Christmas is here and we’re all scrambling to find our loved ones something meaningful to show them how much we care, but whilst many classic car enthusiasts know what they would want for themselves, if your loved one is a classic car enthusiast, you may not be so sure on what to get them. Not to fear, we at NAR Group have put together our mini-Christmas buying guide for classic car enthusiasts to help see you through the endless choice of gifts out there.
Whether you are purchasing for a loved one on a big budget, a small budget, or somewhere in between, we have everything covered to get your special someone that little special something this year. From practical car parts and car care products to indulgent once-in-a-lifetime driving experiences, by the end of this article, you may want some of these gifts for yourselves!
Gift Ideas for Classic Car Enthusiasts
Classic car enthusiasts love the whole world of driving as much as they love the details and intricacies of tinkering with their motors, they love the car care, the polishing, the cleaning, and the detailing, they love the driving, the experiencing and feeling of taking long scenic trips, and they love reading about, watching, and seeing others enjoy their classic cars as much as they do. To this end, we’ve created three distinct categories and provided a range of budget options in each category for you. The first category is:
Car Parts: A Practical and Thoughtful Gift
Whilst car parts may not sound so glamorous to you, to a car enthusiast every new car part is like Christmas morning, and really you can never have too many new parts in the eyes of a classic motorist, so don’t fear getting them something practical like this, especially if you know it’s something they’ve been wanting for a while, you’ll make your classic car enthusiast feel like a child again come Christmas morning if you do. So here are some options to choose from when looking to gift car parts this Christmas:
Classic Car tyres
Companies such as Vintage Tyres offer an extensive range of tyres for all classic car brands and in a variety of designs too, so no matter the car your classic enthusiast has, you’ll be able to find something for them. Plus, at this time of year, you can find amazing holiday discounts so you can provide a wonderful high-impact gift without breaking the bank.
Custom Car Covers
Anyone with a vehicle knows how dirty cars get, and how easily it happens. And no one has pride in the pristine detailing of their car more than a classic car enthusiast, so if you want to give them peace of mind that they can always jump into their motor looking fresh and polished every time, consider getting a car cover to help protect their car from the dirt and the elements
Restoration Tools and Car Care Kits
If you’ve spent any time with a classic car enthusiast you know one of their favourite pastimes is to sit and detail their car, inside and out and top to bottom. It’s a ritual and a labour of love that can occupy them for hours, even days at a time, so consider getting them something to help them along this Christmas. Whether that’s a high-quality restoration kit, a full detailing set, or a premium car washing kit designed for classic cars, there’s a plethora of amazing restoration and car care tools out there and we know your classic car enthusiast will love them!
Memberships: The Gift That Keeps on Giving
In some instances a practical gift isn’t practical, as classic car enthusiasts do love to ensure they’re stocked up on all the parts and car care kits they’ll ever need, so in that case you can consider getting them a membership to classic car club or related organisation so they can enjoy your gift all year round.
Classic Car Club Membership
For those of your loved ones who love meeting like-minded people, consider getting them a membership to your local Classic Car Club. Classic Car Clubs present opportunities to meet other enthusiasts, marvel at each other’s cars, get recommendations and advice, go for classic days out and much more. For the social car enthusiast who hasn’t already joined a classic car club, this could be the perfect present for them this year.
National Trust Membership
Whilst not strictly a classic car-related gift, the National Trust offers hundreds of scenic adventures up and down the UK which make for perfect excuses to take that classic car for a spin. The only thing a classic car enthusiast needs more than an excuse to work on their car is an excuse to drive it, so consider purchasing a membership where they can take you on a day out so you can share in their hobby together and sightsee some of the UK’s historic landmark locations as you do.
Magazine Subscriptions
If you’re on a budget, or don’t know the person well enough to commit to a more specific classic car gift, consider getting them a subscription to one of many popular classic car magazines. We have options like Classic & Sports Car or Practical Classics, to name just a few, but whichever subscription you choose they’ll be grateful to be able to keep up with the latest news from the classic car industry, gain expert restoration and car care tips, the occasional gift, and of course, just enjoy being immersed in classic car culture, this simple gift is one which you can’t get wrong.
Gift Vouchers: Flexible and fuss-free
Gift vouchers are a great option for those who already have it all, or who you can never get it right for. It’s not a problem really, some people are just hard to buy for and often prefer to get themselves something they need when they need it, as opposed to a gift they didn’t anticipate and now aren’t sure what to do with. So choosing a classic car-related gift voucher can be an excellent way to allow them to treat themselves to something they want the moment they want it.
Car Part Retailers
Retailers like Halfords or Frost Auto Restoration offer gift cards that can be preloaded with a given amount giving your classic car enthusiasts a great option to go out and treat themselves, or save it for a day when they need an emergency spare part.
Classic Car Hire
If a membership is too expensive, plenty of companies offer classic cars for hire which is perfect for the enthusiast who wants to experience other classics, or for the enthusiast who can’t afford their own classic. With companies like HCHG Classic Cars offering vouchers to hire vehicles for a day, or weekend, start with prices from around £150, but provide an experience your loved one won’t soon forget.
Driving Experiences
For those car lovers who prefer thrills over gentle drives, consider buying them a track day experience, whether it’s for taking their own car out to engage in high-octane thrills, or whether it’s to test drive top-of-the-line sports cars around the world famous race tracks, a gift like this is perfect for the speed lover in your life.
Conclusion
Christmas can be a hassle for those of us who know little about classic cars when we’re trying to buy something for the classic car enthusiast in our lives, but fear not for our guide has provided a nice range of options to help you navigate this festive season. Whether you’re choosing practical items like tyres and car care kits, a memorable experience day, or a yearlong membership to provide joy to them all year round, there’s an option to suit your budget and the recipient.
Happy Christmas shopping and best wishes to you all for a vintage holiday season from us, here at NAR Group.
