emergency vehicle, ensuring it remains visible even in dim, damp conditions – and it saves you from having to walk along the carriageway to place/retrieve a warning triangle.

Buy the Be Seen Screen here

61. Classic car handkerchief (£7.99)

Looking for a stylish pocket square for that favourite sports jacket, or to stand out among the Christmas party guests? If so, Motor Gifts has the answer.

The 14in silk novelty handkerchief features the repeated front ends of a range of pre-war greats including Bentley, Lincoln, Bugatti, Packard and Daimler. It’s priced at £7.99.

Buy a classic car handkerchief here

62. Draper Tools jack (£358.80)

Think one three-tonne jack is the same as another? Think again, says Draper Tools.

This £299.94 ‘Evolution’ jack has powerful twin pistons, enabling the saddle to be raised to a full height of 580mm, 80mm higher than most standard jacks.

What’s more, the internal magnetic filtration system keeps the pump’s hydraulic oil free from contaminants, ensuring a long life.

Buy a Draper Tools jack here

63. Classic cars playing cards (£5)

Piatnik offers a wonderful range of playing cards with a wealth of nostalgic themes.

Its £5 illustrated classic car set features 52 different designs, from the Mercedes-Benz 300SL to the Jaguar E-type.

Among the artistic bridge double packs (£8) are ‘Vintage Vehicles’ and ‘Classic Cars’, plus single warplane sets.

Buy classic cars playing cards here

64. Aston Martin (£20)

Aston Martin has spent its life ducking and weaving from one hardship to another. In part that’s why, more than 100 years on, the brand still holds the power to bring out emotions in a way other marques can only dream of.

Author Ben Collins is a lifelong fan, having first been introduced to his father’s Vantage as a boy in spectacular fashion from the passenger seat. In a career that went from racing driver to Top Gear’s white-suited mystery man, and now a stunt driver for Bond, someone who spends their day charging about in a DB5 with guns and ejector seats is well-placed to tell this story.

With an often-irreverent tone, but never superficial, the history of great achievements is mixed with abject failures, all told in a hugely entertaining style and with a fine degree of research.

Tall tales of racing bravery are included for good measure, and Collins intersperses his own accounts of driving his heroes from the past to great effect. A fantastically told story from someone who clearly has a deep-rooted passion.

Buy Aston Martin here

65. Classic car lunchbox and bottle (from £9)

Tyrrell Katz has produced another ideal gift for car-mad youngsters with its new lunchbox and bottle.

The colourful containers feature fun artwork of a Jaguar E-type, vintage saloon, VW Beetle, Jeep and hot rod.

The family business, run by illustrator James Tyrrell, also offers a range of transport-inspired prints, towels, bags and dinner sets for children. The lunchbox will set you back £9, while the bottle with straw will cost you £12.

Buy classic car lunchboxes and bottles here

66. A Race with Love and Death (£8.49)

Richard Williams’ account of Richard Seaman’s extraordinary career is a must-read book. Completely free of hyperbole, it is long overdue and, unlike many racing books, very well-priced.

In addition to that, it’s an accessible tale, too – no expertise in motorsport or Seaman himself is necessary to become lost in its pages. Whether you have prior knowledge or not, it is highly recommended.

Buy A Race with Love and Death here

67. quattro (£50)

It’s hard to think of anyone better suited to relate the history of the many – many – four-wheel-drive Audis campaigned over 25 seasons than Jeremy Walton.

His story moves at quite a pace, and even then you feel that the veteran journalist and historian has been constrained despite this thumping hardback running to 304 pages.

Profusely illustrated, it recalls how the quattro series came into being (the use of lower case being Audi’s), before moving on to how the works equipe responded to the Italian, French and British threats to its dominance as rallying stretched to Group B regulations, plus DTM, BTCC and other European tin-top racing bids.

What makes particularly interesting reading is the text given over to the Stateside campaigns, the chapter on the assault on Pikes Peak being a favourite. The same is true of the section dedicated to the various Trans-Am and IMSA sorties – so you’ll still learn plenty, even if you had a strong grasp of the subject going in.

Buy quattro here

68. Tjaarda: Master of Proportions ($150)

There are certain books that you just know from first sight are going to be a great read, and this is one such example.

It’s charming from the off, beginning with candid family snaps and baby photos of Stevens Thompson Tjaarda van Sterkenberg (no wonder everyone just called him Tom). Subsequent sections cover a timeline of Tjaarda’s working life, split into chunks covering The Ghia Years, The Pininfarina Years, Ghia Once Again, then short stints at Fiat and Rayton-Fissore, followed by his long and creative freelance career.

Across 474 pages it’s never dry, with Tjaarda’s cheerful, enthusiastic voice a constant and some intriguing asides such as the oil embargo and its ramifications on the car industry, or Tom’s views on the future of automobile design. He passed away before he was able to see this beautifully designed and reproduced book in its finished form, but we think he would have approved.

Buy Tjaarda: Master of Proportions here